Labs...Salmon poisoning....

Lured In · 12-16-2002, 04:10 PM

I know this has been discussed before; however, it was primarily directed toward freshly caught salmon.

Saturday, my buddy and I were hunting the Columbia in a zipperlip location. :tongue: On the way out my lab started running all over the place, really amped up by something she was smelling. She would stop and sniff and I could not see what she was sniffing at. It wasn't until things got lighter I realized there were tons of dead, spawned out salmon lying all over the beach and grass.

Does anyone know how long the 'poisoning' effects of salmon blood lasts? I don't think she actually bit into any of them, but I am curious as to if this would still pose a potential danger. :whazzup:

Any thoughts?

Just out of curiousity, what are some of the early signs of salmon poisoning?

[ 12-16-2002, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: Lured In ]

Firedog · 12-16-2002, 05:20 PM

Lured, My lab got it from a Salmon that was so rotten there were only bits and pieces of it left.

The incubation period is 6-10 days, some of the first signs are not eating and lethargy. Advanced signs are Diareaha and vommiting. Do a search on here and there are a few links put up with info.
http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultim...c;f=1;t=017298

[ 12-16-2002, 06:24 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

Lured In · 12-16-2002, 06:13 PM

No symptoms as of yet, but I will call the vet just in case and get his recommendation.

Thanks again.

Joe · 12-16-2002, 07:21 PM

My Chocolate Lab appears to be immune to salmon poisoning. I always bleed our fish in a cooler and dump the blood out when I fillet the fish. She gulps down the blood jellow stuff and never got sick.

I have heard of other Chocolate labs that are immune.

My last dog was a Springer and she got it from a rotten carcass like you described. There is no doubt about it when they do come down with it.

bigshark · 12-16-2002, 08:30 PM

Lured In

When your dog gets into salmon or you think there was a chance it might have gotten into salmon..........the first thing I would do is force the dog to swallow a quarter cup, two ounces, of hydrogen peroxide. It take about 10 to 15 miniutes but the dog will vomit its stomach contents up(everything remaining). This is a big plus in the treatment.
Check with your vet to verify this. Good Luck

crabbait · 12-16-2002, 10:56 PM

I carry tetracycline whenever I take my dog in salmon country. If I think he may have been exposed, I start treatment. So far so good.

WildHawg · 12-17-2002, 05:49 AM

Disclaimer:
I am not a Vet, I just play one on TV.
I have always given my dogs a little salmon when they are six months old or so, in an effort to test their immunity, or to give them some in the future. None of my dogs have ever died from this procedure, and it gives me a certain peace of mind knowing exactly when they were exposed. If they were to get sick (my last 2 labs have been immune), I would have got tetracycline after they became moderately sick (like I have before), cured them, and they become immune for the future.
Also, it's not just Salmonids that carry this fluke. Warmwater gamefish, as well as trout can be carriers as well.
Some vets will tell you it is very dangerous to "salmon" your dogs. Others, like mine, concur that if it is inevitable that your dogs will be exposed, you might as well do it under controlled circumstances.
My 8 year old, and her pup were both born immune, and I let them chew on the heads and collars every year--it is really good for them. Remember the old addage, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".
Good luck and do what you think is right. One thing though--if your dog does show some signs (yeah they can get it from putrid salmon), I'd let it progress just a little bit. Most dogs, if treated after the onset of symptoms will be just fine and develop an immunity which is actually passed down in many cases from mother to pup. It has worked for me.

tailchaser · 12-17-2002, 07:35 AM

My lab has had it twice getting into s***** people have cleaned on the river bed. Both times the vet told me to pump him full of antibiotics and he's come through both times just fine. You'll notice they start looking down and pretty droozy all of a sudden. They start to drink a lot which is a natural sign of sickness and won't touch their food. A vet can give you the proper anti's for him.

tc

tailchaser · 12-17-2002, 10:16 AM

That was S*C*R*A*P*S by the way, I wasn't cussing. :grin:

tc

Birdnest · 12-19-2002, 08:40 AM

Joe,

Sounds like an urban legend as far as choc's being immune. Even once a dog has had salmon poisioning, they are not immune. They might be resistant to that particular strain, but there are several strains out there. Talk with your vet for the straight scoop. Assuming your dog is immune is a dangerous mistake.

Birdnest

Joe · 12-19-2002, 05:43 PM

Birdnest,

Every dog I've owned has had salmon poisoning except the Chocolate Lab. I would know if she got it.

According to my vet there are two strains? One is found in our local fish and one is found only in fish in the Elochoman River. Which could stray into the Nestucca any time and get her sick. So... I'm always on the lookout.

I do know a few people with Choc's that say they don't get it. :whazzup:

My lab is kind of strange.

She is the only female dog I have ever seen that runs off males when she is in heat. She is not spayed and has free run of our property and its not a problem. :shocked:

Firedog · 12-19-2002, 06:40 PM

I have an 11 Year old Chocolate and she got it this year. ALso want to say my vet said the same thing Birdnest said about the immunity thing. Not a gaurantee if they have had it before. Just keep an eye on them and if you know the dog got into something start the antibiotics, safest way to go.