Owners warned to keep dogs away from raw fish

Those who enjoy fishing and who seek trout and salmon in particular were reminded Wednesday by California Department of Fish & Wildlife officials that they should keep their dogs away from the uncooked fish.

A parasitic flatworm called Nanophyetes salmincola can be transmitted to canines that eat the two types of fish before they're cooked, creating a bacterialike organism in their body and a condition called salmon poisoning disease, officials said in a news release.

The parasite is seen only in dogs; the disease is potentially fatal but is treatable, experts say.

Signs of the disease in a dog include a rise in body temperature, a loss of appetite, listlessness, diarrhea and vomiting. Rapid weight loss also may occur.

Dogs with those symptoms should be taken to a veterinary hospital immediately, officials said. Without treatment, they can die within two weeks of eating uncooked fish containing the parasite.

Fish and Wildlife officials said the flatworm — or fluke — occurs naturally in the waters of Northern California, particularly the northern part of the state.

Trout found in Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties are more likely than not to have the fluke, officials said.

Owners also should keep their dogs away from raw salmon, steelhead and other freshwater fish, officials said. The parasite dies when the fish is cooked properly.

ARIC CRABB — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER A dog plays at the Albany Beach area of McLaughlin Eastshore State Park in Albany. Owners are being warned by state wildlife officials to keep dogs away from raw fish.

JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Nicole Strupeni of South San Francisco paddleboards with her dog Jaxson while at the Oak Shores Day Use Area at Lake Berryessa in Napa in 2021.