A dog that recently traveled to British Columbia presents fever and diarrhea; what disease is likely?

A dog that recently traveled to British Columbia presents fever and diarrhea; what disease is likely?

• A. Canine distemper
• B. Leptospirosis
• C. Canine parvovirus
• D. Salmon poisoning

Answer: (D)

Salmon poisoning is the most likely diagnosis here because the dog has fever and diarrhea after traveling to the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia). Salmon poisoning occurs after ingestion of raw salmon or other fish that harbor the trematode Metagonimus species carrying Neorickettsia helminthoeca, an intracellular bacterium. The resulting systemic infection commonly causes fever, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea, and it is classically seen in dogs with recent exposure to fish in this geographic area. This exposure history points to salmon poisoning far more than the other options: distemper typically presents with respiratory or neurologic signs; canine parvovirus causes acute vomiting and severe diarrhea in young, unvaccinated dogs; leptospirosis is tied to contact with contaminated water and has kidney/liver signs. Thus, the regional exposure to raw fish makes salmon poisoning the best fit.

Salmon poisoning is the most likely diagnosis here because the dog has fever and diarrhea after traveling to the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia). Salmon poisoning occurs after ingestion of raw salmon or other fish that harbor the trematode Metagonimus species carrying Neorickettsia helminthoeca, an intracellular bacterium. The resulting systemic infection commonly causes fever, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea, and it is classically seen in dogs with recent exposure to fish in this geographic area. This exposure history points to salmon poisoning far more than the other options: distemper typically presents with respiratory or neurologic signs; canine parvovirus causes acute vomiting and severe diarrhea in young, unvaccinated dogs; leptospirosis is tied to contact with contaminated water and has kidney/liver signs. Thus, the regional exposure to raw fish makes salmon poisoning the best fit.