Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Salmon poisoning disease causing vomiting and diarrhea in Malayan sun
By Gai, Jackie J & Marks, Stanley L·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·Oakland Zoo, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Salmon poisoning disease in two Malayan sun bears.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two Malayan sun bears were brought in after they started vomiting, having diarrhea, feeling lethargic, and not wanting to eat about a week after eating live trout. Tests showed signs of infection and inflammation in their digestive systems, and a specific parasite linked to salmon poisoning disease was found in their feces. The bears were treated with a combination of antibiotics and medications to help their stomachs, and within a week, they were eating normally again and their stool was back to normal. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for recovery from this potentially deadly disease.
People also search for: sun bear vomiting treatment · salmon poisoning disease in bears · why is my bear not eating
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: 2 captive sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) were evaluated because of acute onset of vomiting, mucoid diarrhea, lethargy, and anorexia 1 week after eating live trout from a northern California reservoir. CLINICAL FINDINGS: In 1 of the bears, a CBC and serum biochemical analyses revealed mild anemia, mild eosinophilia, moderate lymphopenia, moderate hypoalbuminemia, and high serum G-glutamyltransferase activity. Ultrasonographic examination of the same bear revealed ascites and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Histologic examination of gastrointestinal tract biopsy specimens revealed moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic gastritis, enteritis, and colitis. Ova of Nanophyetus salmincola, the trematode vector of Neorickettsia helminthoeca (a rickettsial organism that causes salmon poisoning disease), were detected in fecal samples from both bears. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The bears were treated with oxytetracycline, doxycycline, praziquantel, and famotidine. Within 1 week after initiation of treatment, the appetite and fecal consistency of each bear were considered normal. Fecal ova shedding began 4 days after onset of clinical signs and ceased 9 days later. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Salmon poisoning disease can be rapidly fatal in untreated animals, but if diagnosed early and treated appropriately, full recovery can be achieved. Domestic dogs and captive exotic bears are highly susceptible to clinical disease after ingestion of trematode-infected fish. Salmon poisoning disease may develop outside the geographic range in which the causative organism is endemic as a result of the transplantation of infected fish for sport fishing; veterinarians practicing in areas where infected fish may be transplanted should be aware of appropriate diagnostic and treatment protocols.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18279100/