Neorickettsia helminthoeca

Also known as: salmon poisoning disease, rickettsia

Common in Oregon, particularly in coastal areas. The bacterium is carried naturally within the body of another parasite – the trematode Nanophyetus, which is referred to commonly as the “salmon poisoning fluke”.  This bacterium is capable of causing illness in dogs that have eaten uncooked, infected fish. Untreated, the sickness is fatal in about 40% of dogs that contract it, however it is treated effectively with antibiotics. Dogs become immune to the bacterium if they survive the first infection.

Target tissue: gut