Anisakidosis
Anisakidosis is a parasitic disease caused by eating raw or inadequately cooked fish infected with larvae of the Anisakis worm. These larvae can lodge in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and other animals and cause severe inflammation, ulcers and bleeding. In this post, you'll learn how to recognize and treat anisakidosis in your dog.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anisakidosis can vary depending on the location and number of larvae. The most common signs are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- blood in the stool or vomit
- Fever
- Cough or difficulty breathing (if the larvae migrate to the lungs).
Symptoms may appear within hours or days of eating infected fish. However, in some cases, the larvae may remain in the body for months or years without causing symptoms.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of anisakidosis can be difficult because symptoms are nonspecific and can be confused with other diseases. To diagnose anisakidosis, your veterinarian will need to perform a thorough examination of your dog and may order a blood test, x-ray or endoscopy. An endoscopy involves inserting a thin tube with a camera through the mouth or nose into the gastrointestinal tract to look for larvae. If possible, the larvae are removed with forceps and sent to the laboratory for identification.
Treatment
Treatment of anisakidosis depends on the severity of the disease. In mild cases, it may be sufficient to give your dog medication for nausea and pain and offer him a gentle diet. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to surgically remove the larvae or address complications such as intestinal obstruction or perforation. Your veterinarian will recommend the best treatment option for your dog.
Prevention
The best prevention for anisakidosis is to not feed your dog raw or undercooked fish. If you do give your dog fish, you should cook it at 60°C for at least 10 minutes or freeze it at -20°C for at least 24 hours to kill the larvae. You should also make sure that your dog does not have access to waste or carcasses of marine animals, which could also be infected.
Anisakidosis is a serious disease that can cause your dog a lot of suffering. If you suspect your dog has anisakidosis, or if you have accidentally fed him raw or undercooked fish, you should take him to the vet immediately. The sooner the disease is detected and treated, the better your dog's chances of recovery.
The authors assume that a veterinarian should be consulted if an animal is ill and that medication should only be taken after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist. Only an individual examination can lead to a diagnosis and treatment decision.
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