Risk to dogs in woodland areas
THE owner of a dog which became seriously ill after walking in Sandringham woods has warned about the possible return of Seasonal Canine Illness.
Sandringham Estate is putting up posters warning of the threat and the Animal Health Trust, which investigates reports of SCI, this week said that walking dogs in any woodland area between August and November is a potential risk.
Barbara Walshaw contacted the Lynn News because she feared her West Highland terrier could die after he developed vomiting, diarrhoea and panting soon after being exercised at Sandringham last Thursday
His symptoms appear to match those of SCI, which is believed to have caused the death of dogs which had been walked at Sandringham and other woods in 2009 and 2010.
Mrs Walshaw said her pet was hospitalised by vets in West Norfolk and South Yorkshire, where she lives. He remained very ill until Monday evening but then started to recover.
“To the amazement of everybody, he is on the mend,” she said.
The Animal Health Trust has focused its investigation into the causes of the mystery dog illness on four sites - Sandringham, Thetford Forest, Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest. Data, including information from dog owners, was still being analysed.
Spokesman Farrah Stevens said the trust had recently received reports of dogs becoming ill after walking at all four sites.
Cases were generally seen between August and November. SCI could affect any size, shape or sex of dog and caused dogs to become very ill very quickly. She urged dog owners to seek veterinary help immediately.
“Our basic advice to any dog owner walking their pet in woodland is to be incredibly vigilant for signs of illness with the following few hours,” she said. The most common signs were sickness, diarrhoea and lethargy.
So far this year there had been no reports of deaths from the mystery dog illness. People appeared to be more alert and were seeking help more quickly. In the majority of cases reported last year, dogs which received early veterinary treatment recovered within seven to 10 days, said Miss Stevens.
Mrs Walshaw said: “I know veterinary treatment is expensive and sometimes you can treat these symptoms at home but in this case I feel the problem is too serious for that.”
A spokesman for the Sandringham Estate said: “We are aware that there have been cases of dogs becoming sick after walking in various areas of the UK, including Sandringham, with symptoms similar to last year’s SCI cases.”
The estate was taking the reports very seriously and advising owners to keep their dogs on leads. Information posters had been put up at the visitor centre, in the country park, main dog-walking areas, car parks and camping and caravan sites. Information was also available on the Sandringham estate website
The spokesman said SCI was a country-wide problem and the cause had not yet been identified. Sandringham was liaising with the AHT and encouraging dog owners to complete a questionnaire available from the trust.
More information is available from www.sandringhamestate.co.uk and www.aht.org.uk.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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