Vets issue warning to Sheffield dog walkers after number of pets become ill

Sheffield dog owners are being warned to take extra care after a number of pets became ill following walks in the city.
A dog walks on a hill with sheep  (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP) (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)A dog walks on a hill with sheep  (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP) (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)
A dog walks on a hill with sheep (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP) (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)

Staff at Broomhill Veterinary Practice said they have seen ‘lots of cases’ of gastroenteritis recently, an already-common bug in dogs which can cause vomiting and bloody diarrhoea.

A spokesperson told The Star: "We have seen a lot more than usual. It’s a lot of first-time owners, they don’t know quite a lot of dangers.

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“This is likely because of the bad weather we have had because there’s more puddles, and because of the lockdown there’s an increase in people taking their pet out and that’s quite an easy way to spread it.”

The potentially fatal illness can be caused by ingesting non-food items or foods dogs should not eat.

Several cases of a similar illness, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, in the south of England have also been linked to a waterborne bug.

A public park in Peterborough has since urged dog owners urged to take care that their dogs avoid playing in and drinking from puddles, rivers and lakes.

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The Broomhill Veterinary Practice spokesperson added: "The advice is the same as the Covid advice – don’t go to areas that have got lots of gatherings.

"If you are going to go out, go to quiet areas and pick up your dog poo.”

Jade Constantine from Hallam Veterinary Centre said: "It’s people feeding them things which possibly they shouldn’t have. Sometimes there’s a lot of blood in the stool due to whatever they have eaten.

She added: “Just be careful what you are giving your dogs to eat, make sure you are checking that out.”