A mystery dog illness that took the lives of dogs in 2009 and 2010 is claiming more lives this year. The strange illness seems to be affecting dogs in Norfolk, Nottinghamshire and Suffolk walking in wooded areas.
The Animal Health Trust (AHT) has launched an investigation into the illness and are asking for dog owners in those regions (and beyond) to take their dogs to a vet if they seem unwell and to provide the AHT with as much information as possible to help narrow down the source of the illness.
Edit (18 Sept 2011): Another 11 cases have just been reported in the Sandringham Estate. Keep a keen eye out for what is believed to be at the root of the problem which are bacteria, blue-green algae or fungal spores.
The reports of Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI) have increased since September so signs are showing it to be an Autumnal occurance.
The main areas indicated so far include Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire and Sandringham Estate and Thetford Forest in Norfolk. If you have walked your dogs in any of the affected areas the AHT are asking you to complete a questionnaire if your dog became ill or not to try to narrow down specific areas causing the illness. The questionnaire is available at www.aht.org.uk.
Although these areas have been specifically identified, all wooded areas are of concern, Richard Newton of the AHT said “We do not believe that dogs are at any more risk walking at the four sites we’re investigating than at any other woodland site. We simply need to limit our investigation area in order to get the most useful data.
“Nearly 400 people completed questionnaires last autumn after walking dogs in these areas but we were also alerted to other areas, across the whole of the UK, where dog owners believe cases had occurred.”
If after walking in a woodland area your dog shows any of these signs take them to a vet immediately as if left untreated the dog can become fatally ill.
I know I will keep a closer eye on my dogs as we often walk in the woods, especially this time of year when there is so much change all around us.
Walked in Redlesham forest last Monday/Tuesday saw the signs as we came out of the forest. Walked with three dogs 2 labs 1 cocker. The cocker is in the vets now.
Cocker now home and much better thanks to vet. He does not think it was SCI.
My brothers 9 yr old flatcoat retriever has just come from the vets today 31st dec 2011, after being rushed in on thursday 29th dec 2011, suffering from being sick and very lethargic, also his abdomen was swollen and very tender. He was put on a drip and antibiotics. Xrays were clear. He’s last walks were in the new forest near burley, and poole park. My brother didn’t notice him eating or drinking anything, but he did pick up a piece of old tree from the ground and carried it for a while.
Thanks for your comment Lorna, I hope he gets well soon. I read the other day scientists are now thinking that a form of mite are causing the illness.
I think this is a bigger problem than recognised……..my two dogs died within 12 hours of these symptoms in January this year and we do not live in the areas that are being cited, but they had walked in woodland around our home area. If it was this disease that killed them (we never got a firm diagnosis from the vet) then it was very quick.
My dog is recovering from it – in 24hours had been to Orwell Country Park (Bridge Wood and Braziers Wood/Meadow)as he does everyday and the last walk was Ransomes Europark (edged by Woodland in 2 places) Trinity Park and woods/Foxhall Woods/Purdis Heath. 48 hours previous Nacton Shores and Levington
rendlesham forest is infected many dogs taken ill from which the foristry new but put signs up to late
great post…didn’t know the illness existed!