New Forest Dog Owners Group
WARNING – MYSTERY ILLNESS
We have recieved the following press release from Pilgrim Vets
“Forest Vets at Fordingbridge have had 9 cases of renal failure in the last 2 weeks, several have been referred to Anderson Moore’s and there has been 1 fatality. All cases have come from the Chilli Hill and Ogden’s area. Dogs were initially seen with a superficial wound to the paw/lower leg. A week later they were presented with swelling around wound, general poor health and bloods revealed moderate-severe renal failure.
All vets have taken steps to help prevent further problems by giving any wound cases regardless of size a course of antibiotics.
Samples have been sent to a few of the top university’s but as yet no results have come back.
We hope this helps but if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us or any other vet within the New Forest area.”
We would advise you to avoid walking your dogs in this area until further notice and we will keep you updated.
MORE INFO ON MYSTERY ILLNESS
Following our earlier email, the following press release has kindly been sent by Roger Stobbs from Forest Veterinary Clinic:
“We have seen six cases of dogs with acute renal failure following foot injuries in the last 3 months, the majority of these dogs are from the Fordingbridge area. At the moment no known cause has been identified (investigations are on-going), and some of the cases may be coincidental and unrelated to the others. The majority of cases have been fatal, so we are asking owners to be particularly vigilant, and if they notice their animal is unwell to bring them to see us sooner rather than later to be checked. If we have any suspicions we can run blood tests as a precaution. The number of cases is obviously a tiny proportion of the dogs walked in the New Forest every day, so we would ask owners not to panic, but to contact us if they have any concerns about their dogs.”
Footnote from NFDog:
NFDog understands that symptoms usually first present with a sore foot , maybe with lesions. Even if they appear minor or insignificant, or if your dog is at all unwell, please do not delay in taking him or her to your vet. Urgency is vital.
Sent by NFDOG. Contact:
New Forest Dog Owners Group
Southampton, Hampshire SO43 7AQ