A grieving woman has issued a warning to all dog owners after the tragic death of her four-year-old pet Pip. Gemma described the loss as a 'heartbreak and shock' and urged owners to be vigilant about the dangers of wild bird droppings.
Pip's Sudden Illness
In an emotional TikTok video, Gemma said: 'She was full of life and just a great little character and loved running around. She was running around on Wednesday night (July 15), but had sickness on Thursday morning - but that's not unusual.' However, Pip's vomiting persisted and was accompanied by worrying symptoms affecting her breathing and causing excessive drooling.
After seeking guidance from a vet, Gemma was reassured as long as her dog was still moving and not experiencing diarrhoea, there was little cause for alarm. 'Within about 45 minutes of that phone call she took a drastic turn for the worse and she started with really watery, bloody diarrhoea,' she said. A second call prompted an emergency examination, where the severity became clear.
'She was lethargic and had collapsed on the floor,' Gemma revealed. 'They let me in about half-an-hour before their opening time and they were brilliant and saw her straight away.' Initially believed to be a gastroenteritis bug needing fluids and antibiotics, Pip's condition deteriorated rapidly. 'She was on every treatment going, we tried everything, but lost her by the end of the day.'
The Toxic Hazards of Wild Bird Droppings
Gemma now believes Pip fell ill after eating 'goose poo' in the park 48 hours earlier. She confessed: 'I didn't realise goose poo can be toxic. We'd also been to the beach that week and she breathed in sand which can create micro-cuts in the intestine... I think [those two issues combined] was the perfect storm.'
Giving advice, Gemma concluded: 'Please, if your dog has been around any poultry... geese, seagulls, pigeons... it can all be toxic for them. If your dog starts being sick within 24 to 48 hours, even if it is just once, go get them checked out. If I had known - would it have been different? I would have taken Pip the first time she was sick.'
In a post online, Goose Masters explained: 'Because goose poo can have dangerous bacteria, parasites, and other infection causing contaminants it is important to keep a close eye on your dogs if they have been eating geese poop to see if their illness can be taken care of at home or if they need a veterinarian to treat their symptoms.'
RSPCA Guidance and Emergency Steps for Dog Poisoning
The RSPCA states dogs can be poisoned by some common household items, even those harmless to humans. It said: 'You can reduce this risk by keeping harmful substances out of reach of your dog and keeping them away from areas they have access to.'
In an emergency, the RSPCA urged dog owners to follow three steps: stay calm and move your dog away from the source, contact your vet immediately, and follow your vet's advice. The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) Animal PoisonLine provides a 24-hour emergency phone service (fee required).
