A pet shop has issued a warning after a dog fell seriously ill after ingesting drugs during a walk along a beach. The dog is making a recovery because it weighs more than 30kg, but it would have been fatal if it was a smaller hound, the pet shop in Devon has warned.
Incident on Back Beach
The Healthy Pet Shop said a customer's dog was taken to the vets after a walk on Back Beach in Teignmouth last weekend, where it tested positive for cocaine and cannabis. Managers posted on Facebook: "One of our customer's dogs has been seriously ill in the vets over the weekend after becoming ill after walking on Back Beach."
"The dog was tested upon arriving at the vets and tested positive for cocaine and cannabis. The dog is [over] 30kg and is making a recovery but it would have killed a smaller dog (according to the vet)."
Warning to the public
"Please be vigilant and warn all people with animals and children. The owners say this was the only place they had walked [over the weekend]."
The RSPCA has issued advice to owners of pets and advised that if someone suspects a pet has been poisoned or consumed something harmful to contact the vet straight away. The RSPCA said: "If you suspect your pet has been poisoned or consumed something harmful, please contact your vet straight away."
Signs of poisoning
"Signs of poisoning can be seen from 30 minutes after an animal has ingested a substance, though it can be two or three days before signs of kidney failure are seen." Symptoms of poisoning can include one, or several of the following: vomiting, seeming depressed or sleepy, appearing drunk and uncoordinated, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
