Vets warn to watch for pellets

A spate of poisoned dogs has led the Veterinary Specialist Group to issue a warning around the safe keeping of slug pellets and other harmful items.

‘‘It’s the time of year when people start to think about their gardens so this is a common occurrence unfortunately,’’ Dr Mark Robson, founding partner of Veterinary Specialist Group in Auckland says.

Dogs will roam and be attracted to poisons such as slug bait over a long distance, he says.

If you suspect your dog has ingested slug pellet bait, it is important you seek veterinary advice immediately.

‘‘Your dog may look shaky and restless and be acting really strangely’’ Robson says.

‘‘This will then progress to uncontrollable whole-body tremors and then to seizures which will start within 20-90 minutes of the dog eating the bait.’’

Robson says there are plenty of other common items that are very harmful to dogs. ’’Toxicities we see often are human medicines especially painkillers, anti-freeze, marijuana, grapes and raisins which can cause an unpredictable kidney toxicity.’’