PET OWNERS WARNED TO BE ON GUARD AFTER POISON CASES
Dog owners are being urged to keep a close eye on their pets after two cases of poisoning were reported in Howick and Merrivale in recent weeks.
In the most recent incident, which occurred in Railway Road, Merrivale, last week, a mixed breed dog had to be rushed to the vet after she vomited up ‘thick yellow goo’, started going stiff, could not control her body temperature and started shaking uncontrollably.
The owners’ quick actions in getting their pet medical attention helped save the life of the little dog, which is now recovering at home.
The vet confirmed to the owner that the dog had ingested Aldicarb, also known as ‘Two-step’, used to kill insects which target crops and vegetation.
Insecticides containing Aldicarb are no longer available for purchase in stores, but, according to the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), the substance is regularly sold on the black market to criminals who use it to poison dogs.
If a dog ingests Aldicarb it will suffer convulsions and will look as ‘if worms are crawling on the body’. It will also vomit, drool and the size of its pupils may change.
“Unfortunately, there is no antidote for Aldicarb and it is a fast-acting poison, but if you can get your companion to a veterinarian in time, they may be able to neutralise the poison. Time is of the essence,” the charity adds.
Aldicarb is small, black and granular in appearance. The poison almost looks like poppy seeds. Criminals usually hide it in meat to get dogs to consume it.
It is extremely toxic to both humans and animals. If you see what looks like Aldicarb on your property, do not touch it with your bare hands as the poison can be absorbed through the skin. Wear gloves when removing the poison from your property.
The NSPCA advises that all poison cases be reported to the local SAPS.
Members of the Merrivale security group believe the Railway Road case was likely as a result of someone jumping a fence into the property. They have urged residents to be alert and to check all perimeter fencing and verges and to report anything suspicious to their security providers and the police.