‘Outbreak of violent vomiting bug in dogs’, warns Omagh vet

PROLIFIC vomiting of five or more episodes in a 12 hour period is just one of the symptoms of a violent vomiting bug in dogs currently sweeping across the North, a Tyrone vet practice has warned.

Campsie Vet Centre, Omagh, explained that vets across the UK are reporting higher than usual cases of ‘gastroenteritis’ in dogs – and encouraged all pet owners to be vigilant and seek treatment if their pooch becomes unwell.

Symptoms include regular vomiting, which can stop for a period (such as overnight) before starting up again; an inability for your dog to keep water down at peak vomiting stage; anorexia and lethargy for two-to-five days; and diarrhoea, which may take a gravy-like form.

Full recovery can take from five-to-ten days, and prompt veterinary treatment is advised.

“The outbreak is affecting areas across the North; the Midlands; Wales; and the north of England,” they said. “The illness is most likely a virus, but it has not yet been identified. It seems to be dog-specific – and thankfully humans don’t appear to be at risk.

“It is not caused by parvovirus or salmonella.

“So far we have found that the cases seen – while clearly being poorly – have responded well to treatment from this uncommonly violent gastric bug.”