Vets' warning after dogs 'fall ill' on housing estate near Cheltenham

Vets are warning people to "be vigilant" following reports of dogs falling ill on a housing estate in Gloucestershire.

It's thought the animals ate or drank something toxic, possibly in the fields behind the Cleeveland Estate, in Bishop's Cleeve, near Cheltenham.

Dragon Vets have issued a warning to pet owners and advised them what to look out for if they think their dog is unwell.

The veterinary practice, based at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: "We have had dogs admitted with suspected toxin ingestion after walking around the fields behind the fields at Cleeveland Estate in Bishop's Cleeve. 

“Symptoms include excessive panting, high temperature and vomiting.

"Please be vigilant if visiting this area and if your dog shows any of these symptoms after a walk please call your local vet practice."

Lisa Hailwood, a dog walker, was out with six dogs on Tuesday 20 August.

She said all six of them were "perfectly fine" when she dropped them back to their owners around 11.15am.

Two hours later, she got a call from one owner telling her their dog was seriously ill and was at the vets.

This dog died, and two others were ill for a couple of days. They have now returned home.

Lisa said: "I was absolutely devastated to get those calls. There’s a sense of responsibility on me because they were in my care when it happened.

"These aren’t my dogs but I’ve been walking some of them since they were puppies, they are everything to me.

"When one of them is poorly or passes away, it has a massive impact on me as a person because of my love for the dogs."

Lisa said there's been a location mix up on social media, and she suspects people are avoiding the wrong area.

She said: "It should never have happened. I’ve heard there’s been four more cases today which is tragic.

"The issue is the wrong location is being flagged on social media. The Nature Reserve isn’t where it happened, it’s the fields."

Tewkesbury Borough Council said: "We are aware of concerns from residents in the Cleevelands Estate, Bishop's Cleeve following recent reports of pet dogs falling ill in the area. 

“Our teams are currently working with vets in the area to establish the potential cause of the illness.

“We will of course update residents accordingly should any further action be required."

Lisa said: "There needs to be a proper investigation. There needs to be signs up, or the field needs to be shut off until the investigation is done.

"It’s an urgent situation and we need to stop another dog dying or getting seriously ill."

Tewkesbury Borough Council says its environmental health officers have visited the site and spoken to landowners, as well as the vetinary practice.

"We are still working hard to determine the exact cause and in the meantime would remind everyone to be mindful of crop treatments when crossing farmland and to always be aware of the dangers posed on open countryside and farmland including poisonous plants, algae, riverbanks and farming activities like spreading of manure.”