Two dogs die after walking on Ballito beach

Two dogs have died and a third is recovering at the Ballito Veterinary Hospital, apparently after ingesting something on the Salmon Bay/Zimbali beach yesterday.

Within about 20 minutes of the beach walk, the dogs had sudden seizures and this fits the time frame of the dogs having eaten and absorbed something according to Ballito vet hospital’s Dr Kerri Farlam.

The first dog to be rushed to the vet, a Labrador, had not been fed at home.

“Yet we found meat in his stomach,” said Farlam.

The second and third dog, two border collies, belonged to the same family.

“Sadly one of the collies died but the other one is mildly affected and is recovering in the vet hospital, and doing well.”

Dr Farlam said, however, that they have not found anything consistent in the dogs’ stomachs so they cannot be sure what it is that is poisoning these young and healthy dogs.

“No typical organophosphate granules were found in the stomachs, the common toxin found in malicious poisoning. We will be sending a sample away for a toxin screen to be done, but it will take quite some time.”

Many dogs are also brought to the vet after having eaten bait with fish hocks embedded in it.

“Please do not pull the fishing line if you see it as this causes more damage. Bring the dog immediately to a vet.

“We do not want to cause panic, but do want to warn dog owners to be vigilant when taking their dogs to the beach. And if the dog has a seizure, bring it straight to a vet,” she said.

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