Five dogs died and a sixth was treated and survived after suspected poisoning in Grahamstown last weekend.
Five dogs died and a sixth was treated and survived after suspected poisoning in Grahamstown last weekend.
The five dogs that died were from a single home in the Kingswood area and the sixth, also believed to have been poisoned, was from Sunnyside.
The dogs from a single household were boerboels and rottweilers.
Veterinarian Dr Philip Gilfillan said three dogs brought in to his practice on Sunday morning were very weak when they came in.
“Two had died at the man’s house, presumably late on Saturday night,” said Gilfillan. The owner had found them dead in their kennels.
A sixth dog, from the Sunnyside area, was brought in on Sunday night.
“That was a milder case,” said Gilfillan. He treated that animal and it recovered. Gilfillan said he suspected organophosphate poisoning in all the cases. “Usually they inject a piece of meat and throw it into a yard,” said Gilfillan.
He said such incidents happened sporadically in Grahamstown. “Usually it’s a vendetta or someone wants to break in,” he said.
Gilfillan said symptoms of organophosphate poisoning in a dog are:
* vomiting and salivation
* muscle contraction and trembling
* diarrhoea and shock (collapse)
The treatment, administered by a vet, said Gilfillan, is a supporting intravenous electrolyte drip, along with the appropriate antidote.
Grahamstown police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said on Monday 7 June that no cases had been opened in connection with the dogs’ suspected poisoning.
“Although none of these incidents were brought to the attention of the SAPS, pet owners should report similar incidents to the police and the SPCA,” Govender said.
“ Ensure that your pets are kept within the boundary of your property and check for containers left lying near the boundary. “Ensure the property is secured and that there are no holes through which your pet can escape,” Govender said.
“Do not ignore unusual barking. It is your dog’s means of communicating.”
sue@grocotts.co.za
