Slug-pellet threat to dogs

Press, 18 October 1980, Page 6

Slug-pellet threat to dogs

For veterinarians, spring-, time means increased cases of dogs poisoned after eating slug pellets. The pellets, which are spread on gardens to kill slugs and snails, contain a metaldeheide ingredient that is a poison. They also contain bran and are palatable to dogs. However, it takes only about 30 minutes for the poison to be absorbed in the! dog’s system, and this reduc-i es the chances of its being saved;. ..... „.... ;. I‘About 30 to 40 dogs a year J are..; brought, in . for treatment in Christchurch,” said Mr A. Mitchell, president' of " the Christchurch branch of the Veterinarians’ Association ' - -•- :: ■ -

Mr Mitchel! was unsure of the number of deaths, betahsfe most dogs were successfully treated with an antidote. The most important thing for owners to do if they suspected that their dog had eaten pellets was to make it vomit , as sobn as possible, than take it to a vet for treatment, he said. i This poisoning problem was faced by. vets each spring, but he : was not aware that this year was any worse than past years. About 12 dogs have already died in Auckland this spring, and 100 cases have been treated. ' . Some. Auckland vets have said that the pellets are-ex-.

treniely dangerous, and they are concerned that their ef-. feet is played down by manufacturers, reports the Press Association.

Mr W. Brey, horticulturist with Arthur Yates and Company, Ltd, maker of Blitzem slug pellets, reinforced the vets’ warning to use pellets, carefully. ' . He said that there was no need for pellets to be used in great- numbers;* it took only.a light, sparse scattering to kill slugs and snails. In Australia, a dye is added to the pellets, which makes dogs; that have, eaten them froth a blue-green foam,- and acts as -a clear warning - to** owners. . Vets would like to see something like this jn New Zea-

land, or some alternative slug, poison produced. Symptoms of the poisoning in dogs are lack of coordination, trembling or staggering, rapid panting and high fever, and a distinctive chemicar smell on the animal’s breath.. If caught in time, vets can pumip the stomach and put the dog under sedation for about 36 hours. Many dogs are saved, but vets say that the experience for the dog is a traumatic one. ft They say that the problem can be avoided if people follow manufacturers’ instructions more carefully. The pellets s should be. spread sparsely, and covered with a tin impossible.