Vets and dog owners in the South Lakes have been put on high alert as a serious mystery illness which has been affecting pets throughout the country has been reported in the area.

An unidentified Gastroenteritis-like bug that the British Veterinary Association (BVA) call "uncommonly violent" has been reported by dog owners in Windermere and Grange, and is thought to be linked to a spate of worrying reports of seriously ill and occasionally fatal cases of the disease.

Petra Farrar, who owns Lakes Pet Service in Windermere, said: "I've had one of my customers report the disease but from other reports I've heard it seems to be highly contagious."

Nicola Williams, a regular dog-walker from Grange, said: "Ive heard of three or four cases of this horrendous disease now, one from a friend of mine who was convinced that her dog wouldn't make it.

"She just wouldn't stop vomiting and couldn't stand up.

"Thankfully she pulled through but she took over a week to get back to normal.

"I've stopped taking my dogs to the beach now as from reports I've read it seems to be worse there."

According to vet Dr Danielle Greenberg of The Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET), who are monitoring the outbreak, this vomiting bug is unusual due to:

  • Prolific vomiting of 5 or more episodes in a 12 hour period which can stop for a period (such as overnight) and then starts again
  • Dogs are often unable to keep water down at peak vomiting stage
  • Anorexia and lethargy for 2-5 days
  • Diarrhoea: Most dogs have ‘gravy-like’ diarrhoea
  • Full recovery can take 5-10 days

She also said it is highly unlikely that the illness is transmissible to humans.

President of the BVA, Dr Justine Shotton, said: "The BVA is asking vets to report any gastroenteritis-like cases to SAVSNET to help researchers build a clearer picture of the outbreak, and to investigate if the spike is part of normal seasonal variation or if a specific virus or bacteria is at play."

She also asked dog owners not to panic if their pets showed symptoms, and to"talk to their vet, as prompt veterinary treatment almost all dogs make a full recovery from this uncommonly violent gastric bug."