What is the risk from seasonal canine illness?

Seasonal canine illness is a rare condition that can be treated easily

A vet has advised dog owners to keep an eye out for signs of a rare disease after diagnosing his first case "in a number of years".

Seasonal canine illness first surfaced in 2009 after dog owners in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Suffolk reported their pets suffering from lethargy, diarrhoea and vomiting after they were walked in woodland.

Reports from owners in Nottinghamshire suggested 11 dogs had died from the condition in the two years following the first cases.

Vets say they have now become more aware of the illness than they were after it first emerged, but it is important dog owners know the signs to look out for so their pet can be treated quickly if they do develop the condition.

Symptoms and possible causes

The exact cause of seasonal canine illness is still unknown, but it is believed to be linked to tiny orange-coloured harvest mites, which can attach to a dog's feet, legs, armpits, genitals, abdomen and occasionally ears.

Tom Llewellyn, a clinical director and partner at Forest Veterinary Clinic in Mansfield, said a dog - which was diagnosed with seasonal canine illness on Monday - was initially treated for an allergy after it vomited and had been chewing its feet.

However, the dog then developed a rash and diarrhoea and Mr Llewellyn then discovered the "telltale mites" were attached to its feet.

Mr Llewellyn said owners should therefore check their dogs' feet, especially if they were showing signs of discomfort.

"The mites are quite tricky to treat, but they are very visible when you know what you're looking for, so if they're seen they are something that can be dealt with," he said.

He added seasonal canine illness "is pretty infrequent, but when it happens it's very serious".

September and October are the peak times for the condition to occur, he said, with some animals declining rapidly "in the space of a matter of hours".

Harvest mites, pictured on the foot of a dog, have been linked to seasonal canine illness

What owners should do

Mr Llewellyn said any owners whose dogs were showing the symptoms of seasonal canine illness should take their dog to the vet immediately.

However, he does not advise dog owners to avoid the woods entirely during the autumn months.

"I still walk my own dogs in the woods without real fear," he said.

"But it's the sort of thing that if they do start becoming poorly, you definitely need to be aware that it could deteriorate quickly, and to be hyper-vigilant if that is the case."

Treatment and prognosis

Seasonal canine illness only proves fatal in the most serious of cases, Mr Llewellyn said.

He added the mites linked to the disease could be treated with a flea spray on the advice of a vet.

Janice Dixon, from Dixon and Young Veterinary Surgery in Ollerton, said when animals did become unwell, treatment with antibiotics and intravenous fluids could help them to quickly recover, particularly when concerns were raised early.

"If treated early enough, I would say most dogs return to normal within three to five days," she said.

"Most vets now are very aware of it, and most owners are more aware of it, so hopefully we will see [fewer] fatalities."