Unknown illness causes dog deaths
An unidentified illness has caused a spate of dog deaths in the New Forest. An investigation is being carried out to determine the cause of the deaths.
Dogs affected by the illness initially suffered wounds or legions to the limbs or face. These manifested after the dog had been walking in the New Forest area, and would not heal.
Symptoms developed into loss of appetite and severe depression, quickly escalating to acute kidney failure, which according to the Animal Health Trust (AHT), has proved fatal in all but two cases to date.
The cause of the kidney failure and its link to the initial wounds is, however, a mystery. In response to the deaths, an ongoing investigation is being led by vets at Anderson Moore's Veterinary Specialists (AMVS).
David Walker, head of internal medicine at AMVS, said: "We are working with a number of veterinary and medical colleagues in the UK and the US to try and identify the cause of this concerning cluster of cases as quickly as we can."
Forest Veterinary Clinic and Lynwood Vets - who have also seen a number of similar cases - are assisting with the investigation.
The veterinary practices involved have conducted several tests for harmful toxins which could have caused the acute kidney failure in the affected dogs. So far, however, these tests have all been negative.
The Animal Health Trust (AHT) is providing support through the development of an online questionnaire and map. It is calling on anyone who has walked their dog in Fordingbridge and the surrounding area since the start of 2013, to complete the questionnaire.
"Input from dog walkers is essential to progress the investigation, even if their dog wasn't affected," said Richard Newton, head of disease surveillance and epidemiology at the AHT.
"The questionnaire will provide vital information to help in identifying areas of highest risk, and possibly factors that contribute to the condition in this area of the New Forest."
The questionnaire is now available on the AHT's website.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
