Mystery dog virus is 'spreading like wildfire' as 150 pets fall ill

Hundreds of dogs across Yorkshire have been falling ill in the last few days, and there are fears the virus could escalate.

Dogs visiting coastal areas have been struck down with symptoms of a mystery virus, with 150 possible cases reported.

Hundreds of dogs across Yorkshire have been falling ill in the last few days, and there are fears that the virus could escalate in the coming days.

The origins of the bug are thought to have originated in by the North Yorkshire coast, as many dog owners noticed that their dogs felt ill after visiting, reports Yorkshire Live.

Vet practices in the region have shared warnings on Facebook, and they have urged dog owners to avoid beaches in Scarborough and Saltburn.

It would appear however that the virus has begun to move inland, with people in towns and cities such as York, Hebden Bridge and Sheffield reporting similar symptoms.

One person posted on a group in Hebden Bridge saying: "The dog sickness bug is spreading here like wildfire. My dog came down it on Thursday and I had only taken her to school and back!"

She said that her dog was "fine" but her mother's dog has come down with the same sickness.

She said: "Just be careful as they don't know what the cause is or how it's spreading."

Another person from Sheffield said the mystery virus will "knock your dog off its feet".

They added that the virus is "spreading like wildfire in most areas" and her dog suffered from symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.

In Leeds, a woman says that her dog caught the virus after a walk by Hunslet canal. She feels the virus came from the coast, but is now moving from dog to dog in the city.

A vet from Minster Veterinary Practice has played down the idea of a new virus affecting dogs, saying she does not believe there is a new illness in York.

She said: "We often unfortunately get waves of unwell pets with vomiting and diarrhoea around this time of year, just as in the summer we often get cases of kennel cough. I did mention to a client at Willow Grove that I had seen a few cases of vomiting and diarrhoea, but this can be a normal occurrence this time of year.

"Any cases that have had to be hospitalised due to vomiting and diarrhoea have responded to supportive care. My main advice to any pet owners would be that if your pet is unwell then seek veterinary attention, if we have a mild stomach upset then a bland diet is little and often is a good idea.

"Please be reassured that if we felt that there was something pet owners should avoid or minimise to stop their pet becoming generally unwell then we would advise of this."