A MYSTERY illness which saw vets "inundated" with poorly dogs after reportedly visiting the North East's beaches has made its way to the South West.

Reports of dogs falling ill after visiting beaches some 350 miles away in East Devon have emerged with owners describing symptoms of sickness and diarrhoea. 

The Northern Echo last week revealed that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) was aware of reports which are believed to have originated in the region.

Read more: Authorities 'aware' after vet issues urgent warning to North East dog walkers

According to the newspaper DevonLive, owners reported symptoms - similar to what has been reported in the North East and North Yorkshire.

The Northern Echo:

Sophie Wade said her dog "didn't move" off the sofa and "wouldn't eat a thing" after suffering symptoms following a visit to Exmouth beach at the weekend.

She said: "[During] the early hours of Monday morning she started becoming sick and got worse through the day and night.

"The next day she's didn't move off the sofa wouldn't eat a thing but had stopped being sick. Thankfully she's made a full recovery."

In the North East, a veterinary nurse previously revealed it had been inundated with poorly pets as it issued a warning to dog owners to avoid the beach.

Brogan Proud, a veterinary nurse at Yorkshire Coast Pet Care, said her practice group had been treating dozens of dogs after visiting beaches along the region.

Read more: Dog owners claim pets fell ill after North East beach visits

Dog owners in the Redcar and Cleveland, Scarborough - and even the Whitley Bay area in North Tyneside, have so far reported symptoms.

Last week one local authority, Scarborough Borough Council, said it is aware of reports but that the cause and locations are "unclear."

The Northern Echo:

A council spokesperson said: “The cause of the illness, and the locations it appears to be linked to, are unclear.

“While dogs walked on beaches have been affected, we have also read reports from dog owners that the same symptoms are affecting dogs only walked at inland locations away from beaches.

“We are in discussions with our partner organisations to gather intelligence and carry out investigations into possible causes.

“If any vets have information about possible links to a canine virus that could help these investigations, we kindly ask them to contact our dog warden service.”

DEFRA previously confirmed that it is aware of reports and said it is contact with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

APHA is responsible for identifying and controlling "endemic, exotic diseases and pests" in animals, plants and bees, and surveillance of new and emerging pests and diseases.

It said that they do not believe there is a link between the recent washing up of crabs on beaches in Teesside and dogs falling ill.

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