A mystery illness which causes vomiting and diarrhoea has spread across Norway during the past few days — killing up to 40 dogs.
Most of the cases have been reported in the country's capital Oslo, but they have also appeared in at least 13 other towns including ones in the northern province of Nordland.
Two suspect bacteria types have been found in autopsies but the Norwegian Veterinary Institute said it was unclear if they caused the dog's deaths.
A dog in neighbouring Sweden has also been admitted to veterinary hospital, the BBC reports.
NRK, a Norwegian national broadcaster, reported that a total of 25 dogs died from the condition, but this has not been confirmed by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
A dog in neighbouring Sweden has also been admitted to veterinary hospital after appearing at a show in the Norwegian city of Trondheim, according to Swedish newspaper GT.
Pathologists found three dogs showed signs of a bloody gut according to the Veterinary Institute.
The institute ruled out common causes like salmonella and rat poison.
Ole-Herman Tronerud Food safety authority spokesman told NRK the illness seemed "very serious for a dog. But we don't know yet whether this is contagious or just a series of individual cases".
Dog owners are being advised by the agency to keep animals on a lead in order to avoid contact with other canines.
