A vet has warned that dogs owners their pets could be at serious risk from consuming horse manure from horses that have been recently wormed.
Equine worming products can have a serious risk on dogs potentially causing blindness if picked up from spills or discarded syringes.
It is also possible for dogs to become unwell from eating manure from a recently wormed horse
Vet C hristina Kuhl, said: " Sudden onset blindness and dilated pupils are just two of the symptoms pets can could experience if they lick or eat even a small amount of equine worming product.
"Although some of the ingredients routinely used to worm horses are also used to worm cats and dogs, they are usually given in far smaller doses in these species and can therefore prove poisonous if cats or dogs lick or eat even a small amount of equine worming product.
"Be aware that some dogs belonging to certain breeds, for example Collies, can be more sensitive to ivermectin-based wormers and these dogs can show signs of poisoning even when a small amount is eaten.
"If you ever suspect your pet has eaten equine wormer or they seem unwell having been around your horse at the time of worming, contact your vet for advice as soon as possible.
"Dogs or cats who have ingested horse wormer may become unwell with signs including drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, poor coordination, trembling, blindness, seizures and in severe cases, they may not recover unless urgent veterinary treatment is received.
"The best way to keep them safe is to keep them out of the way when your horses are being wormed and ideally until the stables are mucked out afterwards.
"It’s important to clean up any spillages or any wormer that your horse spits out. Always be sure to dispose of used worming syringes in a sealed bin and make sure any new or unused product is stored securely.
"Whilst uncommon, it is also possible for dogs to become unwell from eating manure from a recently wormed horse. Dogs who tend to eat large quantities of horse manure are most at risk.
Regarding the amount of time dung will remain contaminated, this is product dependent and some wormers contain different active ingredients. Information on this can usually be found on the datasheet/product instructions that are supplied with the wormer and this is the most accurate place for owners to check what time frame applies to their horse.
"However, some dogs belonging to certain breeds, for example Collies and other herding breeds, can carry a genetic mutation making them very sensitive to ivermectin-based wormers and these dogs can show signs of poisoning even when a small amount is eaten. Where possible, dogs should therefore be discouraged from eating horse manure to reduce this risk.
"Always use a species-specific wormer as directed by a veterinary surgeon and even if the active ingredient appears to be the same, avoid sharing products between different species to avoid accidental overdose."
The British Horse Society's advises how to help keep your dogs safe when worming your horse:
• Keep them out of the immediate area you are worming in
• Prevent access to stables until they are mucked out afterwards
• Clean up any spillages or any wormer that your horse spits out
• Dispose of used worming syringes in a sealed bin
• Store wormers securely.
