Move to reassure owners after gastroenteritis outbreak
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has reassured local dog owners that Hurlingham Park has been ruled out as the source of a mystery illness.
Earlier this month, local vets Goddard and Molly and Max warned owners to avoid walking in Hurlingham Park, after a severe outbreak of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis led to the death of one pet and made some others seriously ill.
However, the council says it has now tested all horticultural products used in the popular Fulham park, which was closed during summer to allow the grass to recover after the Polo in the Park tournament and contamination has been ruled out.
Veterinary tests have revealed that a number of the dogs had suffered from haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and this had also been encountered in dogs which had been walked in central London parks. The warmer summer weather conditions may have contributed to the spread of the disease amongst local dogs.
The council’s advice is for dog owners to ensure their dog’s injections are up to date, to try and minimise the number of dog to dog interactions and consult your vet if your dog begins to show any signs such as vomiting or distress.
Cllr Greg Smith, H&F Council Deputy Leader, says: " This unfortunate episode has caused stress and upset for many dog owners in Fulham and I hope that news that the park is not the source of this bug will be reassuring.
" The best way to prevent outbreaks such as this is to ensure that dog owners clean up after their pets and that all users put their litter in bins."
October 24, 2013