A MAUCHLINE woman has described how her pet spaniel almost died after eating food from a recycling container.

Erin Armstrong had prepared the bin for collection but it was a windy day and, the next thing she knew, it had blown over and her spaniels, Bella and Rosie (pictured), were eating the contents.

She said: “I chased them away, but within 20 minutes Rosie was showing signs that something was wrong, as she was shaking and looked spaced out.

“Then she was vomiting and started having seizures, so I took her and Bella to the vets where Jim Garven diagnosed a toxic disease.

“We had caught the dogs in time, thankfully, but I kept thinking what if I had brought them in and then gone to the shops or something, they would have died.

“The seizures and shaking leads to a high temperature, the animal becomes really ill and there is multiple organ failure. But staff at MBM Vets in Mauchline were really good.

“They kept the dogs in overnight and treated them and they have both made a full recovery. I want to make people aware of the danger caused by food and compost waste. It must be kept secure and well away from animals.”

Staff at the MBM Veterinary Group have reiterated Ms Armstrong’s warning of the serious risks to pets caused by poisons emanating from mould growing on stored waste, which can cause the life-threatening toxicity, mycotoxicosis.

Vet Katy Graven said: “Over the last year we’ve seen a number of dogs develop frightening, severe and sustained seizures, which begin a few hours after they’ve eaten mouldy waste.

“In many cases all the dogs in the family are involved, with the most greedy one often the worst affected.”

In the worst cases, fatal organ failure can occur because of reduced oxygen supply and release of chemicals from damaged muscles.

Ms Garven added: “Luckily all the dogs we’ve treated so far have survived with no significant long term effects but the treatment is very intensive.

“Severe cases need sedation, fluid support and hospital care for several days.”

To prevent unnecessary suffering, owners are urged to keep household waste and recycling containers securely away from their pets and to keep a close eye on dogs which may scavenge when out on walks.

Call your vet immediately for advice if you see your pet eating mouldy food or compost waste — visit www.mbmvetgroup.co.uk for more information.