A KEIGHLEY vets is warning dog owners in the town to be extra vigilant after a number of pets fell ill following walks.

Aireworth Vets says it has seen a rise in the number of dogs being brought into the practice with severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

Two dogs have been hospitalised.

The Aireworth Road practice says symptoms include vomiting, blood in diarrhoea, lethargy and loss of appetite.

It adds that the cause is unclear, but owners are advised to keep their dogs on a lead so that they can more closely watch their pet and prevent it eating anything untoward.

Aireworth Vets clinical director Peter O’Hagan says: "My colleagues in practice are seeing a few cases and the most severe ones are on fluids in the hospital. They are making slow and steady improvement.

“We don’t know what’s causing it, but we would advise owners to keep a close eye on their dogs when out walking and to contact their vet at the earliest opportunity if their dog becomes ill. We are well geared-up to treat dogs with gastroenteritis.

“Elderly dogs or dogs with underlying conditions are more of a worry because they are more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill.”