Snail pellet poisoning on the rise

LOCAL veterinarian Geoff Freeth confirmed that over the past month his surgery had treated at least three dogs a week that were victims of snail pellet poisoning.

Although he and his colleagues at Canobolas Pet Hospital have managed to save all the dogs they’ve treated, including JD, he says it is only a matter of time before someone’s beloved pet dies.

“We can’t save them all,” he said.

“Even ones that we do treat early, can die.”

Treating the dogs requires making them vomit, washing their stomachs out, giving them charcoal and placing them in a medically-induced coma for a day or two.

“We’ve definitely treated more dogs with snail bait poisoning this year than we have in previous years,” he said.

“Dogs such as labradors are garbage gutses and eat anything.”

Dr Freeth said since the drought broke and people had renewed enthusiasm for gardening, snails had become a problem.

He said incorrect storage of pellets and the inquisitive nature of dogs meant they could sometimes find pellets even when the homeowner believed they had dog-proofed their home.

“If you’re using snail pellets, dogs need to be excluded from that area,” he said.

“Also pet-safe pellets provide a false sense of security, they are still just as dangerous, they just don’t taste very good.”

Dr Freeth said when it comes to killing snails safely nothing beats placing beer in small trays around the garden.