DOG owners in Keighley are being warned to be extra vigilant after a number of pets became ill after going out for walks.

Aireworth Vets in Keighley has seen an increase in the number of dogs coming into the practice with severe vomiting and diarrhoea, and two have been hospitalised.

This comes after a vet surgery in Baildon, Bradford issued a similar warning yesterday.

There have been reports of dogs becoming ill after going for a walk along the Yorkshire coast, but Aireworth Vets clinical director Peter O’Hagan said they are also seeing cases in the Keighley area.

Mr O’Hagan said: “My colleagues in practice are seeing a few cases and the most severe ones are on fluids in the hospital and require careful feeding and close monitoring. They are making slow and steady improvement, thankfully.

“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. If they speak to their vet and get their dog checked over. As a profession 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.”

Symptoms to look out for include vomiting, blood in diarrhoea, lethargy and loss of appetite. Owners whose dogs are showing signs of having the illness.

The cause is yet unclear but Aireworth Vets is advising owners to keep their dogs on a lead so they can keep a closer eye on them and stop them eating something they shouldn’t.