A VETERINARY clinic is warning dog owners to remain observant when walking their dogs on the beach after treating a dog who ingested a potential poisonous sea creature.

Sid, a schnauzer, was taken into the Priory Veterinary Group clinic on Bank Holiday Monday after eating a starfish whilst out for his daily exercise on the beach.

Whilst most can cause dogs to vomit by themselves, some types contain saxitoxins which can cause paralysis and death.

Practice Manager at Priory Veterinary Group Nicola Holmwood said: “We don't know what sort of starfish it was but all of them are very irritant when eaten.

“Most cause an upset tummy and dogs will vomit by themselves, but some types contain saxitoxins which are much more dangerous. They can very quickly cause clinical signs and lead to paralysis and death.

“Although these are rare, you can't tell by looking at the starfish which ones contain saxitoxins and the potential for it means that all cases of dogs eating starfish should be made to vomit as quickly as possible.”

Thanks to his owner’s quick response and the clinic’s out of hours service, which meant a vet was available throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, Sid suffered no ill effects and was able to go home the same day.

Nicola added: “When we gave Sid the injection and made him vomit, he brought up two easily identifiable distinct halves of the starfish, so we were able to confirm he'd got rid of it all.

“Luckily, he showed no ill effects and went home later on Monday. His owners tell me he is now completely back to normal and enjoying walks again!

“Advice to owners is simply to get the dog to the vets as soon as you possibly can.”