Dog-killing toxin found in Thames

A dog has died after ingesting the potent TTX toxin at a beach north of Thames. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

The first death of a dog from toxic slugs has been reported outside Auckland.

Buddy, a 12-year-old female beardy cross, died soon after her owners stopped at Tapu Beach, about 20 minutes north of Thames in the Firth of Thames, on September 30.

She was the sixth dog to die from TTX poisoning.

During August and September, at least 15 dogs showed symptoms consistent with TTX poisoning after eating slugs at Auckland beaches.

The Auckland and Waikato public health services, the Auckland Regional Council the Department of Conservation and other interested parties were informed about the latest death in an email yesterday. A copy of the email said the Waikato Medical Officer of Health, Dr Anita Bell, was dealing with the issue.

Last night, the Waikato District Health board urged people to exercise caution when visiting the beach.

Dr Bell suggested people take precautions, such as closely supervising children and pets.

Anyone whose dog became unwell after visiting a Coromandel beach should phone the Thames Coromandel District Council on (07) 868-0200.

Buddy was returning from the Coromandel with her owners in a campervan when they stopped at Tapu Beach for a few minutes. The dog was seen to get into something and the owners thought she had just sniffed it.

After a short stop they got back in the vehicle and continued their journey. About 10-to-15 minutes later, the dog was seen to salivate.

By the time they got to a vet practice in Thames the dog was dead.

An autopsy confirmed the presence of TTX toxin.

On September 27, public health officers warned parents to keep a close watch on children and to look out for sea slugs.

They said no sea slugs had been found for 10 days and it had been two weeks since the last dog was poisoned.