Dogs and cats at risk of ingesting toxic bait: vet

CATS and dogs in the Toowoomba region are at risk of ingesting a toxic compound that causes seizures and vomiting, a vet says.

CATS and dogs in the Toowoomba region are at risk of ingesting a toxic compound that causes seizures and vomiting, a vet says.

Creature Comforts posted a warning to pet owners saying 1080 baiting had started in the Toowoomba region.

Banned in most countries, the poison is still used liberally throughout Australia to control pest species.

"I saw signs at Hodgson Vale, Ramsay and Greenmount today. I believe it goes until March 27," a spokesman said.

"1080 is used to control feral dogs, foxes, cats and pigs, but unfortunately domestic dogs and cats are at risk of ingesting this highly toxic compound."

Creature Comforts Mobile Vet. Photo Facebook

Signs of ingestion range from hypersensitivity to light or sound, anxiety, frenzied behaviour, seizures, vomiting or respiratory distress, usually within three to 20 hours of ingestion.

"If you suspect your dog has been poisoned seek urgent veterinary attention as poisoning could lead to death."

Creature Comforts said the poison posed the highest risk to farm dogs.

"Exercise caution if working off lead."

Muzzles may help and and owners are advised to keep dogs chained that are not working in runs.

"Not only do baits pose a threat, but dead and dying animals and their vomit may contain enough poison to be harmful."

Creature Comforts is a small animal mobile vet servicing Toowoomba and the surrounds.

Council offers rural landholders the opportunity to participate in 1080 baiting campaigns to control declared pest animals such as wild dogs, foxes and feral pigs on properties within the Toowoomba region.

These campaigns are coordinated several times a year and are timed to coincide with target animal breeding cycles.

The use of 1080 baits are subject to strict regulatory control set down in the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulations 1996 which is administered by the Queensland Government.  These 1080 guidelines are intended to ensure consistent use of 1080 in Queensland.

Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is a very useful pesticide for the control of pest animals and has been used throughout Australia since the early 1960s.

1080 is the most efficient, humane and species-specific pesticide currently available for declared animal control in Australia. In Queensland, 1080 is registered for use in the control of wild dogs, feral pigs, foxes and rabbits.

1080 is widely used in Australia to protect agricultural production and native flora and fauna from the impacts of pest animals.

For more information on council's program click here.

Originally published as Dogs and cats at risk of ingesting toxic bait: vet