Many dog owners will be tempted to their their pups out on long walks in the sunshine this weekend, but one person has issued a stern warning about a potentially dangerous plant.
While taking dogs for walks in hot weather can pose risks due to the risk of heat-related illnesses, a dog owner has warned they should also be wary about a plant that can cause horror burns. Sue Earley took her chihuahua-pug cross out for a stroll in Hampshire recently, when she accidentally brushed past the deadly giant hogweed.
Giant hogweed, which closely resembles cow parsley, although much bigger, is a fast-growing, invasive plant. The sap from the poisonous plant can cause severe blistering and burning on skin and the eyes. It can be especially dangerous in the sun, when the sap stops the skin protecting itself against the sun's rays. Without proper treatment, it could prove fatal to your hound, as if ingested it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
After brushing up against the plant, Mrs Earley's dog Peanut developed a nasty lump on her nose. She initially thought it was caused by a bee sting, but became increasingly concerned after it developed into angry red blisters.
Mrs Earley said: "It became obvious a while after we got home - probably about 30 minutes later. She came in from the garden with a lump on her nose.
"I thought at first she'd been stung by a bee or wasp. There were no signs apart from the lump - it was perfectly normal. I gave the lump a wash, which I think probably helped as it washed the sap off.
"But the lump gradually got bigger over the course of the day, and by the next morning she had weeping blisters that looked red and sore."
Giant hogweed, which often causes no immediate pain, which means victims continue to burn in the sun without realising, scorches many people every year, including children. Just recently a four-year-old boy came into contact with the viscous plant while on holiday in Dublin, Ireland. When blisters started appearing on the boy's forearm, his mum called doctors, who confirmed they were due to giant hogweed.
The plant's sap can spread at just a moment's exposure. Mrs Earley continued to speak about Peanut's situation: "She could have only been exposed for a second or two, but that's all it takes. It is growing very tall where people walk their dogs. It had been trodden on, which releases the sap."
Luckily, Peanut, who was adopted from Hungary Hearts Dog Rescue, was taken to an emergency vet the day after, was given a steroid injection and antibiotic tablets, and is on the road to recovery.
But the retiree now wants to warn others about the UK's most dangerous plant. She said: "Most people don't know about giant hogweed - it looks like a big cow parsley, which is harmless. If you're not sure, stay away and check your dogs over regularly - if it hadn't been on her nose, I wouldn't have seen it for ages.
"I sincerely hope this information will stop any other human or dog coming into contact with giant hogweed."
If you do happen to brush against Giant hogweed, it's recommended to wash the area thoroughly and immediately. You should then seek medical attention, and avoid sunlight for several days.
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