A dog had a lucky escape after munching on a toxic plant during a beach walk. The pooch, named Ceri, started chewing on a root of the toxic hemlock water dropwort, also known as ‘Dead Man’s Fingers’, while out for a stroll on Llanelli beach.

This plant can cause paralysis and even death in pets, and is harmful to humans too. Ceri was rushed to Vets4Pets in Llanelli, where staff made her sick to get rid of the poisonous plant she’d eaten, reports Wales Online.

The vet company shared Ceri’s story on Facebook to warn other dog owners about the danger. They said: “Ceri was being walked on Llanelli Beach when she started to eat hemlock water dropwort root.

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“Fortunately her dog walker managed to stop her eating too much and her mum brought her straight in to us. We were able to make her vomit up what she had eaten straight away and fortunately she hasn’t developed any symptoms.

“She is extremely lucky that both her dog walker and her owner acted so quickly. Typical signs after eating hemlock water dropwort include drooling, vomiting, twitching, paralysis and seizures.

“In some cases it can be fatal. Signs can start as soon as 15 minutes after eating it or as late as eight hours so rapid treatment is essential.

“Please be aware if you walk your dog on the beaches in the area.” Hemlock, also known as ‘Poisonous Parsnips’, can be washed down from rivers after heavy rain and end up on beaches.

It grows in damp areas such as road verges, waste grounds, ditches and riverbanks. Symptoms of poisoning in dogs include abnormal nervousness, coma, excessive drooling, increased temperature, muscle twitching, panting, pupil dilation, rapid pulse, rolling eyes, severe abdominal pain, tremors, violent convulsions, and vomiting.

If you think your dog may have eaten or come into contact with the plant, contact your vet immediately. Pets4Homes has warned: “Water dropwort is poisonous to all animals, including people and dogs, and a small dose of the plant can lead to a lingering death over the course of a week or more, while a larger dose can actually prove fatal to both man and beast inside of a few hours.

“While the leaves of the plant are not toxic and can be safely consumed by grazing animals, the stems and the roots of the plants are very poisonous.”

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