Beach walkies alert after jellyfish fright
Summer holidays are made for walkies on the beach – but one dog owner is warning of the hidden dangers after her dog sniffed a venomous jellyfish and was violently ill.
Ziggy was left struggling to breathe after he touched a lion’s mane jellyfish at a beach in Flintshire, North Wales. Owner Hilary Pullen, 45, said: “It was a really frightening experience. Ziggy started acting really strangely and I wasn’t sure what to do to help him.”
Hilary and 18-month-old Ziggy were visiting Talacre lighthouse when they came across two stranded jellyfish earlier this month.
“It all happened within a matter of seconds,” says Hilary, from Prestatyn, Denbighshire.
“I was just being curious and taking some pictures as Ziggy ran around the beach and before I’d had a chance to wave him away from the jellyfish, he’d already touched them with his nose or tongue, and his reaction was instantaneous.
“He was retching and it seemed like he was struggling to breathe. I got him back on the lead to get back to the car and all the way he was desperately trying to eat grass on the scrubland.
“I live a five-minute drive away and when we got back, I phoned the vet who said to keep an eye on his breathing and to make sure he wasn’t getting any worse.”
Hilary used the image recognition app Google Lens to identify the jellyfish from a photo she’d taken, so she could let the vet know what they were dealing with.
“Also, on my mum’s advice, I made some rice and eggs for Ziggy to fill up his tummy after he’d been sick,” Hilary said.
Luckily, Ziggy’s health soon returned to normal. Experts at vet charity PDSA recommends taking extra care during summer days out with our pets to avoid falling foul of seasonal hazards such as heatstroke. They suggest giving dogs plenty of shade, and water to drink, and walking them at cooler times of the day.
When visiting the beach they also advise to look out for broken glass and sharp objects to protect little paws. And it’s a smart idea to read up on currents ahead of time to keep dogs safe in the sea, and taking care on clifftop walks.
The People's Pet Awards
Nominations are now open for the Mirror People’s Pet Awards with Webbox. We’re looking for cats, dogs and every pet in between who has saved and transformed lives, rescue animals who have overcome incredible odds, and pets who win the hearts of everyone they meet.
There are also categories for people old and young who make a difference in animals’ lives. If your pet, or a pet you know, deserves an award you can find more information and nominate them at thepeoplespetawards.co.uk.
Webbox Pet Picture
There’s nothing we love more than an adorable pet picture – and it’s the same for our pals at Webbox. This week, Donna Collins from Bangor, Co Down, has shared snaps of her gorgeous dogs Mango and Olive.
Mango loves a dip in the sea“They’re just the best pooches,” said architect Donna, 39. “Mango, a Golden Retriever, has the sunniest nature and adores a dip in the sea, while black Lab Olive has a little bit more sass, and loves a belly rub.”
Olive loves a belly rubTo see your pet on this page and our brilliant Pet Club newsletter too, send your snaps to [email protected] or tag our socials. Make sure to tell us a bit about your pet and what makes them special.
Castle? Prickle do nicely for us
Baby hedgehogs have been cared for by the team at Prickles in a PickleThese three injured beauties are no longer in a prickly situation after fort-fully being given a new home.
The trio are the first to arrive at a new hedgehog sanctuary at Powderham Castle in Devon which has teamed up with charity Prickles in a Pickle.
A fourth hedgehog too disabled to be released back into the wild will settle in with them after eye surgery. Alan Pook is co-founder of the charity which takes in more than 1,200 hedgehogs a year. With around 40 volunteers, Prickles in a Pickle cares for up to 200 at its sanctuary in Stoke Fleming near Dartmouth.
Alan says: “We’re delighted with this new facility at Powderham Castle. With a capacity for five hedgehogs, it’s a great environment for them to see out the rest of their days.”
The charity also aims to launch a new purpose-built hospital to care for the animals. To find out more visit pricklesinapickle.co.uk
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