A VET has warned dog owners to be on their guard after he treated three dogs in a matter of hours which had been attacked by a swarm of wasps.

Lennon Foo, owner of Amity Veterinary Care in Newton Abbot, said wasp stings can be very serious for dogs and advised if animals are stung, make sure they are checked by a vet.

The incidents all happened on Monday morning when the dogs were being walked in Aller Brook nature reserve, near the vets premises in Brunel Road.

Mr Foo explained: ‘One owner brought two dogs in which had been stung and she herself had also had stings.

‘Then a few hours later another owner brought in a Westie which was in a more serious condition, possibly because it was smaller.

‘Its temperature was raised, it was collapsing and drowsy and I had to put it on a drip.

‘Both clients reported seeing more than 50 wasps.

‘The owner of the Westie has said they are still pulling out stings two days later.

‘It can be very serious for dogs.

‘After the first sting the body produces antibodies and then the second sting sets off anaphylaxis.

‘It can be quite traumatic.’

The first owner recounted how one of her dogs had been sniffing on the ground when the swarm was disturbed.

She had to be treated at the minor injuries unit for stings and, while at the vets, there were wasps still inside her jacket.

One of her dogs had to be treated with antihistamines and steroids to combat the effect of the stings. 

Teignbridge Council owns the nature reserve and both dog owners alerted the authority to the wasps nest.

A council spokesman said: ‘In response to concerns about a wasps nest, pest control were contacted yesterday and they are scheduled to be on site this afternoon to deal with the wasps’ nest. 

‘We’ve also put up warning signs so people are aware.’