Owners have reported cases of dogs being struck by a sickness bug, with symptoms including frequent vomiting - more than is usually seen in canine gastroenteritis cases.

Other symptoms can include diarrhoea, anorexia and lethargy.

The main symptoms of the virus so far are severe vomiting, diarrhoea and significant dehydration and weakness.

Most dogs make a full recovery following prompt veterinary care to treat the symptoms.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme on Friday (14 January), BVA President Justine Shotton said: “With gastroenteritis, most cases are mild, but some dogs may need hospitalisation with a drip.

“In the worst situations, it can become haemorrhagic leading to secondary complications or even death, but that is very rare.”

Nia Ball is a final year student studying BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing at Harper Adams University.

Her final year research project is on intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in Dachshunds and seeing whether there is a link between weight and recovery time. She is looking for responses from Dachshund owners that fill the below criteria:

•Have a Dachshund that has suffered from IVDD in the thoracolumbar region (thoracic/lumbar)

•The Dachshund has had a hemilaminectomy (back surgery) in the past 3 months or more

The information you provide is completely anonymous. Please answer all questions honestly. Participation is voluntary and by starting the survey, you are consenting to taking part but you can withdraw at any point until submission of responses. I would be very grateful if you could complete my survey linked blow, it should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

https://harper-adams.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/body-condition-score-and-ivdd-in-dachshunds