ANIMAL medicine experts are still no nearer to finding a cause for a spate of dog deaths in the Forest, and now admit they may never solve the mystery.

At least 12 dogs are known to have died after a suspected toxin caused kidney failure after they were walked in locations as far away as Burley and Sway.

Six of the animals had been walked at Latchmore Brook near Fordingbridge and it was first thought the illness was restricted to the area around the Ogdens car park.

But further cases have been identified, one at Verely Hill near Ringwood – the latest case – and two at Longslade near Sway. Six more historic cases have shown clear markers of the condition, which has generally started with a dog going lame, its paw or leg swelling and lesions appearing.

Within a week to ten days the animals have suffered loss of appetite, vomiting and depression, then kidney failure before they died or had to be put down. Vets in Ringwood and Verwood did spot a pattern early this year and started rushing animals suspected to have picked up the toxin to specialist vets Anderson Moores in Winchester, where they were put on drips in a desperate bid to save them.

But only two dogs are known to have survived, including Squibby the Jack Russell, who only just made it after swift treatment, and needed nine days on a drip.

Blood from the affected dogs was sent to an expert in Texas for analysis weeks ago, but tests for heavy metals, phosphorus, bacteria and other suspected toxins have proved negative.

The Forestry Commission, New Forest District Council and Lynwood and Forest veterinary clinics are also on the case, but they admit it has them stumped.

Just a week after launching an Animal Health Trust online questionnaire for all dog owners who have walked their pets in the Forest, Anderson Moores has had more than 150 responses. They hope to identify what might be different about the dogs which have been affected – most of them have been walked with other dogs.

Anderson Moores vet David Walker said: “The aim of the questionnaire is to build up a picture of the walking and feeding habits of non-affected and affected dogs.”

Fill out the questionnaire at aht.org.uk.