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Pet owners issue warning after dogs become violently ill at Chicago dog park

'I panicked, I was bawling. I thought my dog was dying.'

CHICAGO — Pet parents are on high alert in Chicago after several dogs became violently ill after a walk in a park.

WMAQ's Kate Chappell spoke with one pet owner, whose dog collapsed and had to be rushed to an animal hospital.

"I panicked, I was bawling," Meisha Gordon said. "I thought my dog was dying."

Gordon takes her 1 1/2 year-old dog, Zuri, to Milton Lee Oliver Park in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood often.

"We went out for her normal walk and she got really tired really quickly," Gordon recalled.

She says things went awry Monday when Zuri suddenly became lethargic, and eventually very ill, seemingly out of nowhere.

"She got up and was throwing up heavily and grossly," Gordon said.

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A vet at an emergency clinic told Gordon that Zuri had an allergic reaction. And Zuri's case isn't the only one to have happened recently.

Veterinarian Amanda Schnitker says she's heard of at least five similar cases, though she hasn't treated any of those patients personally. She's aware of the symptoms and wants all dog owners to also be on alert.

"The dog will have an acute collapse they may even completely fall over, suddenly lay down, flop over, be very limp," she said. "Then when the owner goes over and looks at them, looks at their gums, are white and very still." 

Schnitker says those symptoms are often a result of Anaphylactic Shock, which can be caused by spider bites, bee stings or certain plants.

"This cascade of symptoms can happen anywhere at any time, unfortunately," Schnitker said.

Chicago's Animal Care and Control says they are aware of the reports and that several city departments are investigating. 

Meanwhile, pet owners remain on high alert.

"They're my babies, so anything makes me a little bit nervous, so definitely will keep that in mind when we come back," said pet owner Rachel Collins.

Gordon says she and Zuri will spend time at a different dog park.

"Until they find out what it is or what's causing it or go in there and clear it out, it doesn't make sense to risk it again," she said.

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