Toxic Algae: How to spot the deadly bacteria in water
A Dunoon vet is telling Forth 1 what to look out for in local lochs and ponds to keep our pets safe from toxic blue-green algae.
Last updated 22nd Jul 2021
On what is set to be the hottest day of the year so far there's a warning about letting our dogs cool off in lochs and ponds because of the danger from blue-green algae. One dog recently died of toxic poisoning after playing on the shores of Loch Eck near Dunoon.
Argyll based vet practice Bute and Cowal recently took to social media to warn pet owners of the dangers of letting dogs swim in bodies of water infected with blue-green algae after seeing an increased number of pets coming into the practice with symptoms of poisoning.
How to spot blue-green algae
Catrina MacIntyre is a vet with Bute and Cowal and has been telling us what to look out for in the water.
She said: "Blue-green algae is a bacteria that grows in still or slow flowing water during warm weather. You can't see it until it starts clumping together and that's when it turns blue. It can be quite difficult to spot.
"It might look like greenish blue scum on the water or like someone has thrown paint into the water. It can clump together and look like seaweed, sometimes with a brownish colour and turn the water cloudy.
"You might also see foam at the edge of the water, which makes it look a bit like sewage. These are all signs that blue-green algae is present.
The signs and symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning
Catrina said: "Not all types of blue-green algae are toxic but the ones that are can be very dangerous. If swallowed these toxins can cause organ damage like liver damage some cause nerve paralysis and some can be fatal.
"Sometimes there's a wee bit of vomiting, sometimes there's a bit of twitching and drooling and sometimes diarrhea. Sometimes you can get seizures and sometimes, with the ones we have seen, there is breathing difficulties.
What to do if you suspect blue-green algae poisoning
"Your dog is at risk of blue-green algae poisoning if they've been swimming in or drinking in contaminated water, especially if they've been swimming in it because what dogs tend to do when they've been swimming is dry themselves off by licking their fur and then the ingest it that way.
"Don't allow them to lick their fur, wash them if you can and call your vet straight away. The more toxins your dog takes in the worse the poisoning will be so speed is of the essence."
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