DOG

[Diaphone Jim]

A big problem in Northern California.

[glatt]

Our neighbor's dog died of this. It was very traumatic for them. Their "beach house" was on the Eastern shore of MD. Delmarva peninsula.

Who knew that splashing in the water would kill a dog?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Jim, is that because of the long dry spell then lots of rain?

glatt, that was in salt, or at least brackish water?

[glatt]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Jim, is that because of the long dry spell then lots of rain?



glatt, that was in salt, or at least brackish water?

I would guess brackish. They never said exactly which body of water it was, but their house is on a mouth of a small river where it enters the Chesapeake Bay. So I assumed that is where the dog got exposed. Maybe there was another body of water nearby where the dog was playing. I just don't know.

The dog took 2-3 days to die, if I remember correctly. So it sounds like maybe a mild case of this thing. The Vet told them it was a waterborne toxic bacteria. I had never heard of such a thing, and neither had they.

They have another dog now and said initially that it would never be allowed in the water, but I have seen pictures on social media of that dog splashing around.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Ben says, Play with it? Ain't nobody got time for that. Kill it and be ready for the next adventure, I mean what if Dad got on his bike while I was playing with it?

[Carruthers]

Algal bloom is an annual problem on this side of the Atlantic as well and, sadly, usually claims a number of canine victims.

This article is from the 14th August.

Toxic blue-green algae warning for dog owners and swimmers

Dog owners have been warned to take extra precautions while walking their pets amid a rise in reports of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) said it had seen an increase in reports including in Southampton, Edinburgh, Cornwall and Lincolnshire.

Contact with the algae can be fatal for animals if left untreated and can cause rashes and illness to humans.

The BVA urged owners to keep dogs on a lead around affected lakes and rivers.

It follows a number reports of dogs becoming ill or even dying after swimming in water suspected to be contaminated with blue-green algae.

In July, it was reported a King Charles Cavalier died after swimming in a lake at Delamere Forest, Cheshire, which was later closed because of the presence of blue-green algae.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA says a swan recovered from a lake containing algae in Southampton Common has died.

The bird was believed to be the mother of a pair of cygnets that were also rescued last week. One of the cygnets died and the other is undergoing rehabilitation.

Algae naturally occurs in inland waters such as rivers, streams and lakes and during long periods of warm weather it can multiply and form blooms.

Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria - a type of blooming algae - can produce toxins harmful to both humans and animals.

These toxins can be dangerous for animals if ingested, even in small quantities, the BVA said.

Dogs can swallow algae by drinking water from an affected lake, river or pond or when licking their fur after going for a swim, it added.

For the full spiel: Link