Blue / Green Algae - Please read.

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject: Blue / Green Algae - Please read.

ALGAE WARNING AS LABRADORS DIE AFTER DRINK

Two labradors have died of algae poisoning after drinking at a popular river beauty spot.

Kate Birrell had taken her two dogs, clara and her 6 month old daughter eva, for their daily exercise along the banks of the River Tay at Balmerino, when both animals drank stagnant water.

It is believed the water had been infected by the Blue-Green algae bacteria and the dogs died at the vets shortly after wards. Liquid was found in their lungs.

Mrs Birrell said "the dogs had a drink of some stagnant water close to the shore and within half an hour we knew something was wrong. Claras legs were shaking and she was going ridged. While we were on the phone to the vet, Evas eyes were rolling around in her head."

CONVULSIONS
"we got them both in the car, but by the time we got to the vets, they were both having convultions- I could barely hold eva, she was shaking so violently."

The deaths came during the same week that Fife Council and NHS Fife issued a warning about an outbreak of 'dangerous blue-green algae' in the river. The poisonous algae bacteria forms naturally in lochs, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and the sea and can kill animals and cause serious harm to humans.

It can multiply during summer months, causing the water to appear dirty green, and scum can form on the water surface. It can cause skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and muscle and joint pains.