Lakesailor
New member
Is This A Risk To Dogs?
- Thread starter Lakesailor
- Start date
maxi77
Active member
Looks like blue/green algae to my non expert eye which I think is not good for humans never mind dogs. I would keep mine away until some one who really knew what it was and what the risks were
Plevier
Active member
According to BBC nature programmes - yes.
clyst
Well-known member
Is it tobacco smoke ?
salinia
New member
If its what I think it is blue gree algae then yes see hear:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/petshealth/8735638/Dog-dies-after-swallowing-algae-in-Lake-
Link doesn't work.
Cocker spaniel Holly died after swallowing blue green algae
The dog's owners, who were on holiday in the Lake District at the time, are angry the death of their pet could have been prevented if warning signs had been erected on the lake shore.
Mark Taras, wife Jackie, and eight-month-old Sophie said their holiday was 'ruined' when their working cocker spaniel Holly collapsed and died.
The 15-month-old dog had gone for a swim in Windermere by the couple's caravan on Saturday (AUG 27), but half-an-hour later started foaming at the mouth and then died.
The couple took their pet to Oakhill Veterinary Group, Windermere, where they say a vet told them their dog had died after swallowing blue-green algae.
Mr Taras, of Leeds, said: "We come to the Lake District about 15 times each year and we have never heard of this algae before.
"I am shocked there were no signs anywhere warning us about it.
"We came here instead of going abroad because we did not want to put our dog into kennels and now we are distraught.
"People come on holiday here with their pets and children and they go into the lake and I think that if there is a risk of coming into contact with blue-green algae people should be warned about it.
"To watch a dog die of it is horrendous. It is the worse thing I have ever seen."
He said that after complaining to the Environment Agency, the holiday park had put up temporary signs close to where Holly had been paddling.
But he added: "The signs are flimsy and have probably been put there to pacify us because we complained so much, but there should be proper signs."
The couple have produced a leaflet and intend to visit Windermere, Bowness, and Ambleside, to inform dog owners of the potential risk.
Mr Taras said: "It seems the Government bodies are trying to hush this.
"We were told that as of Saturday there were no traces in the lake, but a vet has confirmed that our dog died of it.
"There may not be big bits floating in the water, but it could be tiny and under a jetty."
Graham Miller, environment management team leader for the Environment Agency, said: "We have taken two recent samples from Windermere at the west shore to test for blue-green algae.
"This was in response to a report from the public of a possible blue-green algae bloom. Both of these samples were clear."
The vet was not able to comment due to client confidentiality.
Last June two other dogs died after swimming in the lake - a four-year-old greyhound called Jem and a lurcher.
Jem's owner, John Pratt, said: "He just collapsed. One minute he was fine and the next he couldn't stand."
Last September the UK's biggest swimming competition, the Great North Swim, was cancelled due to the prevalence of blue-green algae in Windermere.
Last month The Daily Telegraph reported that blue green algae was on the rise this summer, with recent outbreaks in the Norfolk Broads, Pembrokeshire and East Sussex.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/petshealth/8735638/Dog-dies-after-swallowing-algae-in-Lake-
Link doesn't work.
Cocker spaniel Holly died after swallowing blue green algae
The dog's owners, who were on holiday in the Lake District at the time, are angry the death of their pet could have been prevented if warning signs had been erected on the lake shore.
Mark Taras, wife Jackie, and eight-month-old Sophie said their holiday was 'ruined' when their working cocker spaniel Holly collapsed and died.
The 15-month-old dog had gone for a swim in Windermere by the couple's caravan on Saturday (AUG 27), but half-an-hour later started foaming at the mouth and then died.
The couple took their pet to Oakhill Veterinary Group, Windermere, where they say a vet told them their dog had died after swallowing blue-green algae.
Mr Taras, of Leeds, said: "We come to the Lake District about 15 times each year and we have never heard of this algae before.
"I am shocked there were no signs anywhere warning us about it.
"We came here instead of going abroad because we did not want to put our dog into kennels and now we are distraught.
"People come on holiday here with their pets and children and they go into the lake and I think that if there is a risk of coming into contact with blue-green algae people should be warned about it.
"To watch a dog die of it is horrendous. It is the worse thing I have ever seen."
He said that after complaining to the Environment Agency, the holiday park had put up temporary signs close to where Holly had been paddling.
But he added: "The signs are flimsy and have probably been put there to pacify us because we complained so much, but there should be proper signs."
The couple have produced a leaflet and intend to visit Windermere, Bowness, and Ambleside, to inform dog owners of the potential risk.
Mr Taras said: "It seems the Government bodies are trying to hush this.
"We were told that as of Saturday there were no traces in the lake, but a vet has confirmed that our dog died of it.
"There may not be big bits floating in the water, but it could be tiny and under a jetty."
Graham Miller, environment management team leader for the Environment Agency, said: "We have taken two recent samples from Windermere at the west shore to test for blue-green algae.
"This was in response to a report from the public of a possible blue-green algae bloom. Both of these samples were clear."
The vet was not able to comment due to client confidentiality.
Last June two other dogs died after swimming in the lake - a four-year-old greyhound called Jem and a lurcher.
Jem's owner, John Pratt, said: "He just collapsed. One minute he was fine and the next he couldn't stand."
Last September the UK's biggest swimming competition, the Great North Swim, was cancelled due to the prevalence of blue-green algae in Windermere.
Last month The Daily Telegraph reported that blue green algae was on the rise this summer, with recent outbreaks in the Norfolk Broads, Pembrokeshire and East Sussex.
Last edited:
DownWest
Well-known member
We recently had some wild boar snuff it on beaches in the region. Finally blamed on algie, after a lot of tests.
Billjratt
Active member
These forums often contain information which should really be impressed on the visiting public. I didn't know about this stuff, but then I don't spend any time in/on fresh water.
Surely the Environmental Protection Agency - who's wages we pay - are responsible for keeping a safe distance between the ignorant public and nasty dangerous things they have not managed to contain/eradicate.
The people who were sadly affected by this problem should not have had to take on the responsibility of warning others, although it's easy to understand why they did.
They (HollyMinster) seem to be able to fill our letterboxes with a tsunami of pish on the run up to an election, but not when they have potentially life-saving information...
UK board of directors and management group need a good shake-up.
We've got beaches closed on the Forth due to radio-active particles - I know this because it was on the television news. Why was the blue-green not profiled as well?
WTF else is out there? and how many have to suffer in order to bring it to our attention?
Surely the Environmental Protection Agency - who's wages we pay - are responsible for keeping a safe distance between the ignorant public and nasty dangerous things they have not managed to contain/eradicate.
The people who were sadly affected by this problem should not have had to take on the responsibility of warning others, although it's easy to understand why they did.
They (HollyMinster) seem to be able to fill our letterboxes with a tsunami of pish on the run up to an election, but not when they have potentially life-saving information...
UK board of directors and management group need a good shake-up.
We've got beaches closed on the Forth due to radio-active particles - I know this because it was on the television news. Why was the blue-green not profiled as well?
WTF else is out there? and how many have to suffer in order to bring it to our attention?
Lakesailor
New member
Yep. You've all got the drift.
The couple whose dog died, whilst it was very sad for them, seem to have been coming here for 15 years but never heard of the blue/green algae?
We've lived here for 9 years now and every year it is an issue which is reported in the local paper.
Warnings at the Tourist Centres, notices at the Wardens office etc.
Most public amenity lake access areas have notices posted.
The Environment Agency test regularly and the Freshwater Biological Association "In Cumbria, England. Conducts research into all aspects of freshwater science and technology, with particular emphasis on freshwater algae"
It's not a secret.
But if you are here, or anywhere else it is a problem, be careful about dogs, they really don't like it.
This stuff is sort of nearly visible until you disturb it, like with the oar in this shot.
The couple whose dog died, whilst it was very sad for them, seem to have been coming here for 15 years but never heard of the blue/green algae?
We've lived here for 9 years now and every year it is an issue which is reported in the local paper.
Warnings at the Tourist Centres, notices at the Wardens office etc.
Most public amenity lake access areas have notices posted.
The Environment Agency test regularly and the Freshwater Biological Association "In Cumbria, England. Conducts research into all aspects of freshwater science and technology, with particular emphasis on freshwater algae"
It's not a secret.
But if you are here, or anywhere else it is a problem, be careful about dogs, they really don't like it.
This stuff is sort of nearly visible until you disturb it, like with the oar in this shot.
Searush
New member
They ban sailing on the local pond when we get an "infection". But the silly beggars keep falling in so I suppose it is a danger to them. 
Lakesailor
New member
It seems that the risk to humans is just a bit of gippy tummy.
For dogs it can kill within a couple of hours.
For dogs it can kill within a couple of hours.
aquaplane
Active member
It sounds like the folk with the dog feel really guilty, and are propably grieving, and want to blame someone, anyone, but not themselves. As Lakey says, it's no secret, just about every year there is a warning so I can't see how regular visitors wouldn't know.
Poor dog.
Poor dog.
AntarcticPilot
Well-known member
Perhaps it is also worth pointing out that algal blooms can be very local and very short-lived. Lakey's picture seems to show something that is probably fairly local; Windermere is a pretty big lake and at any one time only a tiny fraction of it will be affected. Round ANY standing freshwater body there is a generic risk of there being blue-green algae present; except under unusual conditions, predicting when and where there will be algae is probably beyond official capability. FWIW, I'd tend to be careful where the water is shallow, especially if there had been a warm spell. Of course, official notices can really only happen when there is a general danger - which can happen; there are often low key generic warnings in the Fenland (which has a lot of slow moving surface water).
I must admit I knew they were dangerous to people, but didn't know they were far more so to dogs.
I must admit I knew they were dangerous to people, but didn't know they were far more so to dogs.
dylanwinter
Active member
labrador
eaten much worse and lived
Dylan
eaten much worse and lived
Dylan
sighmoon
Active member
Walking about around Burnham on Crouch this summer, I was amazed at the number of warning signs - every structure is labelled something like "No public access. Do not climb on this structure." and every creek or pond says "Dangerous water - entry forbidden."
Given that the risk is not really location specific, you've got to wonder if the best course of action is warning signs (and what about guide dogs?) or public education. Dog owners seem to be aware of the risk of traffic without labelling each car as a hazard.
Given that the risk is not really location specific, you've got to wonder if the best course of action is warning signs (and what about guide dogs?) or public education. Dog owners seem to be aware of the risk of traffic without labelling each car as a hazard.
Lakesailor
New member
To be fair, the risk of a car to a dog is pretty obvious and well documented.
To someone coming to a large body of water for the first time, (lots of our guests were Lake District first-timers) it wouldn't be obvious. Especially as from the shore it is difficult to see the growth.
On the other hand, as you say, there would need to be signs every 50 yards along the shore, and people still wouldn't read them.
Another tack may be to address dog owners via the vets or the dog licence system.
All costs money though.
To someone coming to a large body of water for the first time, (lots of our guests were Lake District first-timers) it wouldn't be obvious. Especially as from the shore it is difficult to see the growth.
On the other hand, as you say, there would need to be signs every 50 yards along the shore, and people still wouldn't read them.
Another tack may be to address dog owners via the vets or the dog licence system.
All costs money though.
G12
Member
I'm sure this forum was Yachting Monthly, not Dogging Monthly.......
electrosys
New member
Well - some folk here are into Yachting, and some are into Dogging ...
... or so it would appear ?
salinia
New member
Just be careful where you do your dogging you might catch something!
Rigger Mortice
N/A
FFS, it's only a dog. Of course it's a pity that the mutt died and of course the owners are upset but it needs to be put in perspective. These things happen. It's tough but it really isn't a tragedy.
The next thing we'll be seeing is somebody popping up on our screens saying "It must never happen again."
The next thing we'll be seeing is somebody popping up on our screens saying "It must never happen again."
Lakesailor
New member
It must never happen again.
Our paper is often touting a "Farmer shot my dog" story. However, being a local paper the slant of the report is usually "It's your fault, matey"
Our paper is often touting a "Farmer shot my dog" story. However, being a local paper the slant of the report is usually "It's your fault, matey"
