Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

Kia Ora
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and that there are some features you can't use or read.

We are an active community of worldwide senior members participating in chat, politics, travel, health, blogging, graphics, computer issues & help, book club, literature & poetry, finance discussions, recipe exchange and much more. Also, as a member you will be able to access member only sections, many features, send personal messages, make new friends, etc.

Registration is simple, fast and completely free. Why not register today and become a part of the group. Registration button at the very top left of the page.

Thank you for stopping by.

Join our community!

In case of difficulty, email worldwideseniors.org@gmail.com.
If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Local dogs death; Summer toxic algal bloom
Topic Started: Jan 3 2008, 11:22 PM (36 Views)
Kahu
Member Avatar

Dogs' deaths trigger river algae warning
REBECCA PALMER - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 03 January 2008


The public should avoid contact with the Hutt River after two dogs died of suspected toxic algal poisoning, health officials say.
The two basset hounds died within an hour of getting home after exercising near the Kennedy-Good Bridge in Lower Hutt on Tuesday night.

Lower Hutt City Council has put up temporary signs in popular dog-walking and swimming areas at the Taita, Belmont and Boulcott sections of the river, where mats of blue-green algae have been found.

The dogs' owner, Sue Wilkinson of Lower Hutt, said she had taken all five of her basset hounds to the river. Two had gone in the water and three had stayed on the river's edge just "mooching around".

"I've been taking them there for years."

They were all fine when they got home but about half an hour later, 10-year-old Sarah was lying on the ground with foam around her mouth. Mrs Wilkinson and husband Dale took the dog to an after-hours vet but she was dead by the time they arrived.

Because she was relatively old, they did not suspect other dogs would be affected. But when they got home, a younger dog, Reg, was lying dead in his kennel.

They called their own vet, who offered to check the surviving dogs. He also performed an autopsy on Reg and found what was thought to be blue-green algae in his stomach.

Neither of the dogs that died had been swimming, Mrs Wilkinson said. "The two that went swimming were fine."

Their deaths had happened without warning.

"They had been eating their tea so they were obviously feeling okay. It must have happened really quickly after that."

People should keep their dogs away from areas by the river that smelt like compost, she said.

The Wellington Regional Public Health medical officer of health, Annette Nesdale, said dogs were particularly susceptible to the toxins caused by cyanobacterial mats.

"Dogs just drinking a very small amount can be fatal."

Human contact with blue-green algae - either through skin contact or swallowing - could cause rashes, skin and eye irritations, allergic reactions and gastrointestinal upsets, Dr Nesdale said.

Exposure to high levels of toxins could result in serious illness or death.

The algal mats spread in warm, dry conditions and it was likely that other rivers in greater Wellington were also affected.

"Before people use rivers for recreation, just have a look and see whether the water is dirty or murky, and whether it has an earthy smell," she said.

People or animals who became sick after being near the river should be taken to their doctor or vet.

Five dogs died in the summer of 2005-2006 after coming into contact with algal mats in the Hutt River.

TOXIN ALERT: Blue-green algae is a microscopic organism that is naturally present in many New Zealand waters, particularly when river flows are low and temperatures consistently warm. It grows as a mat attached to the river bed. Some algal mats produce toxins that could be harmful to humans, dogs, livestock and wildlife. Contact with blue-green algae can cause rashes, skin and eye irritation, allergic reactions and stomach bugs. Exposure to high levels of toxins can result in serious illness or death. River users should avoid contact with any thick, dark-brown algal mats, particularly those that are easily accessible, exposed on river edges or floating in shallow areas of riverbanks or near rocks. If people are concerned about their animals, they should contact a vet immediately and report the incident to the local council.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
agate
Member Avatar

That does not sound good Alan. I guess it is a good time to keep your pets close to home.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Kahu
Member Avatar

Dogs, especially those tracking/hunting breeds, are apparently attracted to the scent of blue-green algae. The pink-red algal blooms can affect humans too.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Pets & Wildlife · Next Topic »
Add Reply