Remember the dangers of Blue/green algae

mommy · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject:

Jill

Here is a selection of pics....and info

http://images.google.com/images?as_q=blue%2dgreen+algae&num=20&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&hl=&as_oq=&as_eq=&imgsz=&as_filetype=&imgc=&as _sitesearch=&imgsafe=active

Goldentouch · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject:

Hi, Today its been relatively warm.... Theres been a strong cool wind aswell though. (I'm up by Dundee/Angus area)
Last time he swam in it, was maybe about a months or 2 ago.. so i think it maybe was cooler weather.

I'm quite worried. He seems perfectly fine. Just sleeping after his long walk like he usually does. I towel dried him when we got home, but i have been considering giving him a bath/shower aswell? Maybe that would help if he did get any on him?
He wasn't in the pond for long. Max he was in it for was 50 seconds before i noticed what was on the edges of the pond and called him out.
I couldn't get him out any sooner as he raced over to the pond for a swim before i reached it and saw.

Goldentouch · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:49 pm Post subject:

Oh, those pictures on that link look a little different so maybe it wasn't.

The closest picture i could find to what i saw on the water surface is this-

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/graphics/taxonomy/JSC%209906%20South%20Pond.JPG

Sorry the picture is really small and not very clear, but its all i could find that was remotely close to what i saw.

Just found another, that may be a little clearer....
http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/habitat/photosbig/Ephemeral%20pond,%20Sawyer%20Co.%20(Hanson%20Lake%20pond),%2000-07-28_EJJ.jpg

At the very foot of the picture on the pond- thats what was in the pond Leo swam in. Although there was much much less of it.
There was only about maybe 2 fist-full size clumps in the whole pond where Leo was in.

Angelsmum · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:52 pm Post subject:

Oh

thanks for that warning. thankfully my boys only swim in the sea(well doggy paddle) and the stream there is fast running and always clear.I will though be keeping a close eye on them when they romp on the moors,theres some suspect ponds there Wink

thanks again

mommy · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:57 pm Post subject:

The toxins have to be ingested Jill so whether he was in for 2 mins or 20 makes no difference.....equally he doesnt even need to swim to cath it....just sniffing along the waters edge could do it....

Have you read all the links I gave further back in the thread?

Also google your local council / water authority and see if there is an alert out.......all water boards have to alert and known cases.

Goldentouch · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:09 pm Post subject:

Just reading the links you posted now. Ohh i hope we have been lucky and it was just some green stuff that isn't harmfull.
I'll be extra vigilant after this scare! Which i hope it only turns out to be, a scare.
He'll only be swimming at the beach or in the flowing stream from now on, unless i know for 100% sure its safe.
Thats been 2 hours now and i have been watching him constantly and he seems alright. I'v goodled the council water and nothing along the lines or warnings or alerts seem to be coming up. Fingers and toes crossed.

mommy · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:17 pm Post subject: