No Dog Swimming in Broadwood Loch

[John Thomson]

Hi,
I have just had a call from a club member and amongst other things he asked if I had seem the new signs at Broadwood Loch............apparently they warn not to let your dog in the water due to a build up of algae in the loch.......I presume this is because we had a warm winter.........I remember this happened a few years ago, if the temperature does not get cold enough in Winter the bugs in the water survive and multiply
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Cassandra]

I was thinking about this the other day.

I remember a few news stories warning about certain types of algae growing in lakes, and rivers that will kill dogs if they go in the water. But there were no warnings going out to dog owners to be able to keep their dogs safe.

Do you have anymore information on it John?

[marcella]

there's no more info at the minute, but if we find out anything more we will update this thread.

As John mentioned this happened a few years ago too and it was on the news so it was brought to our attention.

Note to Kirsty - Keep Bob out of the loch!!!!

[John Thomson]

Apparently the offending algae is called blue-green algae which can kill a dog within an hour of ingestion!!!!!!!!!!

I'll try to find out more later.
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[kerry]

hi there, if it is blue green algae it is called cyanobacteria which does occur naturally in aquatic systems, but during favourable times(warmer months) populations can boom

if this happens problems start to occur, The water begins to smell and a green scum may appear on the surface. Some species of blue-green algae produce toxins which are extremely dangerous – unfortunately fatal to wildlife, marine animals, our pets and even us humans.

sorry thats all i can remember from my uni class

[Alison]

It's scary!
I used to live in Kingussie, just south of Aviemore, and the local loch used to have phases of having this blue-green algae. The algae forms a bloom in warm weather which is an irritant and toxic.
A number of poor dogs died due to it. Horrible.
It would be reported in the local paper but as lots of people visit that area, visiting dogs were sometimes victim to it. It is a big loch and although signs were put up dogs could be allowed in the water depending on where the people arrived at the loch.
It's good you brought the subject up John because the more people who are aware of it the better. They can pass it on to other dog people they know as I haven't seen any word of it anywhere else yet.

[marcella]

[Nicola]

I walk at the local dams every day, and there is some algae at the edges of the water there. My crossbreed loves to go into the water for a dip most days, I wonder if I should keep her out of the water. That will be hard though.

There are no signs here to tell us to keep dogs out of the water though.

[marcella]

Nicola I think it may be this particular type of algae only. But probably best to avoid water with any algae unless otherwise informed.
There should be warning signs if it's the 'cyanobacteria'.

[Nicola]

Thanks, Marcella, i'll bear that in mind.

I might just phone the local council though to enquire! I'm assuming it would be the local council I would phone?

[kerry]

from what i can remember it is just the blue green algae that is dangerous, the many other forms should be fine, but dont quote me on that when i get home i`ll look out my notes. i think to be the dangerous type it starts to disolour the water, to a green, blue greenish sometimes a greeny brown to be that algae, also it forms clumps or scum on the water, it generally happens on stale water. but i`m going to stop now as i`m not to sure.

[marcella]

[marcella]

[kerry]

its me kerry i`m studying Zoology at university at the moment, went back to to get my degree did do computer science beforehand but decided it wasnt for me. just going into my 3rd year, but marine biology is mixed in with it at the moment, still deciding if i want to change to marine or stick with zoology.

[John Thomson]

I have just emailed SEPA to ask for the details
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk