My beloved dog Teddy was in great form chasing a ball on the beach when he came into contact with killer algae: 19 hours later he was dead
- Heather Baird was walking her dog on Castlerock beach, near Loch Neagh
A devastated dog owner has told of how her beloved dog Teddy died just 19 hours after coming into contact with killer algae in Northern Ireland.
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is a group of bacteria that can contain dangerous toxins harmful and potentially fatal to pets – and has been known to kill in less than 24 hours with no known antidote.
Devastated pet owners have told MailOnline how their previously healthy dogs have come into contact with the algae and suffered horrendous symptoms such as fits, seizures, ‘toxic’ diarrhoea and being sick.
Heather Baird said her ‘healthy’ three-year-old Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross Teddy came in contact with the algae on a beach walk and passed away just 19 hours later.
And Ashlyn Mernagh-Iles told MailOnline that her dog Bobby was left ‘fitting and seizing’ after just going near to the poisonous species – but miraculously managed to survive.
Heather Baird’s ‘healthy’ three-year-old Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross Teddy came into contact with the algae on a beach walk and passed away just 19 hours later. Teddy is pictured with Heather’s granddaughter
Teddy as a puppy on his first trip to Castlerock beach, around 30 miles away from Loch Neagh where uncontrollable blooms of algae have taken over
Algae on the surface of Lough Neagh as environmental campaigners hold a ‘wake’ to protest the lack of action
A map developed by the UK Centre of Ecology and Hydrology shows that the dangerous plant has 188 confirmed cases in the UK – with many more suspected, as pet owners have urged local authorities to take action.
READ MORE: Map shows where toxic green ‘mashed potato’ algae that can ‘kill canines in 24 hours’ is thriving in rivers, lochs, and ponds across UK
Heather took her dog Teddy for a walk on September 4 on Castlerock beach – around 30 miles away from Lough Neagh, which is currently devastated by uncontrollable blooms of the algae.
Less than 24 hours later, he passed away, leaving the family devastated.
They had avoided the beach for three months but given the green flags on the beach and lack of signs about algae, they were reassured to go ahead with the beach walk.
The grandmother said Teddy was in ‘absolutely great form’ as he chased his ball on the beach.
But after leaving the beach at around 4pm, Teddy began to be sick at 8.30pm.
The next morning Teddy couldn’t walk and had lost his hearing. At 10.50am, the vet phoned to say he had been poisoned and sadly passed away.
Heather told MailOnline: ‘We’re absolutely devastated. He was the centre of our family and a healthy lovely little dog deteriorated so suddenly.
After leaving the beach at around 4pm, Teddy began to be sick at 8.30pm and passed away the next morning
Teddy was out for a walk on Castlerock beach (pictured) before he went to paddle in the water
The River Bann estuary, known as the Barmouth, which feeds into the sea by Castlerock, has since tested positive for the presence of the plant
‘The vet told us ‘there is no cure. Your dog will die”. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, the way the little dog suffered.
Top tips for pet owners
Look out for any warning signs near water bodies.
Keep pets on a lead and by your side around water bodies known or suspected to have a blue-green algal bloom – don’t let pets swim in it or drink from it.
If your dog has been swimming outside, wash its coat thoroughly with clean water afterwards.
Seek emergency veterinary treatment if you’re concerned your pet may have ingested toxic algae.
Report sightings of suspected blue-green algae with a photograph via the Bloomin’ Algae app. You can also set up notifications for confirmed sightings in your area.
There are other ways to help your dog keep cool in the warmer weather: paddling pools can give them somewhere to cool off and you should always make sure they have access to clean water and shade if outdoors.
Source: British Veterinary Association
‘He had such a cheeky personality and followed our son everywhere.’
Teddy was a therapy dog for Heather’s son, a wheelchair user who has been left heartbroken by his loss.
She described Teddy as having a ‘cheeky’ personality, always wanting to be in someone’s lap or sleeping in their bed.
The River Bann estuary, known as the Barmouth, which feeds into the sea by Castlerock, has since tested positive for the presence of the plant.
Parts of the river have since been closed to the public after blue-green algae was discovered, Mid and East Antrim Council has confirmed.
Heather said she was told by the vet the next day that he would advise owners not to take their pets to the beach in any of the areas surrounding Loch Neagh.
Ashlyn Mernagh-Iles is another dog owner who has been left shaken by her pet’s encounter with the plant – although her beloved animal Bobby managed to survive.
The 58-year-old said she was walking her Coton De Tulear pooch in Crystal Palace Park on July 15 at around 4pm when he excitedly bounded over to one of the lakes.
Ashlyn could see that there was a bright green substance floating in the lake and tried to call Bobby back – but not before he managed to come in contact with the algae.
Soon after, Bobby’s head began to twist and Ashlyn rushed him to Dragon Vets in Cheltenham, where she said a vet confirmed he had come into contact with toxic algae.
Bromley Council have not yet confirmed the presence of toxic blue-green algae in the lake.
Ashlyn said: ‘Bobby stumbled and started to twist, which I initially thought could be down to his meningitis.
‘But he started fitting and seizing in the car on the motorway. He had chronic diarrhoea which burned down the back of his legs leaving blisters.
Ashlyn Mernagh-Iles’ dog Bobby began ‘fitting and seizing’ after a vet said he came into contact with the algae
Ashlyn (pictured) is another dog owner who has been left shaken by her pet’s encounter with the plant
She was walking her Coton De Tulear pooch in Crystal Palace Park on July 15. Bobby is pictured prior to the incident
Bobby still has a crooked tale, but Ashlyn said that the ‘twinkle in his eye’ has returned
‘It was so distressing. He was sitting and shaking and his body was completely twisted.
‘We thought he was going to have to be put down. I don’t know if he’ll ever get back to 100 per cent health.’
She added that Bobby was completely disorientated and couldn’t work out which way he was going. The horrendous seizures meant he couldn’t walk forward in a straight line.
There is no known antidote for pets coming into contact with the algae – and Ashlyn says she was ‘very lucky’ that Bobby is still alive and that the ‘twinkle in his eye’ has returned.
Bobby has made a miraculous recovery, although his tail is still crooked and he doesn’t always know when he needs to go to the toilet.
As the eight-year-old dog already had meningitis, it meant Ashlyn was acutely aware any problems and immediately rushed him to the vets, where he was given cooling treatments, antibiotics and his temperature was stabilised.
A ‘Bloomin Algae’ map developed by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) shows 188 confirmed places it is spreading – with 22 more possible cases.
The areas are mainly concentrated in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including near Edinburgh and Nottingham.
Correct sightings are marked as green dots, plausible ones are yellow and incorrect ones are grey.
A ‘Bloomin Algae’ map developed by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) shows 188 confirmed places it is spreading
It comes after the British Veterinary Association issued a warning to pet owners.
President Malcolm Morley said: ‘Toxic blue-green algae is very difficult to identify and, if ingested, can make dogs seriously unwell – and can even be fatal.
‘We’re urging pet owners to keep their dogs on leads near water bodies where blue-green algae has been confirmed or, if unsure if a water body is safe, to keep them away from it completely.
‘There is no known antidote for the toxins and prompt treatment is critical to help give a chance of recovery.
‘Symptoms can appear within a few minutes or hours of exposure, and commonly include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, disorientation, trouble breathing, seizures, and blood in faeces.
‘If you have any concerns or are worried your pet may have had contact with blue-green algae, speak to your vet as soon as you can.’
Both Heather and Ashlyn said that councils must take action towards the spread of algae.
Heather said: ‘They so seriously need to take action. This is something that was known for a long time and a blind eye has been taken to it.
‘Who is going to take responsibility?
‘We have lost Teddy and we can’t bring him back, but if losing Teddy highlights how serious this is, that will help in some small way.’
Experts have warned dog walkers to be on the lookout for a toxic algae that looks like ‘green mashed potato’ which can be fatal if ingested
Blue-green algae spreads in ‘blooms’ over lakes and rivers, transforming the water into a vibrant green colour and giving it an earthy or musty smell
Noxious blooms of algae have covered large parts of Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland across the summer
Ashlyn added: ‘To have it in a park is completely unacceptable. They need to be making sure it’s not there as the algae will be getting more as it’s getting hotter.
‘They’ve got a duty of care to people and animals to get rid of it.’
Heather is also concerned about the impact that the algae may have on people in the area, as well as their pets.
She noticed some green scum floating in her drinking water – but says Northern Ireland Water Service told her the water quality was ‘satisfactory’.
Heather continued: ‘Our drinking water is becoming so polluted and animals are dying.
‘A lot of people have been very sick after swimming in the sea. It’s very very frightening.’
While ingestion of the cyanobacteria is not known to be fatal to humans, it can cause severe illness.
In humans, contact with blue-green algae can cause skin rashes, sickness, stomach pains, fever and headaches.
There have been some reports of more serious illnesses including liver and brain damage, according to the Blue Cross, but there are no confirmed human deaths.
Children are at greater risk than adults of developing problems because of their lower body weight.
Heather has noticed some green scum floating in her drinking water – but says Northern Ireland Water Service told her the water quality was ‘satisfactory’
The Bloomin’ Algae app can be downloaded from both the Apple and Android app stores, so that if you spot an algal bloom, you can use it to send a photo and details of its location
Another four dogs lost their lives in early June after coming into contact with a toxic algae bloom at Lough Melvin, a lake on the border of County Leitrim in the north of Ireland.
Aoife Ferris, from Lakeland Veterinary Services, said the deaths may have been caused by the aggressive plant.
She told BBC News: ‘Dogs are obviously very warm in this weather but I would urge any dog owner not to let their pet near any stagnant, lake water.’
Freshwater lake Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is currently devastated by the algae, which has formed uncontrollable blooms over the summer.
Yet another dog collapsed in Conway, Wales, back in May due to suspected algae poisoning from rock pools in Anglesey.
A Natural Resources Wales spokesman said at the time: ‘We’ve received a report of possible blue-green algae in rock pools around Penmaen Park near to Penmaenmawr sail club.
‘Sadly, a dog has collapsed and died due to suspected algae poisoning. If you’re in the area, please keep yourselves and pets away from the water.’
The algae may appear as green or greenish-brown scum in lakes and ponds and often surfaces after dogs have been playing or children have been swimming.
Dogs may come into contact with it if they drink the lake water, lick their fur after swimming or even if they go too close to the shore of an affected water body.
The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology says that a key way to spot the algae is to poke a suspected site with a stick and check to see whether it breaks into small particles or clumps.
If so, it is likely to be the algae. If it has tiny round leaves, it is more likely duckweed. If it has hair-like strands it could be harmless filamentous algae.
In humans, contact with blue-green algae can cause skin rashes, sickness, stomach pains, fever and headaches.
There have been some reports of more serious illnesses including liver and brain damage, according to the Blue Cross, but there are no confirmed human deaths.
The algae has caused the deaths of dogs, horses, cattle, birds and fish across the UK.
Vet Dr Cheri Honnas told MailOnline that safer alternatives for aquatic fun for dogs can include visiting dog-friendly pools or lidos instead.
MailOnline has contacted Bromley Council and Northern Ireland Water Service for more information.
WHAT IS THE DEADLY ALGAE?
Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria (called cyanobacteria) that shares some of the same characteristics as plants.
Blue-green algae exists all over the world and is found naturally in many inland waters, estuaries and the sea.
Blue-green algae generally grows in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams when the water is warm and enriched with nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen.
The algae is very small and can’t be seen with the naked eye unless it is concentrated into clumps.
It tends to look like green flakes, greenish bundles or brown dots in the water.
When environmental conditions are just right, blue-green algae can grow very quickly.
It is buoyant and floats to the surface, where it forms scum layers or floating mats.
An extensive growth is sometimes referred to as a bloom.
What are the health risks?
Blue-green algae is capable of producing several different toxins. People may be exposed to these toxins through contact with the skin (e.g. when swimming), through inhalation (e.g. when motor boating or water skiing), or by swallowing contaminated water.
These toxins can cause skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, fever and headaches.
Occasionally, the toxins can cause more serious illness such as liver and brain damage.
Children are at greater risk than adults of developing problems because of their lower body weight.
How can the health risks be minimised?
Not all blue-green algae blooms and scums are toxic but it is not possible to tell from appearance and so it’s best to assume they are harmful and take the following precautions:
- Do not swim in the water
- Do not swallow the water
- Avoid contact with the algae
- Do not eat fish caught from the water
- Observe and abide by any warning notices positioned around the water
Anyone who has come into contact with water containing blue-green algae should shower with fresh water immediately.
Anyone who has come into contact with affected water and has become ill should seek medical attention.
Source: Public Health Wales
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