Blue and green toxic algae which can kill dogs found at Loch Lomond
DOG owners have been warned about a toxic algae that has appeared at a Scots beauty spot.
The blue-green matter produces toxins that is extremely deadly to dogs and has been sighted in Loch Lomond.
Visitors have been urged to keep themselves and their animals away from the deadly hazard.
The sunshine-loving algae, called cyanobacteria, naturally occurs in inland waters, estuaries and the sea.
It can also be harmful to humans, and can cause rashes if in contact with the skin.
People who have swam through or swallowed the algae can suffer from skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and muscle and joint pain.
Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning can take anything from 15 minutes to a few days to develop and can include vomiting (sometimes with blood), twitching, seizures and increased thirst.
Those poisoned may also suffer from drooling, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties.
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Loch officials cannot say when the dangerous substance will go away, depending on the weather and how warm the water is it can stay for just hours or for days.
Earlier this year a dog died after being poisoned by algae.
Vet warning after dog dies and other poisoned by blue-green algae in Scots water
The pooch passed away soon after showing symptoms, leading to vets issuing an urgent warning.
You should always report any blue green algae that has not been noticed to SEPA and your local council.
HOW TO SPOT BLUE-GREEN ALGAE
ACCORDING to Bute & Cowal Vets, blue-green algae can’t actually be seen until it starts clumping together
Once it clumps, there are a few different ways blue-green algae appears in water:
• It can look like a green or blueish scum on the water
• It might look like someone has thrown blue or green paint into the water
• It might clump together to look like seaweed
• It can appear in brown clumps alongside other weeds in the water
• It can appear as green flakes or brown dots
• It can turn water cloudy and give it a green, blue-green or greenish-brown appearance
• You might see foaming on the edge of the shore, which can look like sewage pollution.
Some (but not all) blue-green algae species release dangerous toxins into the water.
There’s no way of telling if algae is toxic just by looking at it and even blue-green algae isn’t always toxic – some types are safe while others are only toxic at certain times of year when they’re blooming
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