logo
Death of at least one dog prompts warning about toxic algae in B.C. lake

Death of at least one dog prompts warning about toxic algae in B.C. lake

CTV News6 days ago
A veterinary clinic in the B.C. Interior shared this image of blue green algae after a dog died from suspected exposure in July of 2025. (Credit: Facebook/kelownablackmountainvet)
The B.C. SPCA is out with a warning for pet owners after 'at least one' dog's death and multiple canine illnesses linked to toxic blue-green algae in a lake in B.C.'s Interior.
The animal welfare organization posted an alert to social media Wednesday saying one fatality has been confirmed this month in a pet that came into contact with toxic cyanobacteria, in Nicola Lake.
'These harmful algae blooms can produce toxins that are extremely dangerous to pets. Even a quick swim or lick of contaminated water can cause serious illness,' the B.C. SPCA's post said.
'Before letting your dog swim or drink from lakes, ponds, or streams, check for posted advisories and avoid any water that looks discoloured, scummy, or has a strange smell.'
An alert from the province's chief veterinarian also notes there have been two suspected cases of poisoning reported this July in pets after swimming in Nicola Lake.
The potentially deadly blooms are most common in stagnant freshwater bodies like lakes and ponds. However, they can also develop in faster-moving rivers and streams, and sometimes in places like fountains or birdbaths, according to the alert.
Signs cyanobacteria may be present include: 'discoloured water, ranging from green, to blue, red, purple or brown; unusual water surface textures that resemble paint or streaks, pea-soup, foam, scum, grass clippings, clumps or mats; and the presence of dead wild birds or fish.'
But the notice also notes the blooms are not always visible and the presence of toxins can't always be determined just by looking at the water.
'Blooms are not always obvious, and you can't tell whether a bloom is toxic by looking at it. If you suspect there is a bloom you should assume toxins may be present,' the advisory continues.
'Toxins can also persist after a bloom has dissipated or moved, so if there has been a recent bloom in the area, you should use caution before entering the water, even if the bloom is no longer visible.'
The blooms are also toxic to humans, but pets are particularly vulnerable to serious illness and fatal poisoning due to the amount of water they ingest while swimming or playing.
BC Parks has an advisory posted for Nicola Lake, saying 'a number' of algae blooms have been reported, and urging people to keep their pets out of the water.
More information on the toxic algae and is available online.
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/cyanobacteria-blooms-blue-green-algae
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

More disruptions to maternity services possible across B.C., health minister says
More disruptions to maternity services possible across B.C., health minister says

CBC

timea day ago

  • CBC

More disruptions to maternity services possible across B.C., health minister says

B.C.'s health minister says more disruptions could be coming to maternity services across the province after people with high-risk pregnancies in Prince George were warned they could be sent out of the city for care starting in August. Prince George is the largest service centre in northern B.C. and often provides health-care services for the entire region. But in a notice to patients on Monday, Northern Health said a shortage of obstetrical specialists could limit care options available to expecting parents in the city. "There will be occasions where we may need to transfer you (at no cost to you) to another centre in the province to ensure the safety of you and your baby," the health authority said. "The situation... is constantly evolving, and we are working to find coverage for any upcoming service gaps." Prince George is the latest in a wave of maternity care disruptions hitting communities across B.C. In May, doctors in Kelowna warned maternity services were on the verge of collapse amid a shortage of family physicians. Earlier this year, Dawason Creek's only obstetrician-gynecologist left the community, forcing high-risk patients to travel an hour north to Fort St. John for care. Despite recent efforts by the province to train and recruit more workers, Health Minister Josie Osborne says challenges to fill staff shortages remain. "I think there is a possibility that we will see that kind of strain on services elsewhere," Osborne said at an unrelated news conference on Monday. "The health authorities, I know, are doing everything that they can to alleviate that strain, to work with physicians and care teams to ensure that services are there for people." Osborne acknowledged the anxiety the disruptions are causing families, and said that no one in need of care would be turned away when a birth is imminent. "We'll do everything we can to support people in that incredible time of need," Osborne said. The province says it received almost 780 job applications from qualified American health professionals as part of its recruitment campaign in the U.S. Of the applications received between May and June, 181 were for Interior Health, 154 for Fraser Health, 121 for Vancouver Coastal Health, 112 for Island Health, and 63 for Northern Health. Osborne says more than 2,250 doctors, nurses and other health professionals have signed up for webinars and expressed interest in working in B.C. since the recruitment drive began in March.

WECHU warns of blue-green algae bloom
WECHU warns of blue-green algae bloom

CTV News

time2 days ago

  • CTV News

WECHU warns of blue-green algae bloom

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is issuing a precautionary notice to residents based on initial laboratory results of a blue-green algae bloom in the region. WECHU reports the bloom is in the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129, in between St. Joachim and Comber. While initial chemical analysis does not show the presence of Microcystin related toxins within the samples collected, toxicity may increase due to the algae identified in the bloom. The health unit said residents on the municipal drinking water system can continue to drink the water. Routine water testing is done by the municipal water treatment plant and at this time there are no concerns. 'As a reminder, wind and water conditions may move the blue-green algae bloom towards other areas. Residents and visitors are urged to take a cautious approach and protect themselves, their children, and their pets from potential health risks,' says Dr. Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health. Residents that use wells or cisterns that draw water directly from the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129 (such as private cottages with wells) are advised not to drink the water unless they are routinely testing for microcystins using a licensed lab and results show levels less than 1.5 ppb. What is blue-green algae? Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the late summer and early fall. They are usually present in low numbers but can rapidly increase in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that gets a lot of sun. When this happens, they can form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating scum on the surface of the water. These blooms can make the water appear bluish-green, can form solid looking clumps, and may contain toxins, called microcystins, that can be dangerous to human and animal health. Contact with microcystins can produce negative health effects in humans such as skin and eye irritations and if ingested can lead to headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store