Lee Lamb said her golden retriever Briar consumed a small amount of algae while her family were visiting the river on Saturday.
‘‘The kids were scooping algae out and putting it in piles and she was only seven months, so she was still at that stage where she would taste everything.
‘‘I first noticed she wasn't well when she started to stumble.
‘‘She couldn't stand and then she started shaking.''
Ms Lamb said Briar was rushed to the Aspiring Veterinary Clinic, and appeared to be looking better.
After being at home for five minutes Briar's condition deteriorated to the point where she could not lift her head.
‘‘We rushed her back to the vet but she died on the way.''
Aspiring Veterinary Clinic vet Richard Sides who treated Briar, said toxic algae, when consumed by dogs, produced ‘‘quite a nasty disease.''
He said there were no other known reports of animals consuming the algae this summer.
‘‘It has been on our radar, though, because of it being an unusually warm and dry summer.
‘‘So that will promote low water flow and no flushing out and growth of the algae.''
He said treatment for toxic algae was ineffective and while sad, he was not surprised Briar died.
It was important dog owners were vigilant when walking their dogs near waterways.
‘‘The stuff that seems to be most toxic is a dark brown/black mat of algae at the river's edge.
‘‘Some dogs seem inclined to eat that stuff.
‘‘Others may get sick from drinking the water over the top of it,'' he said.
Mrs Lamb said the family visited the river regularly, and despite the shallow water and large amount of visible algae, they did not think the bloom was toxic because there were no signs.
‘‘Now I know what to look for.‘‘But I didn't want to find out this way.''
She said the the family were ‘‘gutted.''
‘‘I would hate for this to happen to anyone else.
‘‘We are absolutely devastated by it.
‘‘It is just the worst thing.
‘‘We are really gutted.''
The Otago Regional Council did not respond to questions yesterday.
-by Margot Taylor
