Second dog death attributed to algae

Staffy Mika, who died on Monday, is the second dog to have died after suspected consumption of...
Staffy Mika, who died on Monday, is the second dog to have died after suspected consumption of toxic algae in the Cardrona River. Photos supplied.
Cyanobacteria algae detected in  the Cardrona River is thought to have killed two dogs in the...
Cyanobacteria algae detected in the Cardrona River is thought to have killed two dogs in the past week.

A second dog has died following suspected poisoning by toxic algae in the Cardrona River.

Wanaka man Dean Murray said his Staffordshire bull terrier Mika became violently ill 30 minutes after being near the Cardrona River, close to Riverbank Rd, in Wanaka, on Sunday.

"We heard yelping and we thought she had been hit by a car.

"But she spewed up everywhere and she could hardly walk.''

Mika appeared to be recovering after he put her in her kennel, but the next morning he found her in a "pool of blood.''

"She was still alive, so we took her to the vet and they put a drip on her.

"The vet rang that night and said she was doing quite well and she could even sit up by herself.

"Then I got a call later that night saying that she just crashed and went downhill and died.''

Mr Murray said one of his children had been left "distraught'' by Mika's death.

He said Mika was treated at the Vetlife clinic in Wanaka and staff suspected she had been poisoned.

"The vet did mention algae but they were not sure if it was that.''

Yesterday the Otago Regional Council confirmed the death of another dog, that had been in the Cardrona River on Saturday, was probably due to toxic algae poisoning.

ORC resource science manager Dean Olsen said surveys of the river after that dog's death found cyanobacteria mats in the river.

Cyanobacteria such as Phormidium, which formed dark brown to black mats on the bed of the river, occurred naturally throughout New Zealand, and its growth was common during periods of low river flow and warm temperatures.

The mats could be identified by a strong musty odour, which meant some dogs would consume them, Dr Olsen said.

Not all species of cyanobacteria were toxic but non-toxic strains could not be distinguished from toxic ones.

"Studies have shown it is possible to have toxic and non-toxic strains of the same species within centimetres of one another,'' he said.

Previous dog deaths in Otago had been linked to Phormidium, but not in the Cardrona River, he said.

Given the recent rainfall in the area, mats might also be washed on to riverbanks.

It was the first such toxic algae death in the river.

"Monitoring the risk to dogs is extremely difficult, due to their [algae] wide distribution, scarcity within particular rivers, and the fact that a dog would only have to consume a relatively small quantity of toxic algal material to be poisoned.''

Dr Olsen did not say in a statement if the algae was harmful to people, but in 2014 the ORC warned people to avoid swimming in the Manuherikia River at Ophir and advised dog owners to keep their animals out of the water after Phormidium was found there.

The Environment Canterbury website warns Phormidium can be harmful to humans.

Dogs who had been near waterways and were showing signs of lethargy, muscle tremors, fast breathing and paralysis should be taken to a vet immediately, Dr Olsen said.

Aspiring Veterinary Clinic vet Richard Sides told the Otago Daily Times on Wednesday treatment for toxic algae consumption was often ineffective.

Members of the public should report any possible sightings of toxic algae to the ORC pollution hotline on 0800-800-033.

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz

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