Dog's illness linked to river

Rose became seriously ill after swimming in the Waihao River, where it was believed potentially...
Rose became seriously ill after swimming in the Waihao River, where it was believed potentially toxic algae levels present.
High levels of the potentially toxic cyanobacteria algae have left parts of another South Canterbury river a no-go-zone. People and animals, particularly dogs, are advised to avoid affected areas until health warnings are lifted. One couple explains what happened to their dog, which they suspect ran into one of the affected rivers. ALEXIA JOHNSTON reports

Diana and Ernie Whipp's dog Rose is a battler, after suffering for months from a serious infection believed to have been caused by a toxic South Canterbury river.

Mr and Mrs Whipp, of Christchurch, watched the health of their Labrador plummet following a walk near the Waihao River in February.''

We'd been exploring the Waimate district,'' Mrs Whipp said. ''We'd been doing some of the walks and we decided to do the one that's ... along the side of the Waihao River. Being a dog, [Rose] immediately saw the water and jumped straight in.''

The couple were unaware the river had ''potentially toxic levels'' of cyanobacteria. The result for Rose was drastic.

''She developed the most hideous rashes in her ears, around her paws and around her lips. It was red raw,'' Mrs Whipp said.''It was really horrible.

''There was one evening she was so ill, she curled up into a ball and was very stiff.''

The couple took Rose to a vet, who diagnosed her with an allergy. She was put on a diet of ''really expensive'' food and restricted exercise. She had to wear a cone around her neck to stop her from licking her wounds.

Rose, who lost 3kg during her illness, has slowly recovered.

''The vet never suggested [Rose] needed to be put down but I know she was very ill. When a dog curls up and becomes very stiff like that, it would suggest organ failure,'' Mrs Whipp said.

In July, the Whipps mentioned Rose's illness to a family member who worked in animal health. It was then that the link between the river and toxic levels of cyanobacteria were put together.

Mrs Whipp reported the incident to the Waimate District Council. She said if they had known they would have kept Rose, and her brother Doc, on a lead. Doc, being a ''wimp'', did not run into the water during their February walk, she said.

Rose is now back to full health and has regained the weight she lost.

''Fortunately, she's got through it.''

However, there would ''absolutely not'' be any more walks along the Waihao River for the Whipps' dogs.

''We really love our dogs,'' Mrs Whipp said.''They are part of our family.

''To see one dog feeling so, so ill, it was really horrible,'' she said.

''Labs love three things - their food, their walks and their people. [Rose] had to miss out on two of those things for a very long time.

''As it turned out, it would have been unnecessary if we had seen a warning about [the potentially toxic river].''

Mrs Whipp wants the council to consider modifying its pamphlets about local walks to suggest people keep their dogs on a lead in case of dangerous levels of cyanobacteria in the rivers.

The levels fluctuate, particularly over the warmer months. Environment Canterbury (ECan) monitors the levels in areas popular for swimming. Those with toxic levels are added to a list on the ECan website.

If high levels are detected, a sign is usually installed in the area affected - either by ECan or the council responsible for that particular river.

South Canterbury rivers that have warnings in place include the Temuka River near the State Highway 1 bridge, the Waihao River at Bradshaw's Bridge, Gum Tree Flat Rd, also known as Don's Hole, and the Opihi River at Waipopo Huts.

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