Please do not let your dogs enter and/or drink from the water at Strathclyde Park as the blue-green algae levels are higher than normal and are toxic to dogs if ingested. Toxins can cause symptoms in your dog and in as little as 30 to 60 minutes after your dog is exposed.
North Lanarkshire Council have erected signs around the loch and continue to monitor the situation. For more information, please contact North Lanarkshire Council directly.
If you are concerned that your pet may have been exposed to algae, please contact your vet immediately.
Symptoms Of Blue-Green Algae Poisoning in Dogs
What to Do If You Suspect Blue-Green Algae Poisoning
Rinse your dog off with fresh water as soon as possible to remove as much bacteria as you can.
If you're not sure if your dog licked or drank any water ... follow the instructions below.
Watch your dog carefully for any signs of illness.
If your dog did lick or drink any water, you need to get him to the vet as soon as possible. But follow the instructions below for some things you can do right away that can help!
Caution: If out of hours, go to Vets Now, Charing Cross. Don't wait till morning. That may be too late. Call ahead to let the clinic know you're on your way and why. They can be contacted on 0141 328 7513.
But right away ... there re things you can do to start helping your dog.
Supplies To Carry With You (Shopping List)
Remedies To Help With Blue-Green Algae Poisoning
Note: Follow these recommendations if you see any rapid onset symptoms when your dog's been in the water – even if you didn't see blue-green algae! It can hide for a long time in corners and other less visible places.
If your dog has no symptoms but you think he might've drunk some water immediately give a dose of activated charcoal. This is best used within an hour or two of exposure.
Charcoal binds to toxins and can help remove them from his body. If he has swallowed some toxic water, it could help him eliminate the toxins.
If he hasn't drunk any water, the charcoal won't hurt him.
Dosing Charcoal
Depending on which charcoal option you bought, here's how to give it:
Amount: 1 ml per lb of body weight. It's a good idea to calculate how much you'll need ahead of time.
If you know your dog has swallowed some water that you suspect is toxic ...
Caution: If your dog has a seizure or is unconscious, don't give either hydrogen peroxide or charcoal. He needs to be able to swallow the liquids.
1. Immediately give hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting.
Only do this if it's been less than 2 hours since he drank the algae water. If it's been more than 2 hours go straight to 2, activated charcoal.
Amount: using a syringe, give 1ml (or cc) per pound of body weight of hydrogen peroxide.
The easiest way to do it is to hold his head level or slightly tilted ... then use the syringe to squirt the peroxide into the side pouch near the corner of his mouth. Don't tilt his head back too far ... you don't want him to aspirate the peroxide.
He should vomit quickly. If not, repeat that dose once within 15-20 minutes.
If nothing happens the second time ... switch to dosing the activated charcoal. Don't wait too long.
2. After the peroxide, give a dose of activated charcoal (see Dosing Charcoal above).
Don't be alarmed if your dog vomits or has diarrhoea. He needs to get the toxins out of his body. When you get to the vet, they'll make sure he's hydrated and will give fluids if needed.
Once You've contacted a Vet
Let your vet take over and do what's necessary to save your dog. This is an emergency and not the time to be quibbling about sticking with natural care.
Some dogs with healthy immune systems may not even get sick. But the dogs who are affected can die very quickly. So you need to be prepared.
And again, don't waste time waiting to get to your regular vet. Find the closest clinic that's open and go straight there.
Sources: https://www.doghealth.co.uk/
