wrote:

This is relevant since people here have dogs and outdoor cats and
ferals also drink from these water sources

---------- Forwarded message ----------


FROM ANOTHER LIST:

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this and I apologize for
its length.
Please, PLEASE pass this around.

On Monday, June 25, 2007 I took my healthy 9 month old Border Collie
Vita swimming at approximately 6:30 p.m. Vita and two other BC's spent
about an hour and a half diving off the dock, chasing the Water Kong,
and
running around. The temperature that day was just over 90 degrees, but
none of the dogs looked particularly winded or hot.

Vita emerged from the water and looked as if she was going to vomit.
She threw up lake water three times. I wasn't particularly concerned
as she took in a lot of water from retrieving and swimming so much and
had seen other dogs do that in the past without complications. After
the third time throwing up, she lay down and closed her eyes. Her
tongue was hanging out of her mouth and I began to suspect she may
have heat stroke. I immediately placed ice on her stomach and checked
her gums. They were pink. I took her temperature which was 101.9,
still normal. I then called my Vet who said these conditions did not
indicate heat stroke and said I needed to get emergency medical
attention right away.

Vita was not responsive and when I picked her up to put her in the car
she was limp and her eyes were still closed. snip
For the time being, I would strongly suggest you watch your dogs when
swimming in small lakes and
ponds as the potential threat of toxic poisoning from Blue Green Algae
is prevalent. Had I known that algae of any kind was toxic, you can be
sure my dogs wouldn't be swimming anywhere and that Vita, whose name
quite
ironically meant "life" in Latin, would be alive today.

Missing you more than you can imagine. May you rest in peace, Red Top
Vita 09/05/06 -06/26/07
Bob Tatus

PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

How horrible!
Purrs,
Polonca and Soncek