Hello!
My dog is a real water lover, but I am a little bit concerned about letting her swim in some of the lakes in our area due to algae etc, Not being an algae expert, could anybody tell me what exactly is poisionous, how to identify it, and at what time of year it is found. One lake nearby had signs up regarding a blue-green algae which was potentially dangerous, but not all lakes have these signs. I hate to keep her out of the water but it is a bit of a worry. Any advice?

Past thread: Blue-green algae

I believe that that blue-green algae is very dangerous. I think that it can give your dog some kind of skin condition, though don't take my word for it - I'm not sure how I know this so it may not be reliable!

Daniel.

Thanks, have read the past thread. I assume that it is safe until the summer months. Is there anything else to take into consideration except for algae?

Pike....don't laugh....I heard of a peke being taken & eaten recentlY!!

OMG - now that's the sort of thing you don't think of if you have a small dog !!!

Lindsay

Try to keep your dog out of water if you don't know what's in it....it doesn't do a dog any good to leap into a canal and land on a shopping trolley..:(

A good rule of thumb: if you won't swim in it, don't have your dog swim in it!

So, where can dogs swim these days? I wouldn't swim anywhere but a swimming pool (Northampton's as far from the sea as you can get!!) I don't think they're keen on dogs in swimming pools.....:D :D :D ;)
Cathy.

But I wouldn't let my dog swim in chlorinated water........