The following is for people new to dogs or are unaware of the following info.

At this time of year, if the weather is warm, some still water ponds, which are infected, manifest what is known as blue algea or blue green algea.

Almost all London still water ponds or lakes etc carry it, the warm weather brings the spores to life.

In 1995 there was a massive spread of these spores to still waters thoughout the country, even some rivers were infected.

If your dog swims then it is up to you to see if the local environment agency knows if or not there is infection.

Your dog does not have to swim it only has to play with a dog which has been in infected water and the spores can be inhaled.

The is no realistic hope of survival and death, I am told by people to whom it's happend is agonising and drawn out.

On a personal level I will not allow my dog into still water ponds or lakes from now untill late Autumn.

Actually the risk is small and almost non existant for another few weeks yet. In order for Blue Green Algea to form you need plenty of sunshine, so in most years there is negligable amounts around. As Gundog Working Tests almost always include a retrieve off water I'm very grateful that it is such a rare occurance. What with tests and water training the average working gundog spends quite a lot of time in water.

John

Sorry John, I have to disagree.
Our local lake has put up the warning signs within the last couple of days :-( give it a few more days of sunshine and our lake will be 'glowing' again.

We have nothing around here Leigh, We've went water training earlier last week and we will be at Windlesham again in 2 weeks time!

You are very lucky then John :-)
It has infected our lake for a few years now. Several dogs died when it first appeared as no one realised the 'threat' at that time. Now they do, and warning signs are put up for those people who do not have the sense to question why the water is so 'green' and if it is safe! Warnings are also printed in local newspapers.

You are obviously getting rather better weather than we are then Leigh!

Out of water out of risk.

Aren't a lot of lakes having straw put in them to help with this problem?

Christine

Our local reservoir which feeds the canals (luckily isn't our drinking water) always has this problem during late summer time. The local water board always puts up notices to warn us, as the reservoir is very accessible and people often throw sticks in for their dogs to retrieve. As we're in the rainy old Peak District we don't seem to suffer from this algae problem until July/August time. It's a shame if it's setting in earlier, but I suppose we have had a spell of dry warm weather recently.

can any one help i have never heard of blue green algea before today and i was swimmimg in the thames with my dog today i am very worried as she is only a puppy can any one tell how to find out if the river was infected or does any one know it was in the thames at long witham i think thats how you spell it thanks missy

Missy, it only affects still water so the Thames should be fine, although I wouls be careful to kepp her on a line as the Thames can move pretty fast.

i had a feeling but a lot iff people on boats going past mentioned it thank you any way

Long sunny spells in mid to late summer are the worst times. The sun is powerful then and the single cell algea flurishes in still or slowly moving water. Lakes and ponds are the worst but it can often be found in the eddies on a bend where there is very little flow of water to flush it away. We had to abandon the water retrieve in a gundog working test in July because although the lake was clear on the Saturday when the tests were set, by Sunday there was the algea!

Regards, John

Warnings are now going up on the lakes around Milton Keynes.