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OSU confirms algae killed dogs
by Lynne Terry, The Oregonian
Thursday September 10, 2009, 5:26 PM
Scientists at Oregon State University confirmed today that a dog that died suddenly last month after playing in a creek in southern Oregon was poisoned by blue-green algae.
Jerry Heidel, director of OSU's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, said the dog tested positive for a neurotoxin released by the algae, which is also found in the pond in Laurelhurst Park in Southeast Portland.
Four dogs suffered convulsions and died after visits with their owners to Elk Creek near Elkton, which sits at the junction of highways 38 and 138 north of Roseburg.
Water samples from the creek confirmed the presence of blue-green algae, prompting the state to issue a health advisory for sections of Elk Creek and the Umpqua River near Elkton.
"Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, produce toxins that can result in illness and death, said Jerry Heidel, head of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at OSU.
"Pet owners need to be aware of the environment that they're letting their pets roam around in," he said. "Be cautious of standing water that's milky dark green to brown. If pets show any abnormal behavior, get them to a veterinarian ASAP."
The dog, an 11-year-old Husky named Kuta, died within a half a hour of playing in the creek on Aug. 21. Heidel is certain the owner's other dog, a 9-month-old blue heeler named Porter, was killed by the algae as well.
Two other owners who visited the creek also said their dogs died.
In Portland, blue-green algae is only a problem at Laurelhurst Park and mainly in the summer, said Jeff Milkes, south services manager for Portland Parks & Rec.
He said officials discovered it a few years ago and posted warning signs in several language and encircled the pond with yellow tape.
But that didn't keep people out. Milkes was most concerned about dogs running from an off-leash area nearby into the pond.
Now it is blocked off by chain-link fence that is about 4 feet high and the warning signs are still in place.
"I feel fairly comfortable that the fence will keep our four-legged friends out," Milkes said.
Portland officials are hatching a plan to remake the pond to get rid of the algae which blooms in standing water in warm weather.
Milkes does not know of any dogs that got sick after visiting Laurelhurst Park.
Heidel at the OSU lab said these four dogs deaths were the only that he had ever heard of statewide related to the algae.
The blue-green algae does occasionally kill livestock and can harm humans as well.
Every summer the state monitors lakes and rivers for the algae, closing waterways when they bloom. For information about blue-green algae health advisories, go here.
OSU confirms algae killed dogs - OregonLive.com
by Lynne Terry, The Oregonian
Thursday September 10, 2009, 5:26 PM
Scientists at Oregon State University confirmed today that a dog that died suddenly last month after playing in a creek in southern Oregon was poisoned by blue-green algae.
Jerry Heidel, director of OSU's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, said the dog tested positive for a neurotoxin released by the algae, which is also found in the pond in Laurelhurst Park in Southeast Portland.
Four dogs suffered convulsions and died after visits with their owners to Elk Creek near Elkton, which sits at the junction of highways 38 and 138 north of Roseburg.
Water samples from the creek confirmed the presence of blue-green algae, prompting the state to issue a health advisory for sections of Elk Creek and the Umpqua River near Elkton.
"Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, produce toxins that can result in illness and death, said Jerry Heidel, head of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at OSU.
"Pet owners need to be aware of the environment that they're letting their pets roam around in," he said. "Be cautious of standing water that's milky dark green to brown. If pets show any abnormal behavior, get them to a veterinarian ASAP."
The dog, an 11-year-old Husky named Kuta, died within a half a hour of playing in the creek on Aug. 21. Heidel is certain the owner's other dog, a 9-month-old blue heeler named Porter, was killed by the algae as well.
Two other owners who visited the creek also said their dogs died.
In Portland, blue-green algae is only a problem at Laurelhurst Park and mainly in the summer, said Jeff Milkes, south services manager for Portland Parks & Rec.
He said officials discovered it a few years ago and posted warning signs in several language and encircled the pond with yellow tape.
But that didn't keep people out. Milkes was most concerned about dogs running from an off-leash area nearby into the pond.
Now it is blocked off by chain-link fence that is about 4 feet high and the warning signs are still in place.
"I feel fairly comfortable that the fence will keep our four-legged friends out," Milkes said.
Portland officials are hatching a plan to remake the pond to get rid of the algae which blooms in standing water in warm weather.
Milkes does not know of any dogs that got sick after visiting Laurelhurst Park.
Heidel at the OSU lab said these four dogs deaths were the only that he had ever heard of statewide related to the algae.
The blue-green algae does occasionally kill livestock and can harm humans as well.
Every summer the state monitors lakes and rivers for the algae, closing waterways when they bloom. For information about blue-green algae health advisories, go here.
OSU confirms algae killed dogs - OregonLive.com