Dog’s death cues algae-toxin tests

A Cleveland-area lab told Metro Parks officials yesterday that it detected toxins produced by algae in a Three Creeks Metro Park pond where a dog drank water and later died…

..Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are common in Ohio lakes and streams but grow thick in water after feeding on phosphorus from manure, fertilizer and sewage that wash into waterways. The algae can excrete liver and nerve toxins that can sicken people and kill pets, fish and wildlife.

A preliminary Ohio Department of Agriculture report concluded that the dog died of severe anemia attributed to internal blood loss consistent with a bleeding disorder. The report said algae blooms can produce toxins causing liver damage that affects blood clotting, but rat poison can also affect it…

…Metro Parks also will test water samples from lakes at Prairie Oaks and Battelle Darby Creek metro parks, Deputy Director Larry Peck said. Dogs swim in those lakes.

Peck said he didn’t know the concentrations of toxins found in the Heron Pond water but that they were at potentially lethal levels.

The fatality was the first reported pet death in Ohio this year that might be associated with a toxic-algae bloom…more

Warnings back at 2 beaches on Buckeye Lake

algae warnings, courtesy Columbus Dispatch

Toxic blue-green algae have re-emerged at Buckeye Lake, prompting state officials to post health warnings yesterday at two public beaches…

The microcystin concentrations do exceed a state-set standard of 6 parts per billion in water, meant to protect children…

Blue-green algae are common in most Ohio lakes and streams, but they can grow thick feeding on phosphorus contained in sewage, manure and fertilizers that rains wash into streams.

The algae can excrete as many as four types of liver and nerve toxins in water, which can sicken people and kill pets, fish and wildlife…

Last summer, the state posted warnings at 20 state waterways…more

Fish Similar To Piranha Found In Buckeye Lake

Click here for video

…Lundquist believes someone may have released the fish into Buckeye Lake…

...He said it is somewhat common to hear about pacus living in Ohio waterways…more

Click here for info on ODNR’s work group progress on drafting regulations for dangerous wild animals kept as “pets”