DOG walkers are being warned away from an Anglesey lake.

Bodrwnsiwn Vets, near Llangefni, has received two dogs for treatment which have been near or in the surrounding area of Llyn Maelog due to the presence of Blue-Green Algae.

The 'algae' is actually a group bacteria - called cyanobacteria - which can cause fatal liver failure for dogs and cannot be seen with the naked eye unless they clump together. When this happens, blue-green algae can look like green flakes, greenish bundles or brown dots in a pond.

In a statement on their Facebook, the practice said: "Blooms of blue-green algae can produce harmful toxins which stop a dog’s liver from functioning properly. However, not all types of blue-green algae are dangerous.

"Sadly, exposure to toxic blue-green algae is often fatal, and can also cause long term health problems in dogs that survive after drinking or swimming in algae-contaminated water.

"Dogs who have been swimming in water can get the algae caught in their fur, and can ingest it while cleaning themselves later on. Wash the coat as soon as possible if your dog has been in a lake with blue-green algae."

Dog owners are urged to contact their vet immediately if they have been in the area and their pet shows the following symptoms:

  • Vomiting/being sick
  • Diarrhoea
  • Seizures/fitting
  • Weakness/collapse/unconsciousness
  • Disorientation/confusion
  • Drooling
  • Breathing difficulti

The statement continues: "There is no antidote for the toxins produced by the bacteria, but if caught early enough, your vet will likely try to make your dog sick and attempt to flush the toxins from the body before they take hold.

"These symptoms are commonly seen with other illnesses too, which are often less serious, but you should always call your vet if you are worried your pet is sick.

"Keep your dog away from lakes and ponds that you know, or suspect may, contain blue-green algae.

"Dogs should not be allowed to swim or paddle in water that contains blue-green algae.

"Don’t let dogs drink from water that may have blue-green algae in. Because the wind often blows blooms of algae to the edges of ponds or lakes, higher concentrations of the toxin are more likely to be present in the parts of the water your dog may drink from.

"Blue-green algae can also cause sickness in humans, rashes, headache, fever and stomach pains are a few of the symptoms."