This month’s pet of the month goes to Sika, a young German Shepherd, who survived an unexpected form of poisoning.

She started to get symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea which didn’t get any better after a course of antibiotics. Interestingly, Sika had had very similar but milder symptoms in exactly the same month of last year.

Blood samples taken this year failed to reveal any internal cause. Suspicions were raised though, after she passed a purple-coloured stool. Thanks to the diligence of her owners, it was narrowed down to contaminated water Sika had been drinking from the bird bath.

The water was a reddish-brown colour and it was a science teacher at the school Sika’s owner Christine works at, who identified it as cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae.

This is better known for contaminating public ponds and lakes, but can affect any body of water or even dry land, including bird baths in our own gardens. The typical situation in which a cyanobacterial bloom usually occurs is with slow moving warm water, often in late summer or early autumn, especially if that water has a high level of nutrients such as fertiliser run-off or septic tank overflows.

Despite the naming, only about half of these organisms are actually blue-green in colour. Other colours include red, brown, purple and black. They can look like foam, scum, mats or even paint on the surface of the water. Cyanobacteria are one of the largest and most ancient groups of bacterial species on Earth. They are widespread across the planet and are an essential part of Earth’s ecosystem.

Some cyanobacteria species produce types of toxins which are among the most powerful natural poisons known. Some affect the nervous system, some cause liver disease whilst others can damage the digestive system, just as in Sika’s case. In the most severe cases the intoxication can be fatal.



Sika’s case has helped raise my awareness, and I hope can now make you more aware as well. Don’t let your dog swim in or drink from scummy or discoloured water. If you realise too late, then rinse the dog off thoroughly with fresh water and seek veterinary attention. If the council closes a lake, respect that closure. Don’t water your lawn with scummy or smelly pond water.

Thank you, Sika!