SOMETIMES, veterinary practice can involve a lot of routine cases, where appointments are booked in an orderly way for vaccinations, post-operation checks or anti-parasitic advice.

These cases bring us lots of lovely pets and owners, to chat to and take time to fuss over.

We do, however, see many emergency cases where owners telephone the surgery requiring urgent attention for their much-loved pet. This may involve injuries, poisonings or severe medical conditions.

Recently, Katrina, one of our Dunedin Vets Tranent receptionists, received a very distressed call from Mrs Cockburn. She had been enjoying a lovely walk in the woods with her pet Labrador Brodie.

Mrs Cockburn came around a corner to find her beloved pet happily swimming about in a pond of stagnant water, which was shimmering a fluorescent green colour.

Now Mrs Cockburn was aware of blue-green algae and its toxic effects to dogs. She called him out and hurried him to some fresh water where she washed him as best she could and towel-dried him before calling the surgery. Rightly so, our receptionist asked her to bring Brodie straight to the surgery.

Blue-green algae is a colloquial name for a type of bacteria, actually called cyanobacteria, which look like algae floating on water when they are present in sufficient quantities. These bacteria tend to be most prevalent in stagnant fresh-water ponds and slow-moving river inlets. Hot weather can cause them to multiply rapidly, resulting in the algal bloom we can see on the water.

They can be present all through the year but are more prevalent during or after warm spells. We cannot see the bacteria unless they are present in large quantities. The appearance can vary from a blue-green scum like pea soup or iridescent paint, to clumps of flakes of greenish brown material on the water, or even just foam around the edge of a pond.

Animals, especially dogs, are at risk from these bacteria. Dogs may swim in a pond or lap water from it.

Cats are obviously less likely to be affected as they generally will avoid ponds, although strange accidents do happen. If your cat has contact with blue-green algae, contact your vet immediately.

The bacteria can also cause mild to serious problems to humans. These include vomiting and stomach cramps, headaches and fever or skin rashes.

Dogs can ingest the algae from grooming their coats after swimming as well. The cyanobacteria produce toxins which are harmful to the liver. This can occur within 15 minutes to an hour, so you must act quickly if your dog has had contact with blue-green algae. The sooner you can remove your pet from the source and seek veterinary attention, the better.

Mrs Cockburn was correct in calling Brodie out of the stagnant pond, thoroughly washing him in fresh water and drying him well before promptly bringing him to the surgery.

Adverse signs can begin rapidly. There may be vomiting, diarrhoea or severe drooling. The dog may appear dazed and confused, or may even take a seizure or lapse into unconsciousness. There may be respiratory problems or, unfortunately, sudden death.

When Mrs Cockburn arrived at the surgery, she was obviously very concerned about Brodie. She was reassured that the blue-green algae that he had been exposed to was unlikely to be fatal, as he was not showing any of the critical signs which normally occur within a short period of time from exposure. Her quick reactions had certainly reduced the risk to Brodie.

On admission to the surgery, Brodie was given a thorough check-over by the vet. He had a blood sample taken to look for any internal organ damage. The blue-green algae can cause fatal liver damage.

He was given intravenous fluids to help flush any toxin from his body and medication to induce vomiting, and once he had stopped vomiting, he was given activated charcoal to help absorb toxins. There is no antidote to the algal toxin, supportive treatment is required to assist recovery.

Fortunately, Brodie made a full recovery and was soon his normal, happy self again. Mrs Cockburn was very relieved but her prompt actions had undoubtedly helped the outcome.

Please take care and be vigilant when out enjoying a walk in the countryside with your dog. Keep them away from ponds where you suspect there may be blue-green algae. Do not let them swim or drink from affected water.

Remember the bacteria are more likely to accumulate at the edges of ponds, just where your dog may go for a lap of water after enjoying a good run-around. Look out for any notices warning of blue-green algae in the area and, if you suspect or see any, it is wise to make the landowner or council aware of the problem.