Latest news with #BritishVeterinaryAssociation
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Urgent warning to Scots dog owners over toxic substance on walking routes
Anyone with concerns should seek emergency veterinary treatment PET FEARS Urgent warning to Scots dog owners over toxic substance on walking routes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PET owners have been warned to protect their dogs from coming into contact with toxic algae which could kill them. Experts from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) say there have been reports of blue-green algae growth affecting lakes, ponds of rivers across Scotland and the rest of the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Blue-green algae bloom can be fatal for pets 3 It flourishes during hot weather 3 The algae is a particular danger to dogs who love to take a dip The algae, known as cyanobacteria, can contain dangerous toxins which can be harmful and potentially fatal to pets, livestock and birds if ingested. It may appear as green or greenish-brown scum on the surface of water like lakes and ponds. Dogs can swallow it by drinking water from an affected lake, river or pond or while licking their fur after going for a swim. It's also possible for them to come into contact with it even if they don't go for a paddle, as toxic blooms may be blown to the edges of water bodies. Dr Rob Williams, of the BVA, said: 'Lots of dogs love water and won't hesitate to dive straight in when they see a lake or go for a paddle in a pond. "But toxic blue-green algae is very difficult to identify and, if ingested, can make dogs seriously ill and can even be fatal. 'We're urging pet owners to keep their dogs on leads near water bodies where blue-green algae has been confirmed or, if unsure if a water body is safe, to keep them away from it completely as it is not worth the risk. 'With no known antidote for the toxins, prompt treatment is critical to help give affected pets a chance of recovery. "Symptoms can appear within a few minutes or hours of exposure, and commonly include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, disorientation, trouble breathing, seizures, and blood in faeces. "If you have any concerns or are worried your pet may have had contact with blue-green algae, speak to your vet as soon as you can.' Pet owners should keep a look out for any warning signs near water bodies. It is also recommended that pets are kept on a lead around water bodies known or suspected to have a blue-green algal bloom. Owners should also wash their coat with clean water if the animals have been swimming outside. If there are concerns that dog may have ingested toxic algae, owners should seek emergency veterinary treatment. We previously told how one distraught dog owner claimed her pet died after eating a 'toxic' substance at a popular walking spot. The woman believes her canine guzzled something poisonous while out and about in Aberdeen.
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Vet warns pet owners of dangers of toxic blue-green algae on Scotland's waterways
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has urged dog owners to be careful near bodies of fresh water this summer due to the dangers of toxic blue green algae. Pet owners are being urged to be wary of toxic blue-green algae as the hot summer weather sees it bloom on freshwater bodies. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is urging pet owners to take precautions when walking dogs near freshwater bodies. The warning comes after several recent reports of algal bloom sightings in lakes, ponds and rivers in Scotland and the rest of the UK. Confirmed sightings are identified by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's (UKCEH) Bloomin' Algae app, which encourages people to submit details and photos if they suspect they have spotted it. Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is a group of bacteria that can contain dangerous toxins which can be harmful and potentially fatal to pets, livestock and birds if ingested even in small quantities. The algae may appear as green or greenish-brown scum on the surface of water like lakes and ponds. Dogs can swallow it by drinking water from an affected lake, river or pond or while licking their fur after going for a swim. It's also possible for dogs to come into contact with it even if they don't go for a paddle, as toxic blooms may be blown to the edges of water bodies. British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Dr Rob Williams said: 'Lots of dogs love water and won't hesitate to dive straight in when they see a lake or go for a paddle in a pond. But toxic blue-green algae is very difficult to identify and, if ingested, can make dogs seriously ill and can even be fatal. 'We're urging pet owners to keep their dogs on leads near water bodies where blue-green algae has been confirmed or, if unsure if a water body is safe, to keep them away from it completely as it is not worth the risk. 'With no known antidote for the toxins, prompt treatment is critical to help give affected pets a chance of recovery. "Symptoms can appear within a few minutes or hours of exposure, and commonly include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, disorientation, trouble breathing, seizures, and blood in faeces. If you have any concerns or are worried your pet may have had contact with blue-green algae, speak to your vet as soon as you can.' Top tips for pet owners Look out for any warning signs near water bodies. Keep pets on a lead and by your side around water bodies known or suspected to have a blue-green algal bloom – don't let pets swim in it or drink from it. If your dog has been swimming outside, wash its coat thoroughly with clean water afterwards. Seek emergency veterinary treatment if you're concerned your pet may have ingested toxic algae. Report sightings of suspected blue-green algae with a photograph via the Bloomin' Algae app. You can also set up notifications for confirmed sightings in your area. There are other ways to help your dog keep cool in the warmer weather: paddling pools can give them somewhere to cool off and you should always make sure they have access to clean water and shade if outdoors. The most common symptoms in dogs Vomiting Loss of appetite Diarrhoea Seizures or fitting Weakness, collapse, or unconsciousness Disorientation or confusion Excessive drooling Difficulty breathing
STV News
17-07-2025
- Health
- STV News
Scots dog owners warned over 'toxic' algae amid hot weather
Scottish dog owners have been warned over 'toxic' algae as hot weather continues across the country. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) urged pet owners to take precautions when walking dogs near freshwater bodies due to the warm weather bringing an increased risk of toxic blue-green algae growth. The warning comes after multiple reports of algal bloom sightings in lakes, ponds of rivers in Scotland and the rest of the UK. Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is a group of bacteria that can contain dangerous toxins which can be harmful and potentially fatal to pets, livestock and birds if ingested even in small quantities. The BVA said the algae may appear as green or greenish-brown scum on the surface of water like lakes and ponds. Dogs can swallow the toxic bacteria by drinking water from an affected lake, river, or pond or licking their fur after swimming. It's also possible for dogs to come into contact with it even if they don't go for a paddle, as toxic blooms may be blown to the edges of water bodies. British Veterinary Association junior vice president Dr Rob Williams said that if ingested, toxic blue-green algae can make dogs 'seriously ill and can even be fatal'. 'We're urging pet owners to keep their dogs on leads near water bodies where blue-green algae has been confirmed or, if unsure if a water body is safe, to keep them away from it completely as it is not worth the risk,' he said. Dr Williams warned that there is no known antidote for the toxins, adding that prompt treatment is critical to help give affected pets a chance of recovery. 'Symptoms can appear within a few minutes or hours of exposure, and commonly include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, disorientation, trouble breathing, seizures, and blood in faeces.' If owners think their pet has been exposed to the algae, they are urged to contact their vet as soon as possible. Confirmed sightings are identified by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's (UKCEH) Bloomin' Algae app, which encourages people to submit details and photos if they suspect they have spotted it. Look out for any warning signs near water bodies. Keep pets on a lead and by your side around water bodies known or suspected to have a blue-green algal bloom – don't let pets swim in it or drink from it. If your dog has been swimming outside, wash its coat thoroughly with clean water afterwards. Seek emergency veterinary treatment if you're concerned your pet may have ingested toxic algae. Report sightings of suspected blue-green algae with a photograph via the Bloomin' Algae app. You can also set up notifications for confirmed sightings in your area. There are other ways to help your dog keep cool in the warmer weather: paddling pools can give them somewhere to cool off and you should always make sure they have access to clean water and shade if outdoors. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
06-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Scottish couple's 'horrific' experience losing two dogs to 'under the radar' tick disease
Researchers have warned the disease can spread to other animals, including humans. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A woman has spoken of the devastating experience she went through losing two dogs to a tick-borne disease two years apart. Molly Robertson, a veterinary nurse living in Angus, said she did everything by the book when it came to tick treatment for her dogs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It meant when her 18-month-old Labrador, Clover, became unwell, she and her husband, Calum, didn't know what the problem was. Clover in the Glasgow University hospital | Molly Robertson Clover became almost completely paralysed and had to be assisted using a sling for basic needs like peeing and eating. Mrs Robertson said she and her colleagues carried out endless physio with Clover to try and encourage some movement back, but to no avail. After spending about two weeks in an animal hospital in Glasgow going through various checks, results from the tick-borne diseases blood test confirmed she had louping ill (LIV). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Clover was 18 months old when she contracted Louping Ill from a tick | Molly Robertson LIV is viral disease that primarily affects sheep and red grouse, but it can also infect other animals like cattle, horses and dogs. The disease affects the nervous system and includes neurological symptoms such as ataxia, muscle tremors, and paralysis, In very rare cases, researchers said it can affect humans. The disease is transmitted by sheep tick, according to the British Veterinary Association, which said in its fortnightly magazine, Vet Record, that more dogs are being exposed to LIV since the first fatal canine case was detected about 50 years ago. 'We had seen cases of it in sheep and that it's becoming more and more common,' Mrs Robertson said. 'But we just never expected any of the dogs to be affected by it. It was horrific to lose a dog so young. It was such a shock.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Molly, a veterinary nurse with Calum, a gamekeeper, and their dogs | Molly Robertson The couple said they made the tough decision to put Clover to sleep because she had no quality of life. 'She couldn't walk,' Mrs Robertson said. 'We had to take her out to the toilet in a sling and we were having to be full-time carers for her. 'We did as much as we could treatment-wise, but it was recommended to us given she wasn't showing any signs of improvement, just deterioration, that the kindest thing was to let her go. And so we did.' After upping the tick treatment on their dogs to prevent another tragedy, the Robertsons were shocked to find out another one of their Labradors, eight-year-old Clyde, Clover's father, became ill two years later. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Having seen the signs before, Mrs Robertson said she knew it was LIV. 'He's normally a very happy, bouncy Labrador and he was just being very quiet,' she said. 'We had picked a tick off him and he did have a high temperature.' She said the vet thought it could be Lyme disease, another tick-borne disease that can also affect humans, but Clyde's condition continued to deteriorate. The Robertsons had to make the tough decision again to put another one of their dogs to sleep. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We didn't want him to suffer,' she said. 'I just knew what it was in my heart. Then the results came back and it was positive for louping ill.' Clyde, Clover's dad, was eight when he died after contracting Louping Ill | Molly Robertson An edition of Vet Record in 2024 said there had been multiple dog cases in Devon and Yorkshire while also mentioning Clover's case after she caught the disease in Deeside, Aberdeenshire, in 2021 and Clyde, who caught LIV in the hills in Angus in 2023. The same day Clyde was put down, Mrs Robertson said she picked a tick off her husband, who works as a gamekeeper. 'It sent me into a bit of a spiral because I thought 'is he going to get Louping Ill next?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Sheep are dying, grouse are dying now dogs are dying. If nothing is done, cases are going to grow and grow and what happens when we lose a human to it? 'It's something that's gone under the radar, but it's good to see it's coming to light a bit more.' There is no licensed vaccine against LIV in the UK. The Moredun Research Institute (Moredun), researching the disease, has developed a new generation vaccine against the disease in sheep. However, campaigners pushing for a rollout said the usual route to market through pharmaceutical companies was not possible due to the treatment's niche UK market. It means commercialisation is going to require industry funding. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last month, the Scottish Government said it would provide match-funding of up to £100,000 to support the development of a new vaccine against the disease. The offer is available until the end of December this year. At the time of the announcement, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'Continued investment in veterinary vaccine research is crucial for sustainable livestock farming, reducing antibiotic use, and supporting rural economies. Prof Tom McNeilly, Mairi Gougeon, Jim Fairlie and Dr Beth Wells of Moredun, who is part of the LIV vaccine campaign | Moredun Research Institute 'This investment offer of up to £100,000 in match funding will help Moredun develop a new vaccine against Louping ill, a disease that those working in the agriculture sector will know can devastate flocks.' Moredun is crowdfunding to further develop its vaccine, with the first phase requiring £720,000. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Commenting on the government funding, professor Tom McNeilly, scientific director and chief executive of Moredun, said: 'This pledge takes us a significant step closer to making a new louping ill vaccine widely available to farmers. 'But to unlock that funding and deliver this product, we need the support of the wider livestock industry. With continued support from the wider industry and farming community, we're confident we can reach our goal and bring this vital product to market.' In the meantime, the Robertsons said they continue to use what preventative treatment they can to avoid further cases in their dogs. 'It's important to get a prescribed tick preventative treatment,' Mrs Robertson said. 'There are many you can pick up in the shop, but it might not be the right strength of drug to stop the tick attaching. All it takes is one bite. I would recommend if people are concerned to talk to their local vet or get in touch.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mrs Robertson urged dog owners to be vigilant when back from a walk with their dog and to have a tick remover on them.
Scotsman
06-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Scottish couple's 'horrific' experience losing two dogs to 'under the radar' tick disease
Researchers have warned the disease can spread to other animals, including humans. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A woman has spoken of the devastating experience she went through losing two dogs to a tick-borne disease two years apart. Molly Robertson, a veterinary nurse living in Angus, said she did everything by the book when it came to tick treatment for her dogs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It meant when her 18-month-old Labrador, Clover, became unwell, she and her husband, Calum, didn't know what the problem was. Clover in the Glasgow University hospital | Molly Robertson Clover became almost completely paralysed and had to be assisted using a sling for basic needs like peeing and eating. Mrs Robertson said she and her colleagues carried out endless physio with Clover to try and encourage some movement back, but to no avail. After spending about two weeks in an animal hospital in Glasgow going through various checks, results from the tick-borne diseases blood test confirmed she had louping ill (LIV). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Clover was 18 months old when she contracted Louping Ill from a tick | Molly Robertson LIV is viral disease that primarily affects sheep and red grouse, but it can also infect other animals like cattle, horses and dogs. The disease affects the nervous system and includes neurological symptoms such as ataxia, muscle tremors, and paralysis, In very rare cases, researchers said it can affect humans. The disease is transmitted by sheep tick, according to the British Veterinary Association, which said in its fortnightly magazine, Vet Record, that more dogs are being exposed to LIV since the first fatal canine case was detected about 50 years ago. 'We had seen cases of it in sheep and that it's becoming more and more common,' Mrs Robertson said. 'But we just never expected any of the dogs to be affected by it. It was horrific to lose a dog so young. It was such a shock.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Molly, a veterinary nurse with Calum, a gamekeeper, and their dogs | Molly Robertson The couple said they made the tough decision to put Clover to sleep because she had no quality of life. 'She couldn't walk,' Mrs Robertson said. 'We had to take her out to the toilet in a sling and we were having to be full-time carers for her. 'We did as much as we could treatment-wise, but it was recommended to us given she wasn't showing any signs of improvement, just deterioration, that the kindest thing was to let her go. And so we did.' After upping the tick treatment on their dogs to prevent another tragedy, the Robertsons were shocked to find out another one of their Labradors, eight-year-old Clyde, Clover's father, became ill two years later. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Having seen the signs before, Mrs Robertson said she knew it was LIV. 'He's normally a very happy, bouncy Labrador and he was just being very quiet,' she said. 'We had picked a tick off him and he did have a high temperature.' She said the vet thought it could be Lyme disease, another tick-borne disease that can also affect humans, but Clyde's condition continued to deteriorate. The Robertsons had to make the tough decision again to put another one of their dogs to sleep. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We didn't want him to suffer,' she said. 'I just knew what it was in my heart. Then the results came back and it was positive for louping ill.' Clyde, Clover's dad, was eight when he died after contracting Louping Ill | Molly Robertson An edition of Vet Record in 2024 said there had been multiple dog cases in Devon and Yorkshire while also mentioning Clover's case after she caught the disease in Deeside, Aberdeenshire, in 2021 and Clyde, who caught LIV in the hills in Angus in 2023. The same day Clyde was put down, Mrs Robertson said she picked a tick off her husband, who works as a gamekeeper. 'It sent me into a bit of a spiral because I thought 'is he going to get Louping Ill next?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Sheep are dying, grouse are dying now dogs are dying. If nothing is done, cases are going to grow and grow and what happens when we lose a human to it? 'It's something that's gone under the radar, but it's good to see it's coming to light a bit more.' There is no licensed vaccine against LIV in the UK. The Moredun Research Institute (Moredun), researching the disease, has developed a new generation vaccine against the disease in sheep. However, campaigners pushing for a rollout said the usual route to market through pharmaceutical companies was not possible due to the treatment's niche UK market. It means commercialisation is going to require industry funding. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last month, the Scottish Government said it would provide match-funding of up to £100,000 to support the development of a new vaccine against the disease. The offer is available until the end of December this year. At the time of the announcement, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'Continued investment in veterinary vaccine research is crucial for sustainable livestock farming, reducing antibiotic use, and supporting rural economies. Prof Tom McNeilly, Mairi Gougeon, Jim Fairlie and Dr Beth Wells of Moredun, who is part of the LIV vaccine campaign | Moredun Research Institute 'This investment offer of up to £100,000 in match funding will help Moredun develop a new vaccine against Louping ill, a disease that those working in the agriculture sector will know can devastate flocks.' Moredun is crowdfunding to further develop its vaccine, with the first phase requiring £720,000. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Commenting on the government funding, professor Tom McNeilly, scientific director and chief executive of Moredun, said: 'This pledge takes us a significant step closer to making a new louping ill vaccine widely available to farmers. 'But to unlock that funding and deliver this product, we need the support of the wider livestock industry. With continued support from the wider industry and farming community, we're confident we can reach our goal and bring this vital product to market.' In the meantime, the Robertsons said they continue to use what preventative treatment they can to avoid further cases in their dogs. 'It's important to get a prescribed tick preventative treatment,' Mrs Robertson said. 'There are many you can pick up in the shop, but it might not be the right strength of drug to stop the tick attaching. All it takes is one bite. I would recommend if people are concerned to talk to their local vet or get in touch.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mrs Robertson urged dog owners to be vigilant when back from a walk with their dog and to have a tick remover on them.
