A dog owner warns that her dog had a near-death incident after visiting a popular Eryri lake. Zoe Trommelen noticed that Raven, an English Springer Spaniel, was acting “weird” and dropping in and of out consciousness on the drive home from Llyn Tegid, in Bala.
The 50-year-old made a roadside intervention that might just have saved Raven's life as she dashed across three counties to find help at a vet's. Zoe put her fingers down the four-year-old dog's throat to force her to throw up an “earthy smelling” goo of green and white.
North Wales Live reports that after Zoe managed to get Raven to the vet, she was told that her symptoms were similar to those of blue-green algae poisoning. Zoe shared the incident on social media which sparked concerns over the quality of water at Llyn Tegid, Bala, where blue-green algae can appear there after a spell of warm weather.
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Eryri National Park Authority (NPA), whose wardens manage the lake, said no blue-green algae has been detected in the lake so far this summer. It claims that it may have been a “possible isolated incident.” However, extra signs will be erected and an “action plan” put into motion.
Zoe said that on Saturday evening she had taken Raven for a walk with her daughter Taya, 15, and some friends. Raven jumped into the water, which Zoe said is "her thing - she just loves water." Raven played and swam in the lake for around an hour. But things took a turn for the worse on the way home. Zoe said: “Raven was wobbly and all over the place.
“She had white gums and couldn’t keep her head up. It was obvious that something was terribly wrong and that she needed urgent veterinary treatment.” However, there was no mobile reception in the area. Zoe drove to Llangynog, but there was not any signal so she drove a few miles to Pen-y-Bont-Fawr, Powys. From there, she made her way to her vet practice in Llangollen, Denbighshire.
During the drive, Raven's condition deteriorated and she lost consciousness. “I was shouting at her to wake up,” said Zoe. “I began pumping her stomach and then tickled her throat.
“The first time, I got some water out of her, the second time she threw up what looked like algae. It smelled weird, a kind of earthy smell. It was dirty and horrible, a white and green colour. It wasn’t nice at all.” Upon arriving at the vets, Raven was given activated charcoal to absorb any toxins.
She praised Dee Valley Vets quick actions that Saturday night, adding: “They mentioned blue-green algae as her symptoms were very similar and Llyn Tegid is known to have it most years. They told me that if I hadn’t got the toxin out, she would definitely have died.” Zoe is just relieved that Raven is back home and on the road to recovery.
NWL reports that looms of blue-green algae have occurred in Llyn Tegid for many years. Blue-green algae is a microscopic bacteria found in freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, and brackish water ecosystems. Blooms in the algae can produce several toxins which can be dangerous to humans, as well as being potentially fatal to animals like cattle, horses and dogs.
An Eryri NPA spokesperson said: “Our lake wardens monitor Llyn Tegid closely for signs of blue-green algal bloom during the summer months when it is more likely to occur. The algal bloom manifests itself as a bright blue-green coloured scum that accumulates on the margins of the lake. Despite this possible isolated incident, there have been no sightings at Llyn Tegid so far this year.
“There are however permanent public notice signs to inform lake users about the hazards of blue-green algal bloom at various locations around the lake. Furthermore, upon the detection of the potential presence of blue-green algal bloom, wardens install additional temporary signage around the lake.
“If a blue-green algal bloom is suspected, the park authority triggers an action plan that has been compiled in collaboration with relevant partners, including Natural Resources Wales. As well as informing lake users and landowners, wardens also stay in regular contact with the park authority’s communications team to ensure appropriate messages are conveyed on ours website and various social media channels.”
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