LINCOLN, Neb. – Early season bird hunters should take plenty of water into the field for themselves and their dogs and remember that toxic algae that can be fatal to dogs may be present in some lakes and ponds in or near the areas they hunt.

Nebraska’s 2005 dove hunting season opened September 1, and the early Canada goose and early teal seasons open September 10.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is conducting weekly and monthly sampling for toxins in water taken from a number of public recreational lakes across Nebraska, and the results are usually made public on Fridays. Additional lakes are added to the sampling schedule when necessary.

NDEQ issues a health alert when the level of the toxin Microcystin in a water sample exceeds 20 parts per billion. When the health alert is issued, full-body recreational activities such as swimming, wading and water skiing are discouraged, swimming beaches are closed, and visitors are encouraged to be especially careful to keep pets and small children out of the water. Fishing and boating are permitted.

Hunters should be aware that not all waters are tested for toxic algae. NDEQ officials test only a handful of lakes on areas used by upland bird and waterfowl hunters. Dog owners should take care to ensure they do not place their dogs in harms way when sending them to retrieve or allowing them to drink from a lake or pond.

NDEQ urges hunters to inspect the water before allowing pets to enter or drink from a lake or pond. Information posted on the NDEQ web site at www.deq.state.ne.us says:

“The toxic strains of blue-green algae usually have heavy surface growths of pea- green colored clumps, scum or streaks, with a disagreeable odor and taste. It can have a thickness similar to motor oil and often looks like thick paint in the water. Algae blooms usually accumulate near the shoreline where pets and toddlers have easy access and the water is shallow and more stagnant. It is important to keep a watchful eye on children and pets so that they do not enter the water. Aspects to watch out for include: -- Water that has a neon green, pea green, blue-green or reddish-brown color. -- Water that has a bad odor. -- Foam, scum or a thick paint-like appearance on the water surface. -- Green or blue-green streaks on the surface, or accumulations in bays and along shorelines.

Pets and farm animals have died from drinking water containing toxic blue-green algae or licking their wet hair/fur/paws after they have been in the water. Blue-green algae toxins have been known to persist in water for several weeks after the bloom has disappeared.”

If an animal shows symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or seizures after coming into contact with suspect water, contact your veterinarian immediately, or call the Nebraska Health and Human Services Department’s public health veterinarian at (402) 471-1374.

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