Scientists Sample Beach for Clues in Dog Deaths

For Immediate Release:
Friday 7 August 2009

Scientists Sample Beachfront for Clues in Dog Deaths

Scientists from Nelson-based Cawthron Institute have spent the day scouring Narrow Neck Beach for clues in the deaths of two dogs on Auckland’s waterfront.

Cawthron, a world-renowned algae authority, has been working with local agencies testing samples from the area, and believes it is likely the deaths have been caused by a naturally occurring neurotoxin within the beach environment.

Scientist Dr Susie Wood says because there are many neurotoxins that can occur in marine and coastal environments, identifying the source is critical in defining the potential culprit, and this is best done in the environment where the problem is occurring.

Two Cawthron scientists today scanned the affected area, collecting various samples including shellfish (which tend to collect any existing toxins), and putting out ‘SPATT bags’ (which sit in the water accumulating toxins over time so if there are any in the water the bags will absorb them).

If there is anything there, Dr Wood says they would expect to find it pretty quickly, with the results of their site examination expected by mid-to-late next week.

“Our experience in the freshwater environment shows how important it is to begin researching early to determine exactly what is going on, as the problem generally does not go away, it just tends to get worse and worse.”

Cawthron has already confirmed dog deaths from anatoxin, a neurotoxin from ‘freshwater’ algae, with a record number of river system fatalities around the country last summer in Nelson, Takaka, Wellington and Canterbury in particular.

While there has never been a report of a dog dying from marine algae before, Dr Wood says evidence to date strongly suggests this is the most likely scenario with the freshwater cases displaying similar symptoms to the recent dog deaths “including frothing at the mouth and paralysis.”

She says, “dogs are particularly susceptible because, along with neurotoxins, algae emit an odour which, while putrid to humans, is particularly appealing to dogs, and given they like to eat rotten smelly things, they are most likely to ingest it, which we know is often fatal.”

Proving neurotoxin poisoning within the marine environment would be significant internationally, Dr Wood says until now only birds, sea lions and other marine animals have been known to be killed in this way.

“If algae is the culprit it is likely it has only now made its presence known, either as a new species arriving here, or some storm event or strong wave action has detached this particular strain from rocks washing it up onto the beach, where dogs are sniffing it out.”

While the algae is unlikely to be harmful to humans, unless eaten, Cawthron is supporting the district health board initiative to post warning signs to keep the public safe.

Cawthron is a world-wide authority on algae. It maintains a significant living collection of micro-algae, the only collection of its kind in New Zealand, which is highly ranked in the Asia-Pacific region. The collection includes several species unique to New Zealand.

Cawthron says there is nothing at this stage to link the dog deaths to the penguin, pilchard and dolphin fatalities.

Samples of toxic material are still required and material collected prior to consumption by a dog, but known to have caused a dog to become ill, would be very useful to our research. Samples can be sent to Susie Wood at Cawthron Institute in Nelson.

ENDS

© Scoop Media