Blue Green Algae....

After lifting the warnings for the aforementioned lakes  (see previous posts) in Oregon, the State of Oregon DHS has issued two new warnings for water bodies in Douglass County.

The South Umpqua River near Myrtle Creek and Diamond Lake, located seven miles north of Crater Lake National Park on Highway 138 have both been shown to have high levels of blue-green algae.  One pet has died as a result of exposure to these toxins. 

This toxin can be very dangerous and these warnings should not be taken lightly!

For more information please follow these links to the DHS reports for The South Umpqua and Diamond Lake warnings and read through the previous posts for further information.

Stay tuned to our website, Facebook and Twitter for updates and changes!

Blue-Green Algae Warning on Two More Oregon Lakes

The State of Oregon Department of Human Services has issued an alert regarding toxic blue-green algae in two more Oregon lakes. The two bodies of water that are now contaminated in Oregon are:

Cullaby Lake in Clatsop County—Just off Hwy 101 between Astoria and Seaside

Fish Lake in Jackson County— In Southern Oregon 30 mi east of Medford

Warnings are still in effect for:

Cougar Reservoir, 52 miles east of Eugene on Hwy 126

Lost Creek Reservoir in Southern Oregon, east of Grants Pass

Exposure to toxins can produce symptoms of numbness, tingling and dizziness that can lead to difficulty breathing or heart problems and require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of skin irritation, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and fainting should also receive medical attention if they persist or worsen. Children and pets are particularly susceptible.

Dogs have become very sick and even died after swimming in and swallowing water affected by toxic algae. If you find thick, brightly colored foam or scum at a lake, pond or river, don't let your pet drink or swim in the water.

If your dog goes into the water:

· Don't let your pet lick its fur

· Wash your pet with clean water as soon as possible

· If your dog has symptoms such as drooling, weakness, vomiting, staggering and convulsions after being in bloom-affected water, call your veterinarian immediately.

· Serious sickness or death can occur within minutes or hours, depending on exposure.

Immediate action is critical if your pet is exposed.

Nestle Purina Dry Cat Food Recall in Oregon, Colorado and Idaho

Nestlé Purina Pet Care Company is recalling approximately 870 bags of dry cat food shipped to Colorado, Idaho and Oregon that may be contaminated with Salmonella.

These bags of dry cat food were distributed in error in February, 2011 to a small number of customers in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon, which may have further distributed the product to other Western states.  There have been no reports of illness.

The recall involves: 

-- Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food: 6.3 lb. bag; best by August 2012; production code 10331083 13; bag UPC code 17800 11320

-- Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food: 3.15 lb. bag; best by August 2012; production code 10381083 06; bag UPC code 50000 08450

-- Friskies Grilllers Blend Dry Cat Food: 16 lb. bag, best by August 2012; production code 10381083 06; bag UPC code 50000 57578

No other Purina cat or dog products are involved in the recall.

Consumers who have purchased any of these dry cat food products with these "best by" dates and production codes should discard them.

For further information or to obtain a product refund, call NPPC toll-free at 1-800-982-6559 weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, or visit www.purina.com.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.

Pets with Salmonella infections may exhibit decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets, can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact us.