Toxic algae bloom threatens Tunkwa Lake users
KAMLOOPS — A local woman says more needs to be done to alert the public of a deadly algae bloom on Tunkwa Lake after it nearly killed her family dog.
Anita Ashton and her family were camping at the lake over the Labour Day long weekend when their Australian Shepherd-Border Collie cross, Rufuss, fell ill.
“Within 15 minutes of getting up, he just collapsed. He was lifeless and had no muscle movement or anything,” said Ashton. “Then he started to foam at the mouth, and he actually had five seizures on the way to the vet’s.”
The veterinarian told Ashton Rufuss had ingested something toxic, and the family soon determined it was related to the lake water.