Replies

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/algal.htm

"Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) can be found in terrestrial, fresh, brackish, or marine water environments. These organisms produce toxins that may cause acute or chronic illnesses (including neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and skin irritation) in humans and animals (including other mammals, fish, and birds). A number of human health effects, including gastroenteritis, respiratory effects, skin irritations, allergic responses, and liver damage, are associated with the ingestion of or contact with water containing cyanobacterial blooms."

I know about Red Tide which we have to watch out for in the Phlippines on and off. And Ciguatera fish poisoning is not unknown (remember the fish in the movie AIRPLANE!? That was this poison).

Didn't know about this one however. Another cause might be someone dumped a chemical into the lake. Sounds like a neurotoxin, like insecticide.

And some toads are poisonous to dogs:

http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2001news/toads.htm

http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0175.htm

"Bufo sp. Toads—Some 16 species of bufo toads are found around the world. Bufo alvarius (Colorado River toad) is found in the Southwest, and Bufo marinus is found in Florida and Hawaii. Bufo's are attracted to dogs' watering dishes, and may sit in the rim long enough to leave enough toxin to make a dog ill. Untreated death rate, especially for Bufo marinus may approach 100%. Dogs may mouth bufo toads, thus getting a large dose of the bufo's toxins, secreted from the skin and paratid glands. Symptoms generally include profuse foamy salivation that looks like shaving cream, difficulty breathing, convulsions, paralysis, ventricular fibrillation, vomiting, cyanosis, and hallucination. "