A DOG died in under 45 minutes after coming into contact with the lethal blue-green algae in the UK's first confirmed case.

Jan Egginton, from Worcestershire, lost her beloved two-year-old Flat Coated Retriever, Cove, at the side of Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor while on holiday.

They were walking alongside the reservoir while on a training holiday with six other dogs and their owners when Cove stopped near some dead fish near the side of the lake.

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Evesham Journal: Clove as a puppy. Clove as a puppy. (Image: SWNS)

Jan said: “Cove was unforgettable. He was so much more than just a dog.

“My husband first realised all was not well when Cove started staggering as he walked back from the lake, and by the time I’d caught up with them, he was already paralysed.

"The frightening aspect to me is that something so dangerous, not even in the water, can kill your dog in 45 minutes.

"We are so careful with our dogs, we think about them in everything we do; we know all of the poisonous foods and plants and are very aware of blue-green algae, but one lick of the fish was enough.

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Evesham Journal: POSE: Clove's family want to raise awareness. POSE: Clove's family want to raise awareness. (Image: SWNS)

“If Cove’s story can make others more aware of the dangers not just in, but also around the water and saves lives as a result, then the pain of sharing his story will be worthwhile.”

Blue-green algae, otherwise known as cyanobacteria, is a substance that can be found in water sources such as streams, lakes, rivers, estuaries and the sea, particularly in mid-late summer and after heatwaves.

Analysis led by Dr Andrew Turner from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) confirmed that Cove was exposed to anatoxins found in blue-green algae blooms.

This is the first time in the UK that such an incident has been scientifically confirmed.

There are different types of toxins at work, so symptoms vary, but they can include dribbling, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhoea, convulsions, problems breathing and organ failure.

How to spot blue-green algae:

Water that appears a different colour, often resembling pea soup, although it can even be red, brown or black

The water may smell musty, earthy or grassy, and you may sometimes see foam along the shoreline.

If you think your dog has been poisoned by blue-green algae, take your dog to the vet urgently, and if possible, call ahead to the vet to let them know – cyanobacteria poisoning requires rapid treatment.