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Is your dog a water lover? Look twice before letting them take a dip. Watch for unusual colors in the water like green, blue-green, or red. These could be signs of a harmful blue-green algae bloom. Though the name implies otherwise, blue-green algae isn’t algae at all. Instead, it’s a type of bacteria known as cyanobacteria that looks and behaves like algae. Though algae and bacteria are often part of a normal water system, some blooms can be dangerous, even toxic. So, it’s important to recognize cyanobacteria bloom and keep your dogs (and you) away from it. Drinking or swimming in a blue-green algae bloom can make your dog extremely sick or even cause death.
How to Identify Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae can be found in still water bodies, including lakes, ponds, and even puddles. When in small numbers, they’re not much of a problem, but when the water is warm, nutrient rich, and the sun is streaming down, it causes these bacteria to reproduce—fast. This creates a scum-like appearance on the water, often described as paint floating on the surface. The scum can create a mat that’s several inches thick and may smell like dead vegetation. It’s often greenish in color but can also be brown, reddish, or blue. Since this bloom is made up of bacteria, they typically don’t create something you can pick up, instead the contaminated water will just run through your fingers.
What are the Dangers of Blue-Green Algae to Dogs
As if your dog swimming in pond scum isn’t bad enough, some blue-green algae blooms can be more than just disgusting. These cyanobacteria can produce toxins that can affect the liver and nervous system of not only dogs but humans, birds, and fish as well. Swimming in water or drinking water with cyanobacteria can cause a dog to get sick or even die.
Not all blue-green algae is dangerous, just the blooms that produce toxins. However, there’s no real way to tell if a bloom is toxic or not unless you or your dog gets sick, so it’s best to avoid letting your dog drink or swim in water with any algae growth.
Signs of Blue-Green Algae Poisoning in Dogs
There are many potential toxins that cyanobacteria can produce that are dangerous to dogs, so the signs that they produce may depend on the type. However, the most common signs include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Drooling
Weakness/collapse
Difficulty breathing
Pale gums
Muscle tremors
Paralysis
Seizures
Death
As you can imagine, these signs can look like a number of different illnesses, including chocolate toxicosis. Since chocolate is toxic for a dog and also affects the liver, this should come as no surprise.
The symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning in dogs can range from mild to severe and can worsen rapidly. Don't delay: If your dog shows any of these signs after swimming or drinking from a body of water, contact your vet immediately, even if you're unsure if blue-green algae was involved.
Prevention and Treatment of Blue-Green Algae in Dogs
As if toxic algae weren’t bad enough, there’s really no specific cure for algae poisoning in dogs. Treatment focuses on supportive care to manage symptoms. This may include inducing vomiting or giving activated charcoal to help get rid of and absorb as much of the toxins as possible if caught within a few hours of consumption. From there your vet may give IV fluids, oxygen therapy if your dog is having trouble breathing, medication to help with vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or muscle tremors, and blood transfusions if needed. Dogs will often need to stay in the hospital.
The financial burden of treating blue-green algae poisoning in dogs is substantial and can rapidly escalate. Critical care, including emergency interventions, hospitalization, and ongoing medication, often accumulates to exorbitant costs. These expenses can skyrocket, especially if your dog requires extended treatment or intensive care. Having pet insurance prior to an incident can help cover some of these emergency costs so that you can focus on getting your dog better, rather than finances. By paying a monthly premium, you can protect yourself from high vet bills in case of illness or injury and get your pup the best care available.
Even with treatment, the prognosis for algae poisoning in dogs can be grim. Some dogs won’t even survive the trip to the veterinary hospital.
Prevention is crucial to protect your dog from the dangers of blue-green algae. Early detection and avoidance of contaminated water bodies are essential.
To protect your dog:
Avoid letting your dog swim or drink from stagnant water, especially during warm weather.
Carry fresh water for your dog when outdoors.
Be cautious of water bodies with unusual colors, odors, or surface scum.
Drain any stagnant water that you may have in your yard or garden and stay on top of local cyanobacteria advisories.
Blue-Green Algae’s Impact on Humans and Other Animals
Dogs aren’t the only critters that can have issues with blue-green algae. Unfortunately, humans, cats, livestock, birds, and fish can become sick if they drink or swim in contaminated water. Again, avoidance is key, so steer yourself and other animals clear of water that looks off colored, has a floating film, or smells bad. Carry your own water when outside and make sure all livestock and other animals have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Reporting and Awareness for Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae isn’t always an issue as it takes specific circumstances for the bacteria to create a bloom. Being aware of cyanobacteria blooms in your area is very important if you like to enjoy the outdoors with your dog. A great place to check for cyanobacteria advisories is your local or state health department.
As part of that, you’ll also want to report suspicious or known blue-green algae blooms so that other people can be aware. Your veterinarian can help you report these, or again, report to your state or local health department.
Another great resource is the supervisory department in charge of the area you want to camp, hike or visit. Most of the time they will be aware of any blue-green algae blooms that may be a problem.
With a little knowledge and precaution, you can continue to enjoy outdoor adventures with your furry best friend. By being aware of the dangers of blue-green algae and taking steps to protect your dog, you can ensure that your time together is filled with fun and happy memories.