Blue Green Algae Health Risks Dogs

Signs of blue green algae toxicity include.

Blue green algae health risks dogs.

Dog owners in the southeast are spreading the word about the dangers of contaminated water following the deaths of their beloved pets. Blooms of blue green algae can produce harmful toxins which stop a dog s liver from functioning properly. A 2013 study found 368 documented cases of dogs who died from toxic blue green algae between the 1920s and 2012 but the increasing incidence of the blue green algae in local ponds suggests greater vigilance is called for. For this reason if you suspect that your dog was exposed to blue green algae get to a veterinarian immediately.

Symptoms of blue green algae poisoning in dogs include. Dogs can develop poisoning when they drink from or even simply swim in contaminated water sources. Dogs and children are most likely to be affected because of their smaller body size and tendency to stay in the water for longer periods of time. If there s a silver lining in all this it s that blue green algae exposure is not common.

Sadly exposure to toxic blue green algae is often fatal and can also cause long term health problems in dogs that survive after drinking or swimming in algae contaminated water. It looks like dark green blue green black orange or brown scum foam or mats on the riverbed or floating on the water. Symptoms of blue green algae poisoning in dogs both toxins can cause symptoms in your dog and in as little as 30 to 60 minutes after your dog is exposed to the toxins. However not all types of blue green algae are dangerous.

Signs symptoms of blue green algae poisoning if your dog has been exposed to blue green algae symptoms will present anywhere from 15 minutes after exposure to several days later. If blue green algae is ingested it can cause severe neurologic or liver damage. At least eight dogs have died after swimming in ponds. Cyanobacteria can be present in any fresh water body.

The prognosis of blue green algae poisoning unfortunately with blue green algae the prognosis is very poor and some dogs actually pass away before being able to get to a veterinarian.