Dogs love swimming, but a blue-green algae overgrowth can impact their health.
Carroll Gardens gets hot and sticky this time of year, leaving residents and their dogs searching for the nearest body of water to emerge themselves in! Swimming is a great way to help your furry best friend beat the heat, so it’s important to be aware of blue-green algae before your dog takes a dip!
The Vet Set wants all dogs to stay safe in the outdoors this summer, so it’s important to know if blue-algae has bloomed in your area and how to keep your dogs safe. Learn more in today’s post.
What is Blue-Green Algae?
You may be familiar with blue-green algae because of the many news stories that cycled last summer about dogs swimming in the bloom and ultimately passing away as a result of the blue-green algae ingestion, making it extremely harmful and oftentimes fatal to dogs.
Blue-green algae actually isn’t algae at all — it’s a type of bacteria known as cyanobacteria. This bacteria isn’t visible to the naked eye but appears as algae when it blooms and inundates non-flowing fresh bodies of water, and tends to thrive in hot temperatures with little to no seasonal rainfall.
Not only can blue-green algae be found in ponds and lakes, but it can also emerge in swimming pools and decorative ponds if they’re not well-maintained.
How do dogs get sick from blue-green algae?
Because dogs love water, playing in ponds and lakes is often how they ingest the bacteria bloom. Balls, frisbees, and other toys are thrown in the water and retrieved by dogs, and in the process, contract the bacteria through ingestion. Dogs can also get blue-green algae poisoning from licking their coat and paws after exposure.
Preventing Blue-Green Algae Poisoning
The best way to avoid and prevent your dog from getting blue-green algae poisoning include:
- Paying attention to the news for any local outbreaks.
- Keeping your dog leashed and away from water that looks dirty with a film or foam floating on top.
- Avoiding a fresh body of water that has a bad odor. Toxic algae is known to have an extremely foul smell that many animals are attracted to.
It’s vital to remember that even though the water may look clean and doesn’t have any film on the surface and doesn’t smell bad, doesn’t mean there’s not harmful cyanobacteria in the water — you just may not be able to see it.
What should happen if my dog is exposed to blue-green algae?
A good habit to get into is thoroughly rinsing your dog with clean, fresh water after they’ve been in a still body of water. If they begin to have signs or symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.
What are the signs and symptoms of cyanobacteria?
Symptoms can occur quickly, within 15 minutes of exposure, or can emerge several days after and they may include:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Breathing difficulties
- Weakness
- Confusion
Protect your dog from blue-green algae poisoning today by staying aware and diligent of the water they’re swimming in.
For more information on cyanobacteria or to connect with our Carroll Gardens’ vet, reach out to The Vet Set today!