The Dangers of Blue-Green Algae and Your Dog
As the warm weather moves in, many of us are making summer vacation plans. Whether you plan on sticking around home, visiting local beaches and hiking trails, or travelling further away to enjoy the great outdoors, there is one risk that you need to be aware of. Today we’re going to discuss the dangers of blue-green algae.
Last year, a North Carolina family made news for a very tragic reason. They had no idea that their lives would change after visiting a nearby pond for some playtime with their dogs.
In just over 24 hours all 3 dogs passed away.
The reason? During their time at the pond, they were exposed to blue-green algae, a toxic bacterium that is usually fatal to dogs.
Their owner, Melissa Martin, shared her tragic story on Facebook in the hope of preventing another family from experiencing the same pain.
Despite the fact that this risk is so often fatal, many dog owners are unaware of the dangers or what to look for.
Before you pull out your kayak or head out for some puppy playtime in the water this summer, let’s discuss the dangers of blue-green algae and how you can keep your dog safe!
What Is Blue-Green Algae?
Despite its name, blue-green algae isn’t actually a type of algae at all. It’s a type of microscopic bacteria known as cyanobacteria.
It gets its name due to the way that it presents in our waterways.
When the bacteria all clump together, they form a substance that looks like algae on the surface of freshwater lakes, streams, ponds, and other water ecosystems.
While it is most often a blue-green colour (hence the name), it can come in different colours including olive-green, red and brown.
While the bacteria may be present in our waterways year-round, it is far more prevalent during periods of hot weather.
It is most often seen in the late summer and early fall.
Not only is cyanobacteria toxic to dogs, It can also be harmful to humans and other animals.
Therefore, it is important that we learn to recognize an algae bloom and take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our families.
Here in Ontario, the province has committed to a 12-point plan to fight these algae blooms in the Great Lakes and other waterways. You can read more about it on the Ontario.ca website.
Is My Dog At Risk?
As I previously mentioned, blue-green algae is harmful to humans and animals, however, dogs are highly susceptible to it’s harmful effects.
Not only are dogs at risk if they drink from an infected water source, the bacteria can collect on your dog’s coat when they swim.
This prolongs their chance of exposure, as they may then ingest the bacteria while grooming themselves.
While your vet may be able to flush the toxins from your dog’s system if treatment begins soon enough after exposure, there is no known antidote.
This is why it is SO important to educate yourself on the dangers of blue-green algae and how to react according. Your ability to recognize the symptoms and seek immediate medical attention could mean the difference between life or death.
If your dog enjoys swimming in local waterways or if you regularly take part in recreational activities on the water including canoe, kayaking and paddle boarding with your dog, then your dog may be at risk. Hunting dogs are also high risk.
This doesn’t mean that you need to stop these activities (I know that I won’t be)…
However, it does mean that you need to be aware, knowledgeable, and diligent!
Related: ‘Veterinarians Warn About the Risks Associated with Playing This Popular Summer Game with Your Dog’
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.
Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning in dogs include:
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness/Lethargy/Collapse
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Confusion/Disorientation
- Unconsciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
What To Do If Your Dog Is Exposed
If you have been in or near a waterway and believe that your dog has been exposed, you should rinse your dog off immediately with clean water.
This will remove the bacteria from your dog’s coat, preventing any further exposure.
Call your veterinarian immediately!
While there is no antidote to blue-green algae poisoning, your veterinarian may be able to flush the toxins from your dog’s system and minimize damage if it is addressed quickly enough.
Tips To Prevent Blue-Green Algae Poisoning
Experts are reporting the presence of toxic blue-green algae blooms across Canada and the United States.
While the process to fight and remove these toxins from our waterways is a large (and costly) project that can’t be solved by a single person like you and I, we can take steps to keep our families safe!
Always do a visual inspection before heading out on a body of water. If you see any signs of blue-green algae, it’s far safer to call off your plans.
As previously mentioned, the algae blooms can range in colours from blue-green to red.
It is often described as looking like painting floating on the surface of the water. The water may also have a ‘pea soup’ appearance.
Pay attention to the smell in the area when you are in and around a body of water.
Toxic algae blooms often give off a distinct scent. Fresh blooms give off a scent that has been described as ‘fresh mown grass’ while older blooms often have an unpleasant or rotten smell.
NEVER allow your dog to drink out of stagnant ponds, lakes or other water sources. This is especially true if the water has a scum-like appearance on the surface or along the shore.
Always take the time to rinse your dog down with clean water following a swim.
If you get into the habit of doing this regularly, it will simply become part of the process. It doesn’t have to be a full bath, just a quick rinse immediately after to remove any potential toxins.
Cyanobacteria isn’t always visible – Better safe than sorry!
If you are out hiking near waterways that you are unfamiliar with, keep your dog on a leash.
This will allow you to control their access to potentially harmful waterways. You never know if there is an access point just off the hiking trail!
Related: ‘Must-Have Camping Gear for Dogs’
Always listen to the posted recommendations regarding swimming from your local health unit.
Public beaches and highly trafficked waterways are tested regularly for any sign of harmful bacteria. If it has been posted that it is unsafe for swimming, this also includes your dog!
Remember, they are more susceptible to the dangers of blue-green algae.
In addition to the signage posted at beaches and public access points, pay attention to the news in your area (or the area that you plan on travelling to).
If an area is experiencing a high rate of blue-green algae, they will often turn to the media for help in warning the residents. This is a good indication that it’s better to avoid all waterways in that area, even the lesser known or private areas.
If you do live on a lakefront property or have a pond in your yard, make sure that you are keeping up with regular maintenance.
This includes necessary chemical treatments and filtration systems for ponds as well as maintenance of the shoreline for waterfront locations. This will help you to stay aware of any potential risks as the algae blooms are often found gathering along the shoreline when the wind conditions are right.
Reduce the nutrients going into waterways that could be encouraging growth by checking septic systems for any leaks as well as avoiding the use of fertilizers. Stay on top of cleaning up pet waste.
If you are looking for more information about the health risks of exposure to blue-green algae or you suspect that you have found a blue-green algae bloom, contact your local health unit.
Were you aware of the dangers of blue-green algae? What steps are you taking to keep your family safe?
This is so good to know!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
We often have the same problem during summer here in NZ too – have to be so careful with dogs, and avoiding spreading it. Good suggestions in this post.
It’s scary to think that it’s so prevalent and yet not too many dog owners are fully aware of the risks.
Oh no! I wasn’t aware of this at all. Thank you for the heads up! Does it happen in sea water as well? Or just fresh water?
It has been reported in both fresh and saltwater waterways. If the conditions are right, the cyanobacteria will take advantage of it! That being said, the reports I have read say that the saltwater can actually kill it off in larger amounts which is why you may see it along the shoreline or smaller tributaries, but you don’t see it out in the open ocean. Whether the saltwater itself is responsible for killing it is just a theory, but I believe that they are still doing research on that.
I remember reading the article about the dog dying after being exposed to the blue green algae. Does this bacteria that looks like algae exist outside North America?
Yes – While I have focused on Canada and the US (being that I live in Canada), it has been recorded in a number of different areas including the UK, New Zealand, etc. It’s a risk that all dog owners should familiarize themselves with regardless of where they live!
My beagle is such a true hound that I often catch him drinking out of a puddle on our deck when he has a fresh bowl of water just inside the doorway. He would definitely be drinking out of a pond with blue-green algae if he were anywhere near on. I had heard the term blue-green algae before but wasn’t really sure what it was nor how dangerous it is. Scary to think there’s no antidote available for it.
That’s the scariest part, by far. My girl is a water lover – if she sees water that she can play in or swim in, she’s in it immediately. We have to be super careful to keep her contained until we can review the situation ourselves to make sure that it’s safe.
I didn’t know the dangers between blue-green algae and dogs before reading this post! Thanks for sharing all this information! Very important for dog owners to know!
Given how quickly it can turn fatal, it’s so important to get the word out!
Oh wow! This is good to know. We aren’t really the outdoorsy sort, but I will keep this in mind. Thanks!
It’s surprising given how quickly it can turn fatal that it isn’t discussed more often. Especially with how wide spread the occurances have been. It’s not like it’s limited to one small area – they have seen algae blooms all over Canada and the US now. I just hope that in getting the word out, I can help to prevent at least one family from having to lose their pup to this unnecessarily.
Great post and I remember reading all about it last year.. It was so sad to hear about the 3 dogs but an eye opener for those that do go to lakes, thanks for this post.
We spend A LOT of time at the lakes camping, hiking and paddling with out pups, and that’s not going to change, but we’re far more aware of our surroundings and when to avoid waterways now!
Oooh! I didn’t know about the effects of Blue-Green Algae. The micro bacteria are the worst. They are hard to treat. Better to be safe than sorry by avoiding these areas or be super vigilant about treating any exposure. Thanks for sharing these facts!
Nancy ♥
Awareness is so, so important when it comes to keeping our pets (and ourselves) safe!
Blimey what a tragic story. How heartbreaking for Melissa. This is such an informative post – I’d hate for this to happen to someone else’s dog unnecessarily.
I honestly can’t imagine going through this – you take your dogs for what should be a positive adventure only to experience tragedy. So sad!
This is such a vital post and it’s heartbreaking what happened to this family and their dogs. Thank you for helping to spread the message and preventing further unnecessary doggy deaths.
When I was younger, we kept chickens and one day, a rodent got in and killed them all – it was so tragic for us because we lost all of our beloved pets in one go! I can’t imagine how this family felt, it must be way worse with dogs who are much closer companions.
I can’t imagine making the decision to take our dogs for a swim, which should be a positive thing, only to have it end in such tragedy!
This stuff is scary. It sounds like red tide which I think is in the same family, I could be wrong though. Important to pay attention when out exploring with a pet (or kids) that act without realizing the dangers.
I do know that the ‘blue-green algae’ as it has been called can present as red, so it could very well present in that way.
Needful content. Keep creating content like this! Tons of love for you
Thank you!
Gosh, I didn’t know about this but it sounds so scary! That poor woman must have been heartbroken, I can’t even imagine the pain of losing three so suddenly like that. Thankfully my little guy hates water and we live right by the sea so if he ever does contact water, it’s fresh seawater and nothing pooled/ stagnant so there’s a very slim chance of risk for us. Still great information to be aware of though! x
Sophie
My girl Dav is a HUGE water lover and I can’t even imagine going through a tragedy like that… I just hope that by sharing the warning, more dog lovers will be aware of the risk before they go through that kind of loss.
I’m looking to get a Dobie! I’ve never had a dog before so I’m trying to learn everything I can before getting one. This is super scary, but helpful! Thank you so much, Britt!
Congratulations on your soon to be new family member! There’s a lot of info here – check out the New Pet section for tips specifically focused on bringing home that first pup!
This is such an important reminder! Blue-green algae was found in a lake near us after some dogs passed away. We are always cautious and ensure we bring plenty of drinking water and their collapsible bowl on hikes.
It’s so sad that owners have had to lose their beloved pets in order for this to come to light. I can’t imagine the heartache they would go through. I’m just hoping that spreading the word will help prevent even one unnecessary death.
Wow. It sounds like blue-green algae can be really scary stuff! I had no idea that it was so toxic. I live in Michigan (in the center of the Great Lakes), but I don’t get out on the water very often. I will be more careful looking out for this stuff next time I’m out on the water.
I’m not too far from you, I’m in Southern Ontario. The Great Lakes are a big part of the reason why the Ontario government has committed to their 12 step plan to try to deal with this effectively as it has been seen far too often in our waters. It’s not going to stop me from heading out on the waters, but I’ve been much more aware of my surroundings since learning about this risk.
Thanks for all the helpful information. It’s getting harder and harder to find lakes that are safe to swim in. We used to bring our springer spaniel to a nearby lake to play in the water but now they have algae warning every year.
It’s good to hear that Canada has a plan to help the issue.
There have been a lot of warnings in lakes around our area as well. We’ve been travelling a little further, making a day out of it, to visit a dog-friendly and safe swimming location the last year or so.
OMG! I didn’t know anything about that and my pups have been enjoying the lakes not far from home during our walks (they know they can’t drink there but hey love laying in there for a minute or two), I should way more careful. I am so sorry for this tragic story and loosing three dogs at the time, it unimaginable pain
My pups love their lake time too. The best thing that we can do for them is to make sure that we’re familiar with what to look for and always rinse them off after time in the lake. I know that I can’t keep my water dog from the lakes, Dav LOVES swimming, but I can be careful about what lakes she is in!
I remember reading about that family in the news. It is such a sad story, but hopefully, posts like this will help other families from having the same thing happen!
That’s what I’m hoping – if even one family is spared that tragedy by reading this, it’s worth the time putting the post together!
I legit, had no idea about blue-green algae. I just assumed that all algae was okay! Glad you’re spreading the good word about it especially since it effects both dogs and humans! How scary. I hope communities stay up to date on these bacteria to keep everyone and their fur babies safe!
The scariest part is how quickly it can turn fatal. I know that our province is taking steps to address it. However, at this point, the best thing that we can do is spread the word and make sure that people are aware of the risk and what to watch for.
Very good to know -especially with the algae blooms spreading to areas not previously susceptible. Sharing this with a couple dog families!
Yes, it’s showing up in places where it wasn’t seen before, meaning that people aren’t fully aware of the risks. The best thing we can do is spread the word and ensure that pet owners are educated on the risks!
The dreaded blue-green algae; I hate it. Had a scare with it two years ago as Cookie’s frog-hunting ditch had a greenish color. Simply avoiding the ditch was not the option–Cookie lives for frog hunting. So I emptied it (shoveled the water out–did you know you can shovel water? LOL) and we filled it all over again.
I’m glad that you were able to recognize that it was needing to be addressed and acted accordingly! We can’t stop our pups from enjoying the local waterways either. We just have to be completely aware and on guard for potential risks, taking steps where necessary to take precautions.
Oh my goodness, that’s so sad, that poor lady, all three dogs 🙁 I had no idea about blue green algae, nor, I suspect, do many dog owners. Thank you for writing this, Britt. I’ll certainly pass the word to my friends who have dogs because with all the hot weather I’m sure many will be letting their dogs swim in water wherever they find it. Lisa
That’s the most frightening part of the whole situation – the fact that it is so dangerous and yet widely unknown! The best thing we can do is spread the word. I really hope that in writing this, I can spare at least one family from the tragedy that family experienced.
What a sad story about the family that lost their three dogs that must have been devastating. It’s to important to stay informed about the risks out there if you’re a pet owner.
Exactly – awareness is key. That’s why we need to spread the word. The process of cleaning up blue-green algae is a BIG one. While the province here has committed to the 12 step plan that I mentioned, that’s certainly not going to happen overnight. In the meantime, we can take any steps necessary to keep our pups safe.