Yes, some blue-green algae is toxic to pets

Summer is here and that means your family might go swimming in lakes or rivers to beat the heat.

But state health officials are advising people to stay away from certain bodies of water due to blue-green algae blooms. Pet owners have issued their own warnings over the years about staying away from the blooms after their dogs died from suspected poisoning. 

Online searches show people are asking if blue-green algae is harmful to pets. 

THE QUESTION

Is some blue-green algae toxic to pets?

THE SOURCES

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Cornell University’s Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center
• ASPCA
• VCA Animal Hospitals
• Washington State Department of Health
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services

THE ANSWER

Yes, some blue-green algae is toxic to  pets.

WHAT WE FOUND

Cyanobacteria, more commonly known as blue-green algae, can be found in fresh and salt water around the world.

According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), “a combination of warm temperatures, sunlight and nutrient-rich waters” can cause blue-green algae to “bloom.” These blooms, which are most common in the summer and early fall, usually float to the surface and are several inches thick near the shoreline.  

Though most blue-green algae blooms are not harmful, some produce toxins that can make humans and animals sick.

Blue-green algae blooms can lead to poisoning in pets if they drink from or swim in contaminated water sources. Dogs can also ingest the algae by licking it off their fur after leaving the water, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) says.

Animals can die within hours to days of swallowing toxins, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

People who are exposed to toxins from blue-green algae may experience stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, tiredness, irritation of the skin, eyes, nose or throat, and neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness or dizziness, the CDC says. 

Blue-green algae blooms often look like green paint or pea soup floating on the water, according to the Washington DOH and Minnesota PCA. They can also appear bluish, brownish or reddish green.

It’s impossible to tell whether a bloom contains toxins just by looking at it. That means all blue-green algae blooms “should be considered toxic until proven otherwise,” VCA Animal Hospitals says.

The best way to protect your pets from blue-green algae poisoning is to be vigilant. 

Don’t allow pets to drink from stagnant ponds, lakes or other bodies of water that have bluish-green scum on the surface or around the edges. In addition, if your pet goes for a swim, make sure to rinse them thoroughly with clean water afterward. 

Many public health departments also test the water frequently in areas that are known to have blue-green algae blooms and will post signs when there is a problem, the ASPCA says.

The signs of blue-green algae poisoning in pets depend on the type of toxin ingested, but they can include:

• Seizures
• Excessive drooling or tearing
• Difficulty breathing
• Disorientation 
• Weakness or inability to walk
• Paralysis
• Jaundice (yellow tint to the gums and skin)
• Pale gums
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite

There is no specific antidote for pets exposed to toxins from blue-green algae, and treatment often involves intensive, supportive care, according to Cornell University’s Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. 

You should seek immediate medical attention if you believe your pet has been exposed to toxins.