By Dr. Emma Bush
As the sun sets later and the days get warmer, we look forward to spending more time outdoors with our four-legged companions. Whether it be on the hiking trails, in a field playing fetch, or swimming at the ocean or the lake. With warmer weather, there are multiple concerns that we have to be aware of for our canine pets, some of which we have discussed in previous blog posts including Leptospirosis and tick-borne diseases. However, today we are focusing on something a little bit different: Blue-green algae toxicity.
Many of us are familiar with blue-green algae through seeing it’s bright green blooms in still pond or lake water. It commonly looks like a mat or build-up of bright green paint or pea soup on the water’s surface. However, few of us know what exactly it is, or what it can do to our canine companions.
Blue-green algae is not in fact an alga, but is instead a poisonous type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. Though it’s proliferation and over-growth most commonly is recognized as a vibrant green color, it can also present as other colors. It lives and grows in warm and still water, predominantly lakes and ponds, though it can technically be found in any region of still, warm water, including ponds, fountains and even bird baths!
It typically thrives in regions where runoff from fertilizer or even sewage is present and blooms typically occur in later summer as the water temperature rises. Despite this, it does not need these components to be present and prolific.
Blue-green algae can cause skin irritation from direct contact in people, and gastrointestinal issues if accidentally consumed. Its effects can be drastic and deadly in our pets; with the ability to cause death within minutes in some cases! The toxin itself enters the body through consumption of contaminated water and can affect the nervous system (causing signs including, but not limited to, paralysis, seizures and death); the liver (causing decreased ability of the blood to clot, low blood sugar, seizures and death); and, in less severe cases, topical concerns including itching, blistering and redness of the skin.
Unsurprisingly the skin issues are not fatal; however, the liver and nervous system effects in many cases can be. Unfortunately, there is no antidote for this toxicity: treatment consists of decontamination (removing the toxin, through bathing and/or making the animal throw up if an appropriate candidate for this under veterinary guidance/supervision), as well as supportive care and treating clinical under intensive veterinary care. Even if doing everything right and catching it early, many of these cases are fatal. For the lucky ones that do survive this toxicity, treatment may be prolonged, complicated and expensive, with no guarantee of an ultimate return to normal.
Where this is such a rapidly fatal toxicity and there is no antidote, prevention is key in maintaining protection of our pets. It is important to keep an eye out for warnings of affected lakes and areas and to strictly avoid swimming and drinking from these bodies of water, and preventing your dog access to these waters.
The biggest take-homes that I would hope to convey from this would be to prevent access to possible Blue-green algae blooms, and if your dog does come into contact with a bloom, to immediately take them to the vet as this is an emergency.
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If you have any questions or concerns about Blue-green algae and its consequences,
please do not hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian.
References Used
- Veterinarians warn of toxic blue-green algae dangers:
https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&catId=-1&id=9235610
- VCA Cyanobacteria Poisoning:
https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/algae-poisoning - Pet Poison Helpline Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria)
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/blue-green-algae/ - Blue-green algae toxicity in dogs: VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Blog:
https://vetgirlontherun.com/blue-green-algae-toxicity-in-dogs-vetgirl-veterinary-continuing-education-blog/ - CBC News: Blue-green algae: A Q&Q with a public health doctor:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/algae-blooms-dangers-zygmunt-questions-answers-doctor-1.6063726 - CBC News: Blue-green algae: harmful for humans, fatal for dogs, warns Edmonton vet:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/blue-green-algae-fatal-dogs-moose-lake-edmonton-vet-ahs-1.5651330