Blue-green algae is not always blue-green. It can be green, yellow, brown,
or even red. So do not let the name be deceiving.
"Blooms can occur at any time, but most often occur in late summer or early fall. They
can occur in marine, estuarine, and fresh waters, but the blooms of greatest concern are the ones that occur in fresh water,
such as drinking water reservoirs or recreational waters.
Some cyanobacterial blooms can look like foam, scum, or mats on the surface of fresh water
lakes and ponds. The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown, or red and may look like paint floating on the water. Some blooms
may not affect the appearance of the water. As algae in a cyanobacterial bloom die, the water may smell bad.
Some cyanobacteria that can form CyanoHABs (Harmful Algal Blooms) produce toxins that are
among the most powerful natural poisons known. These toxins have no known antidotes.
Swallowing water that has cyanobacterial toxins in it can cause acute, severe gastroenteritis
(including diarrhea and vomiting).
Liver toxicity (i.e., increased serum levels of liver enzymes). Symptoms of liver poisoning
may takes hours or days to show up in people or animals. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Kidney toxicity.
Neurotoxicity. These symptoms can appear within 15 to 20 minutes
after exposure. In dogs, the neurotoxins can cause salivation and other neurologic symptoms, including weakness, staggering,
difficulty breathing, convulsions, anddeath. People may have numb lips, tingling fingers and toes, or they may feel dizzy."
(taken from the USDAC site )
It can be there one day and gone the next.
If in doubt, don't let your dog swim there. Its better to be safe
than sorry.
Dogs develop the toxicity
from ingestion of the algae. This can come from a dog drinking the water or even accidentally ingesting it from licking
their hair after a day of swimming.
Toxicity can occur either
in the liver of the dog that ingested the algae or in the nervous system.
Signs
of Blue-Green Algae Toxicity in the liver may include:
Weakness/lethargy
Pale mucous membranes
Bloody Diarrhea
Mental Instability
Death
Signs of Blue-Green Algae Toxicity in the nervous system may include:
Muscle tremors
Convulsions
Labored breathing
Difficulty moving
Death
If you
think your dog has been poisoned by blue-green algae get them to the vet immediately. There is no way to treat this
at home by yourself. It could be the difference between life and death!
