Summer heat and algae: A dangerous combo for your furry friends

WASHINGTON — With the arrival of summer, bodies of water across the globe begin to teem with life. But not all life is welcome. Algal blooms, a byproduct of warm, nutrient-rich waters, become a common sight, turning pristine lakes into murky green expanses. This seasonal surge in algae growth is more than just an eyesore—it’s a sign of underlying environmental shifts with far-reaching impacts. 

So, what causes these blooms to flourish in the heat of summer, and what does it mean for our pets?

Algae flourish in summer, as sunlight is essential for their food production. Algal blooms, which occur predominantly in freshwater, are a sign of rapid algae growth.

According to PetMD, "blue-green algae" refers to a toxic bacteria often found within algae. While most blooms are non-toxic, some can produce harmful toxins that can be deadly to pets and people. Given the challenge of being able to see if a bloom is toxic, it's best to consider all algal blooms potentially harmful.

When your pet drinks or swims in water with toxic blue-green algae, it can harm their liver, nervous system and skin. Liver failure or neurological issues can occur within hours of exposure, while skin effects may take a few days to appear. Toxicity affecting the liver or nervous system is often deadly within minutes to hours, whereas skin exposure typically requires treatment but pets usually survive.

Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning include: 

The CDC says pets should not do any of the following in the area of a bloom:

If your pets or livestock have been in the water, immediately wash them off with clean water to keep them from licking cyanobacteria off their fur.

Since the signs develop quickly and are deadly, officials remind pet owners it's important to get to a vet ASAP. 

The best way to keep your pet safe its to avoid all water with visible algal blooms. 

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