Can a bathing lake pose a deadly risk for dogs? Yes, but it’s not just the risk of drowning; rather, it’s the risk of blue-green algae poisoning. Dogs and blue-green algae in the water can have tragic consequences under certain circumstances.
We provide information about the dangers at the bathing lake, symptoms of poisoning, and initial measures in case of an emergency.
- What are Blue-Green Algae?
- Why are Blue-Green Algae Dangerous?
- How Dangerous are Blue-Green Algae for Dogs?
- Blue-Green Algae Danger for Dogs
- Dogs and Blue-Green Algae: How to React in Case of Poisoning?
- How is Veterinary Treatment Done for Blue-Green Algae Poisoning?
- How to Avoid the Deadly Danger of Blue-Green Algae?
What are Blue-Green Algae?
When people hear the term blue-green algae, many think of a type of aquatic plant that is visible to the naked eye. However, this is not the case. Blue-green algae are actually cyanobacteria. These bacteria produce a toxin that is not readily visible in the water. Incidentally, blue-green algae are more green in color. They form streaks or a kind of carpet on the water surface, shimmering green. These carpets can also form below the water surface. You can recognize this when standing in the water up to your knees, and you can no longer see your feet.
Especially in summer, there is a rapid development of these blue-green algae in bathing waters. The cyanobacteria in blue-green algae are capable of photosynthesis. They multiply almost by heat and sunlight, as well as by absorbing nitrogen from the air. Not only the green shimmering areas of a body of water are affected, but also all other areas of the bathing lake. In small, stagnant bodies of water, you can not only visually detect the infestation but also perceive it by the smell. Blue-green algae infestation causes the water to smell like rotten eggs and manure.
Why are Blue-Green Algae Dangerous?
Prolonged heat in the summer causes blue-green algae, or more accurately, cyanobacteria, to develop toxins that are dangerous for both humans and dogs. Skin contact with blue-green algae can cause allergies in sensitive individuals. Swallowing water contaminated with cyanobacteria can even lead to stomach problems. When accumulated in the body, the effects of blue-green algae are carcinogenic.
How Dangerous are Blue-Green Algae for Dogs?
Dogs and blue-green algae: this can be a dangerous combination in some cases. Some of the blue-green algae, through their toxins, trigger various symptoms that can lead to death. The magazine “Animal Wellness” describes the symptoms as follows:
These symptoms can occur to varying degrees and intensities depending on the type of blue-green algae. In the worst case, they can lead to a fatal outcome. If you observe these signs in your dog after spending time with him at a bathing lake or another stagnant body of water, it may indicate blue-green algae poisoning. Seek a veterinarian immediately: Blue-green algae pose a life-threatening risk to dogs.
Blue-Green Algae Danger for Dogs
Avoid bodies of water covered with green streaks in general. Although only a few of the approximately 200 known types of blue-green algae are toxic, you cannot assess which type of blue-green algae has formed on the water and how the toxic cyanobacteria develop. Therefore, avoid the surroundings of these bodies of water in general. Even puddles located at the edge of the lake can be contaminated, that is, polluted. Likewise, the water’s edge at the edge of the body of water may be affected by blue-green algae.
This happens when shore areas are occasionally covered with water due to light wave movement, allowing blue-green algae to deposit on them. Therefore, stones and sticks in the vicinity of such bodies of water are also off-limits. Cyanobacteria on objects can be absorbed through the mucous membranes of your dog.
Dogs and Blue-Green Algae: How to React in Case of Poisoning?
In general, it is advisable to be prepared for various scenarios during a swimming trip with your dog. This includes the possible risk of poisoning. Therefore, activated charcoal tablets must be part of such an emergency kit. You can administer these charcoal tablets to your dog if you suspect that he has come into contact with cyanobacteria. Poisoning does not necessarily occur only through swallowing water. Just licking the fur after bathing is enough for your dog to absorb blue-green algae through the mucous membranes and thus get poisoned.
If you do not have an emergency kit, you must go to the vet immediately if you suspect poisoning. Cyanobacteria poisoning in dogs leads to the immediate provision of intensive medical care. The interaction of different symptoms can lead to circulatory collapse, respiratory failure, as well as kidney and liver failure, which can be fatal.
How is Veterinary Treatment Done for Blue-Green Algae Poisoning?
If you have already taken initial measures such as administering activated charcoal, it’s time to go to the vet. Although only a few blue-green algae produce highly toxic toxins that can lead to death within minutes, it is better to be safe: The symptoms mentioned above can still cause your dog to die from blue-green algae poisoning even after a few hours. The vet will take the measures necessary for any general poisoning, including stomach lavage, additional administration of activated charcoal, and providing fluids through an infusion. Specific treatment will be provided for symptoms such as seizures or difficulty breathing.
Since bacterial infections can occur on the fur due to blue-green algae infestation, the vet will also administer antibiotics. He must also thoroughly clean your dog to completely remove algae residues. As such treatment is very time-consuming and also involves longer aftercare, the vet bill will be correspondingly high. Such treatment should ideally be covered by existing pet insurance, allowing you to focus entirely on your dog’s recovery.
How to Avoid the Deadly Danger of Blue-Green Algae?
Certainly, there is nothing more beautiful for dogs in summer than frolicking in the water. Most furry friends are real water lovers. However, before you plan a trip to a bathing lake in beautiful weather, inquire locally with the responsible health authorities if there is a warning for the chosen bathing area. Since blue-green algae also pose health concerns for humans, especially children, affected bodies of water are known to the water management office or health department. If you go to the water without much preparation and spontaneously, please observe the following:
- Check if dead birds are lying at the edge of the body of water. This is an indication that the body of water may be infested with blue-green algae.
- Have municipal warning signs possibly already been set up warning about water quality? Then you should avoid this lake or pond.
- Avoid shallow and flat areas in unknown bodies of water that are permanently exposed to the sun. Cyanobacteria develop fastest here.
- Always carry a large water bottle so you can rinse your dog’s paws and legs a bit if he jumps into an unknown body of water.
- Ensure that your dog does not lick his fur or paws after bathing in an unknown body of water. This can cause him to absorb bacteria that may now be on his fur through the mucous membranes.
- After a swim, vigorously rub your dog with a towel. At home, go under the garden hose or shower to prevent blue-green algae from settling in the fur.
- Do not let your dog drink from unknown bodies of water. Especially in hot weather, small, stagnant bodies of water are at risk. Instead, take a large water bottle and a portable bowl for your dog.
The iHugDogs team wishes you to spend the summer days with your dog without any incidents and visits to the vet.
