#Middlebury #BlueGreenAlgae #Dogs
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: A couple of weeks ago, my family took a trip to a nearby pond. Our dog Jessup splashed and played along with us. On the drive home, Jessup began to look ill and started drooling. When we reached home, he got very ill and started having seizures. I rushed him to the emergency vet, where they treated him. The vet said that he may have ingested blue-green algae, and that it is very common in ponds and still water at this time of year. Please let your readers know about this risk! Jessup is recovering and will probably be OK, but the vet said this can be fatal. – Sherry in Dallas, Texas
DEAR SHERRY: I’m so glad to hear that Jessup is doing well! Yes, blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is toxic and can make a dog very ill if it’s ingested. It exists in many bodies of fresh water and grows rapidly when the water temperature is over 75 degrees – so it’s at its highest levels, and most dangerous, in the hot summer months.
Look carefully at the water in the lake or pond before letting your dog near it. If you see a lot of pea-green growth and a slimy look to the water at the shoreline, don’t let your dog jump in.
Even if the water looks OK, check to see if any “no swimming” signs are posted nearby. You also can check your local county or city website or parks department for a water quality report. And even if the water is OK for people and dogs to swim in, be sure to rinse your dog’s coat in clean tap water as soon as possible after swimming.
© 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
You must be logged in to post a comment.