29 Jun 2023
|
Lifestyle
FREE UK DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £39.99
There’s nothing like walking your dog during the warmer spring and summer months. But, if you’re passing any lakes or ponds with a bright green film on the surface, this is a warning to you and your dog to steer clear, instead of taking a cooling dip.
Blue-green algae form on still water and are extremely dangerous, or even fatal, to your pooch if they ingest it or it comes into contact with their skin. In this article, we’ll explain what blue-green algae is, how to identify it, and how to keep your dog safe from its toxic effects.
Blue-green algae looks like a paint-like film on top of water and wet surfaces, and it’s not actually algae at all, but Cyanobacteria.
Usually it’s green but it can also be blue, brown or red. Sometimes there is foam, and often, an unpleasant smell.
This bacterium gathers and breeds in wet places, particularly on still or stagnant water like lakes, ponds or lagoons. When you see a pond that is covered in green, it might look scenic, but you and your pooch shouldn’t go anywhere near it.
Not all algae is blue-green algae, but the risk is that it’s often difficult to tell the difference.
Bodies of freshwater that are still or slow-moving are a prime spot for the Cyanobacteria to thrive and create blue-green algae.
Lakes, lagoons, ponds, brackish areas (where freshwater meets the sea), even coastal pools or marshes can be susceptible to breeding these toxic bacteria.
Another risk worth noting is that you won’t always see the blue-green algae. It doesn’t only present as a green film on the surface of water, but is sometimes in the water.
Still water that has a murky, milky quality is prone to having these bacteria swimming within its depths. This is why you should be especially vigilant and put your dog on a lead if they have a tendency to run, jump or drink water whenever they see it.
Blue-green algae is severely toxic if your dog ingests it, but it can be poisonous even if it gets on your dog’s skin or fur.
This is because it releases two types of toxins that can be absorbed into the body, Neurotoxins and Hepatotoxins. Put simply, these toxins can make your dog severely unwell, and can prove fatal, sometimes immediately.
Neurotoxins attack your dog’s nervous system. This can lead to:
Hepatotoxins attack the dog’s liver and can cause further damage around the body if untreated.
If your pooch has come into contact with blue-green algae, consider it an emergency and immediately watch out for the following symptoms:
Almost immediately.
You may see symptoms appear within five minutes to a few hours of your dog coming into contact with the algae.
In some cases, there isn’t a slow onset of symptoms and the severe signs could trigger straight away. This makes contact with blue-green algae a medical emergency for your pooch. As soon as you know they have touched, licked or drunk it, call your vet.
Prevention is always better than a cure when it comes to these dangerous toxins, so be prepared to keep your dog safe from blue-green algae.
If you catch your dog drinking from a source of blue-green algae, stop them from doing so and immediately call your vet or take them straight to an emergency vets. Don’t try to induce vomiting, just keep them warm and safe, and watch out for the onset of any symptoms.
If your pooch has jumped into an algae pond or body of water, directly and clearly order them to get out of the water (it helps if they have a strong call-back response). Do all you can to prevent them from licking or grooming themselves, and if possible, wipe them down with a towel. Call your vet or an emergency vets straight away and watch out for any symptoms that might appear.
Dogs with blue-green algae poisoning will need emergency treatment as symptoms can be lethal.
A vet will treat any symptoms that are currently presenting, and induce vomiting (but don’t do this yourself).
If your pooch gets sickness or diarrhoea from something they’ve ingested, consider switching to dog food for sensitive tummies. The gently digestible, natural ingredients and a burst of powerful probiotics help replenish the good bacteria in your pooch’s gut, so they feel back to their normal selves in no time.
Comments (0)
Leave a comment