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Summer time is always better spent in the water with your puppy, perhaps on a paddle board at your local reservoir. Often times, pet owners don't think of the other organisms that enjoy water during hot summer days, organisms like blue-green algae.
This so-called "algae" is not actually a type of algae but a bacteria known as cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria is NOT visible to the naked eye, but often combines in clumps that resemble algae in bodies of water, especially during the hotter seasons. It is often described as a green or blue thick mat on the surface of the water, usually accompanied by a foul smell.
Dogs are vulnerable to blue-green algae poisoning because of their likelihood to play in the water, blue-green algae becomes deadly when consumed in high concentrations. Dogs that play fetch in the water is just one of the many ways they are affected by the greater water ingestion and intoxication of the "algae".
Preventing your dog from being poisoned:
Do not allow your dog to drink out of stagnant water, ponds or lakes, always have fresh water readily available
Do not allow your dog to eat clumps of algae or things out of/around ponds and lakes
Do not allow your dog to lick their paws after swimming
When you get home from the lake, always bathe your dog
When travelling, check local council websites, and look out for warning signs regarding the "algae" for that year
Check the water before allowing your dog to swim, if you think you've found blue-green algae, report it to the Environment Agency or local council so they can run a water test
Symptoms your dog has been poisoned from blue-green algae (this can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few days to develop):
Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
Twitching
Seizures
Increased thirst
Drooling
Diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Lethargic
Sudden death
NOTE: you need to contact your vet IMMEDIATELY if you think your dog has blue-green algae poisoning, the sooner your dog gets treatment the higher their chance is of survival.
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