The warm weather provides a great time to get outside with our furry friends! But with the beautiful temperature also comes some dangers. Stagnant water is one of them!
Blue-green algae, specifically, can endanger the life of your animal. This algae forms on or near bodies of water during warm weather months. It can be found in ponds and lakes, fresh water, backyard fountains, or even on rocks.
Your dog can be affected if they drink from or swim in contaminated sources.
Signs of blue-green algae toxicity in stagnant water include:
- Seizures
- Panting
- Excessive drooling
- Respiratory failure
- Diarrhea
- Disorientation
- Vomiting
- Liver failure
- Death
Don’t allow your animals to drink from stagnant ponds, lakes or other bodies of water that have bluish-green scum on the surface or around the edges.
The cells of the blue-green algae can also latch onto your furry friend’s fur, which can be ingested when the animal cleans itself. This is why it’s important to wash your dog after they have been in contact with any body of water.
For more information go to ASPCA’s blog.