Can cyanobacteria make my pet sick?
Yes. Animals are also sensitive to cyanobacterial toxins. Pets and wildlife are likely to ingest algae when they drink water from a lake or pond with cyanobacteria. If toxins are being produced at the time animals drink the water, the animals can become very ill and even die. Dogs can be exposed to toxins by licking cyanobacteria from their fur after swimming. Don’t let pets or livestock swim or drink in areas where there is a scum or mat of algae on the water. If they do swim in such areas, rinse them off as soon as you can. Symptoms of exposure to cyanobacterial toxins include loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, seizures difficulty breathing and convulsions. Neurological symptoms, including salivation, can appear within 15 to 20 minutes of exposure. If your animals show any of these symptoms, seek veterinary advice. Be sure to tell your veterinarian that your animal may have come into contact with cyanobacterial toxins.
