Greyhounds might not be famous for their swimming skills, but many hounds love to take a dip in a puddle, stream or lake, especially when the weather is warm.  Most of the time, the worst thing that happens is they get wet and muddy. Rarely, however, dogs can be poisoned by blue-green algae.  While a harmful exposure is rare, blue-green algae poisoning can be fatal. So we wanted to tell you more about it. 

Blue-green algae (aka Cyanobacteria) create various forms of toxins as byproducts of their metabolism. Growing blue-green algae colonies form a "bloom," giving the water a bluish, greenish appearance that some describe as "pea soup" like in color. Typically, dangerous blue-green algae blooms grow in the hot weather of late summer and early fall (in other words, now).  Risk factors include high water temperatures, winds concentrating algae on a shoreline, and fertilizer (or other nutrient) runoff. Blooms can occur anywhere throughout the United States under favorable conditions, including unmaintained backyard ponds, small koi ponds and even big puddles. 

• Vomiting

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• Diarrhea
• Blood in stool or black, tarry stool
• Pale mucous membranes
• Jaundice
• Seizures
• Disorientation
• Coma
• Shock
• Excessive secretions (e.g., salivation, lacrimation, etc.)
• Neurologic signs (including muscle tremors, muscle rigidity, paralysis, etc.)
• Blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes
• Difficulty breathing

The most crucial step to take to protect your dog is to prevent access to any potentially contaminated water.  If you have a pond or water livestock, check for algae blooms regularly. Once you see a bloom, keep all animals (horses, cows and cats can also be affected) out of the water unless you test to confirm the absence of toxins. For summer water fun, consider investing in a cheap kiddie pool that you fill with fresh water regularly or share the human pool. 

Please spread the word about blue-green algae poisoning to your friends with water loving dogs by sharing this article.  You can easily do so by clicking the "Forward to a Friend" button below.  Stay safe in the water! 

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