Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) looks like pea soup, spilled green or blue paint, or floating scum on stagnant freshwater. It can also appear as brownish-green mats washed up along shorelines. Water containing toxic blooms often smells musty or foul, though toxic water can sometimes appear completely clear.
dog water
The Lethal Speed of Cyanobacteria Toxicity
Cyanobacteria blooms produce potent neurotoxins (anatoxins) and
hepatotoxins (microcystins). If a dog drinks contaminated water or licks
microscopic algae off their fur after swimming, clinical signs can begin
in as little as 15 minutes, with high mortality rates without immediate
intensive care.
Recognizing Exposure Symptoms
-
Neurotoxic Symptoms (Minutes): Excessive
drooling, muscle tremors, rigid paralysis, disorientation, and fatal
respiratory collapse. -
Hepatotoxic Symptoms (Hours): Vomiting, bloody
diarrhea, pale/jaundiced gums, acute liver failure, and shock.
Safety Golden Rule
When in doubt, stay out. Avoid all stagnant freshwater bodies during
warm summer months, especially if scum or discoloration is visible.