PSA: Warning Toxic Blue-Green Algae Showing Up In Lakes Across The US

It's been a really hot summer, you wake up one morning and it's just too hot.. you decide to take your beloved pet to the lake to cool off because you're a great dog owner. Never in a million years would you think that one day of fun in the lake would be their last.

Warning These will be difficult stories to read, but we are sharing them in hopes of spreading awareness of toxic blue-green algae, and maybe save the lives of other pups and their unsuspecting owners.

Toxic blue-green algae have been showing up in lakes across the US, and have already taken some of the beloved furbabies out there.

Story via Wide On Pets

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What is blue-green algae and what does it look like?

via Fox 6 Now

Blue-green algae isn't actually algae, but a bacteria called cyanobacteria that are normally present in many lakes. The bacteria thrives in warm, stagnant, nutrient water and when it thrives, it forms quickly.
Sometimes the algae look like grains of floating green sand or scum. It's often described as pea soup or spilled green paint.
"Any time you see unusually colored water, or vividly colored scums, be aware that this might be blue-green algae, and definitely keep pets and small children out of the water when the water looks like this," said Laliberte, Wisconsin DNR.
The algae can go undetected by dog owners if they lurk under the water's surface or attach to plants. Wind can also blow algae from one area into another that had previously looked clear.
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What harm does it do?

via Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman, via Associated Press
The health threats that the toxic presents range from skin rashes to neurological problems. The toxins released from the algae can cause liver damage, lead to respiratory paralysis or produce other fatal conditions.
Dogs are considered to be at high danger when blue-green algae is present, as they sometimes lap up the water, ingest floating pieces of algae or snap at floating algal balloons. They could fall fatally ill after licking their wet fur. Toxic algae can also dry up into crusts onshore, where dogs might nibble on them.
According to this report by MNN, researchers believed the dogs were exposed to the toxins:
- Inhalation - 13%
- Ingestion - 9%
- Skin contact plus ingestion (swimming, with swallowing water or licking fur) - 54%
- Unknown - 24%
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via Melissa Martin
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via Morgan Fleming
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via Brittany Stanton
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via Melissa Martin