Chemical
Blue-Green Algae (cyanobacteria) in Ponds and Lakes
A critical emergency. Some toxins act within minutes, so seek veterinary help immediately even before signs appear.
Life-threateningDogsWildlifeLivestock
What to do right now
- 1.Rinse the coat thoroughly with clean water to stop further ingestion during grooming
- 2.Prevent the animal from drinking any more of the water
- 3.Go to an emergency vet immediately and mention the suspected algal bloom
Symptoms
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Weakness and staggering
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden collapse and death in severe cases
Details
- Category
- Chemical
- Toxicity
- Life-threatening
- Species affected
- Dogs, Wildlife, Livestock
- Routes of exposure
- Drinking or swimming in water with a visible algal bloom, then swallowing water while grooming
- Urgency
- A critical emergency. Some toxins act within minutes, so seek veterinary help immediately even before signs appear.
Veterinary treatment
Cyanobacterial toxins can cause acute liver failure or rapid-onset neurological signs and respiratory paralysis depending on the species of algae. There is no specific antidote, so supportive care is critical and speed matters.