8/12/2019

 

blue-green algae (scientific name: Cyanobacteria)

The photo above clearly depicts blue green algae , but the deadly bacteria IS NOT always this visible in water

An article spreading like wildfire on social media these last 48hours about a dog that unfortunately died shortly after swimming in lake water suspected of having blue-green algae. The article states “we can only assume was a lake toxin such as blue green algae” so its assumed and not proven. but none the less this dogs fate should not go unnoticed and raise awareness for the deadly threat of Blue-Green algae that may be in your local ponds/lakes etc.

A big misconception seems to be that people THINK blue green-algae is always visible as the thick green pea soup like color and consistency that it looks like on top of the water as most pictures depict it, and then they are quick to judge and insult poor judgment on these heartbroken pet owners by asking “well why would you let your dog swim in that”!

But blue green algae isn’t always visible on the top of the water, so a person may unknowingly be letting their dog be exposed to this deadly toxin. Surly nobody would be exposing their dog to this if they knew, and a lot of dog owners simply do not know this is an issue.

this article below from the Minnesota pollution agency shows you how to in fact try to determine if in fact water may have blue green algae. take note that the algae IS NOT always visible, and tests ARE NOT always accurate to determine if it’s present. “No test for blue-green algae is perfect”- Minnesota pollution control agency Unfortunately blue green algae in water is deadly to our dogs.

British columbia healthlink BC mentions that “not all blooms are easy to see. Toxins can still be in the water even if you cannot see the blooms. ” source
CBC news article on blue green algae

Cyanobacteria (blue green algae) can produce toxins that cause respiratory and liver failure. (Haraz N. Ghanbari/Associated Press)

to download article on testing click here