Oregon Dog Health Alert - Toxic Water
Toxic water can lead to illness and even death
Harmful algae and cyanobacteria (sometimes called blue-green algae) can produce toxins (poisons) that can make people and animals sick and affect the environment. Children and dogs are particularly vulnerable. Ice and winter weather does not change the toxicity of the water.
The Oregon Veterinary Association issued an advisory for the Malheur Reservoir in Eastern Oregon and a permanent warning for pet owners for South Umpqua River and Lawson Bar. Be aware that even though advisories for other bodies of water have not been issued, it does not mean there is not contamination. A summer, 2021 dog owner visiting Haag Lake reported a death due to toxic Algae. Washington County has tested the water at Haag Lake and says it is clear of toxic algae but urges visitors to remain cautious. Read the Washington County Press Release.
What does a body of water with toxic algae look like?
DAN KRAKER, MPR News
DR. JENNIFER L. GRAHAM, U.S. Geological Survey
What is toxic algae?
Algae and cyanobacteria are simple, plant-like organisms that live in the water. Algae and cyanobacteria can rapidly grow out of control, or “bloom,” when water is warm, slow-moving, and full of nutrients. Blooms can occur in fresh water, salt water, and brackish (a mixture of fresh and salt) water around the world. Blooms sometimes look like foam, scum, mats, or paint on the surface of the water. They can even make the water appear different colors, including green, blue, red, brown, or another color. The warm weather and warmer water temperatures can contribute to the increase in toxic blooms so can fertilizer, sewage, or runoff from cities and industrial buildings.
Blooms of algae or cyanobacteria can be harmful to people, animals, or the environment if they
produce toxins (poisons)
become too dense
use up the oxygen in the water or
release harmful gases
Symptoms in dogs
Exposure to toxic blue-green algae can result in:
Weakness or collapse
Nausea, vomiting
Excessive drooling
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Shaking, trembling
Tremors, rigidity, paralysis
What to do?
If your dog goes into the water:
Don’t let your pet lick its fur.
Wash your pet with clean water as soon as possible.
If your dog has symptoms such as drooling, weakness, vomiting, staggering and convulsions after being in water, seek immediate veterinary care. Acute, life-threatening symptoms from cyanobacterial toxins often develop rapidly. Death can occur within minutes, hours or a few days after exposure.
How People and Animals Get Sick
When in doubt, keep children and animals out! Cyanobacteria can be deadly for children and animals.
People and animals (including pets, livestock, and wildlife) can get sick when they have contact with water or food that contains certain types of algae, cyanobacteria, or their toxins.
People and animals can get sick if they
swim, wade, or play in or near contaminated water
eat contaminated fish, shellfish or
use contaminated drinking water
Illnesses and symptoms can vary depending on how a person or animal was exposed (came into contact with algae, cyanobacteria, or their toxins), how long they were exposed, which type of toxin was present, and how much toxin was present. Exposure to some algal and cyanobacterial toxins can also harm your liver and kidneys. If you think you may have symptoms caused by harmful algae, cyanobacteria, or their toxins, contact your healthcare provider or Poison Control.
Human symptoms can include
stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
general symptoms, like headache
skin, eye, nose, or throat irritation
neurological symptoms (for example, muscle weakness, dizziness)
Animals are often the first affected, in part because they are more likely to swim in or drink from bodies of water that contain harmful algae or cyanobacteria. See the CDC Animal Safety Alert fact sheet for more tips to protect your pets.
Reference links:
https://www.cdc.gov/habs/be-aware-habs.html