Can toxin affect dogs like it does people?

#Middlebury

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My dog Percy loves to jump into the lake nearby for a swim every day, especially on a hot afternoon. But the last time we were at the shore, a neighbor said there was an algae warning and that dogs and people should stay out of the water. Percy has been in that lake all summer and hasn’t been affected. Would that algae really do anything to him? – Pet Dad in Texas

DEAR PET DAD: If you doubt your neighbor’s warning, check with the city or municipality that manages the lake to see if an algae advisory has been issued. Signs are often posted at boat ramps and swimming areas.

There is at least one type of algae that is particularly harmful to pets. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can build up around the shores of lakes and ponds where water does not flow quickly – especially during the hottest months of summer. It’s not always visible, but when large amounts are present it may clump together and appear as a blue-green or “pea soup”-like scum or foam.

Cyanobacteria can be fatal to dogs because it can cause liver failure, and lifelong health problems if a dog survives the initial exposure. Dogs that ingest the bacteria can show symptoms within a few minutes – vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, breathing difficulties, confusion, seizures or collapse. Immediate treatment by a veterinarian is essential when symptoms appear.

So, if you hear a warning about letting your dog go into a specific lake or pond, whether from a neighbor or an official, take it seriously. Keep Percy out of the water until the all-clear is given.

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© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.