Many furry friends just can’t get enough of splashing around in the cool water. Especially in summer, however, this can be associated with a real danger.
Namely when the blue-green algae population has gotten out of control.
Which Blue-green algae symptoms in dogs require quick action, we will explain to you in the following guide.
Why are blue-green algae so dangerous in dogs?
Blue-green algae occur in all bodies of water and are harmless in normal concentrations.
It can get hairy in midsummer when the temperatures are rising.
The blue-green algae can then multiply rapidly. Above all Standing waters are particularly affected herethey then tip over.
You can tell by the fact that there is a greenish-yellowish-bluish coating on the water surface, some of which already has a foam crown.
Dead fish can also float on the water if there is a particularly strong blue-green algae infestation. The water is then often bright blue – and should be avoided.
Here you can assume that these blue-green algae can be deadly for your dog. The Tychonema bacteria are primarily responsible here.
If your dog has come into contact with water contaminated with blue-green algae, you should bathe him as soon as possible – and make sure that he doesn’t lick himself until then.
Blue-green algae symptoms in dogs: what are the typical signs?
If your dog has been in contact with blue-green algae, some of the first signs of dog poisoning include lethargy and discomfort, as well as diarrhea and vomiting.
As the poisoning progresses, there are other signs that you can use to recognize blue-green algae contact in the dog, namely salivation and fever.
The other blue-green algae symptoms are Muscle cramps, tremors, lameness, as well as breathing problems or even shortness of breath.
We will now tell you why these signs of blue-green algae appear in dogs.
IMPORTANT!
The first signs by which you can recognize blue-green algae in your dog usually appear half an hour after contact with the water.
lethargy & malaise
Blue-green algae contain dangerous bacteria, which in very high concentrations are life-threatening for humans and dogs alike.
If a dog has taken a lap in water contaminated with blue-green algae, it may have poisoned itself with these – this is also possible if it drank the water.
As a result, the fur nose feels listless and uncomfortable. These signs, by which you can recognize blue-green algae in dogs, usually also lead to a loss of appetite.
vomiting & diarrhea
One of the first reactions of the dog’s body to the blue-green algae will be to vomit and suffer from diarrhea.
In these two ways, the toxins should be transported out of the organism as quickly as possible.
Vomiting and diarrhea are therefore further signs of blue-green algae in dogs.
Fever
Fever is always a sure sign that an infection, illness or poisoning is affecting the body – the immune system is running at full speed.
Accordingly, if your dog has come into contact with blue-green algae, it may show these signs of blue-green algae.
Good to know
The toxins microcystin, anatoxins, lyngbya, aplysia and debromoaplysia are responsible for these blue-green algae signs in dogs.
neurological disorders
In most cases, poisoning also affects the nervous system – including when it is caused by blue-green algae.
Typical signs of blue-green algae in dogs include muscle cramps, tremors and lameness.
Breathing problems & shortness of breath
Poisoning also affects the respiratory system. Blue-green algae can cause breathing problems and even shortness of breath in dogs.
Do you notice that your dog is panting or that his tongue is hanging out of his mouth when he is breathing? Then these are the signs by which you can recognize blue-green algae in dogs.
And those two symptoms mean you’re heading to the vet as soon as you can!
When should I go to the vet and what are the treatment options for blue-green algae in dogs?
You should take your dog to the vet immediately if your body temperature is too high.
Because fever does not just happen and almost always has a serious background. It can also lead to dehydration in the dog, which must be counteracted quickly.
A visit to the vet can also help take place much earlier – directly after the bath in a water body contaminated with blue-green algae.
Treatment
If the poisoning hasn’t had time to do any real damage, gastric lavage and activated charcoal can be used to flush the toxins out of the dog’s body.
If your dog already shows other signs of blue-green algae, these will be treated with medication according to their symptoms.
In the case of shortness of breath, this can be associated with cortisone administration, among other things. In the case of fever, infusions and antipyretics can be used and administered.
Bacterial infections can occur as a result of blue-green algae contact with the skin. These are in turn treated with an antibiotic.
The sooner you take your dog to the vet, the more likely it is that it will get away with a black eye again.
Because if the treatment options mentioned are initiated quickly, the prognosis that a dog will survive blue-green algae poisoning is usually very good.
If your dog has already had blue-green algae poisoning, we hope it has recovered well – and we would be happy if you share your story in the comments.