These Maine Lakes, Ponds Could Be Toxic For Your Dog
There are Maine ponds, lakes and other bodies of water that have a high risk of a toxic component that could be really bad for your dog.
American Kennel Club reports one veterinarian out of Georgia putting out information on nearby algae bloom incidents and the effects on dogs in the area, in particular the toxicity to dogs if ingested:
“Please be aware of the current bloom of blue-green algae in our area. Blooms of blue-green algae can be toxic to canines and most often fatal. If you feel your pet has been in contact with blue-green algae please rinse with freshwater and seek veterinary help immediately,” the email reads.
The algae, Cyanobacteria, or more commonly called Blue-Green Algae, is actually a bacteria. You can't typically see it but, once it starts clumping together, takes the appearance of what looks to be algae.
Blue-Green Algae is often found in still waters during the summer season and is exacerbated by little rainfall.
If ingested in high concentrations, it can be toxic and really harmful to you and your dog.
Where dogs have a tendency to play in water and a tendency to swallow water, they are more at risk for absorbing a higher concentration of the algae/bacteria.
People have reported seeing changes in their dogs a half hour after playing in water that included vomiting and pooping in their pets. Symptoms to look out for in your dog, according to the American Kennel Club, include diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, neurological issues like weakness, disorientation or confusion, seizures and difficulty breathing.
It is advised that you contact your vet as soon as possible if you suspect poisoning.
You can avoid your dog coming across this particular bacteria, which is prevalent here in the State of Maine by avoiding going to ponds and other bodies of water that are high risk for this bacteria.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has a Bloom Risk Map that you can check out to see what bodies of water in your area have a history of this bacteria, what risk they pose and what level of risk they pose of contamination.
Here's a list of Maine bodies of water to avoid that are high risk for blue-green algae/Cyanobacteria which could fatally harm your dog: