Toxic Algae That Killed Dogs Found In New York Lakes

A North Carolina woman whose three dogs died from swimming in a pond with the same kind of toxic algae that is being tracked across New York is on a mission to to warn pet owners and parents of the dangers. She and her friends have started a GoFundMe campaign.

Over the last few weeks, reports of dogs dying due to blue-green algae toxicity have been reported in several states. Health officials in states including Illinois and New York are warning residents online.

Toxic algaes threaten lakes across all of New York. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has an interactive map showing all reported hazardous algae blooms in 2019.

Blue-green algae usually multiply and bloom when the water is warm, stagnant and filled with nutrients from sources like septic tank overflows or fertilizer runoff, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Melissa Martin took her dogs to swim in a pond near her North Carolina home. They began having seizures within hours after getting home and died despite veterinary care.

She and her friends are now on a mission to put signs at every body of water that can have this deadly bacteria, and they have started a GoFundMe page to do it.

"We will make sure every standing body of water has a warning sign," she said on Facebook.

"Every dog owner needs to know this information," they said on the GoFundMe page. They set a low goal and have so far raised $3,092.

Devastating reports of dogs dying just hours after swimming in water containing the toxic algae have surfaced in several states. On Saturday, Georgia resident Morgan Fleming took to Facebook to warn other dog owners after she and her husband took their border collie, Arya, to swim in a nearby pond to beat the summer heat.

"About 30 minutes later on the drive home, we noticed her making weird noises and she threw up and pooped in the car," Fleming wrote in a post that has since been shared thousands of times (Warning: post contains photos some may find disturbing). "We called our vet on the drive and they suggested we take her in. By this point our girl couldn't even stand... They told us she was in critical condition so we took her to the ER. By the time we got there, she was brain dead."

Several dogs have also reportedly died after swimming in an Austin, Texas lake believed to have been contaminated with toxic blue-green algae.

The New York DEC says it is best to avoid swimming, boating, otherwise recreating in, or drinking water with an algae bloom. Even large blooms are not necessarily harmful. Blooms of algal species that can produce toxins are referred to as harmful algal blooms (HABs).

HABs are made up of blooms of cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae). Individual algal cells cannot be seen with the unaided eye, however, under certain conditions they can cluster together and form large, visible colonies called blooms.

HABs usually occur in "nutrient-rich" waters, particularly during hot, calm weather. Septic systems are a frequent cause at lakes where there are densely populated communities. Fertilizer run-off from lawn care or agriculture is another.

DEC officials say:

• People, pets and livestock should avoid contact with any floating mats, scums, or discolored water. Colors can include shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red.
• Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, whether or not algae blooms are present. In addition to toxins, untreated surface water may contain bacteria, parasites, or viruses that could cause illness if consumed.
• People not on public water supplies should not drink surface water during an algal bloom, even if it is treated, because in-home treatments such as boiling, disinfecting water with chlorine or ultraviolet (UV), and water filtration units do not protect people from HABs toxins.
• If you suspect that you have seen a HAB, please report the HAB to DEC. Fill out and submit a Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form (leaves DEC website). If possible, attach digital photos (close-up and landscape to show extent and location) of the suspected HAB in the web form. Email HABsInfo@dec.ny.gov if you are not able to complete the form.
• Please report any health symptoms to NYS Health Department at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov and your local health department (leaves DEC website).

If contact occurs:

Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae.

• Stop using water and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions, or breathing difficulties occur after drinking or having contact with blooms or untreated surface water.

GoFundMe is a Patch partner.

SEE:

• County Exec, Candidate Seek EPA Help With Toxic Algae In Putnam
• State Addressing Toxic Algae In Local Lakes
• Toxic Algae Affects 7 Beaches In Putnam County
• Algae Fatal To Dogs Found In Illinois: Health Officials