The Oregon Health Authority will now issue warnings about Oregon lakes and rivers after a dog falls ill or dies possibly from having been exposed to toxic algae in them.
The warnings are designed to alert other dog owners to the possible dangers of toxic algae while authorities await further testing, which can take up to two weeks to confirm certain types of cyanobacteria.
“Each year, we receive reports about dog illnesses or deaths linked to a water body that may be affected by cyanobacteria, but the deaths are often unexplained, or the cause of the death isn’t immediately known,” said Linda Novitski, a recreational waters specialist in the health authority’s division for environmental public health. “These pre-emptive warnings will help us immediately take steps to inform the public about the possible presence of cyanobacteria in a water body.”
Oregon authorities actively monitor only a small number of rivers and lakes for blooms and toxins, officials said. So they urge people to know the signs of harmful algae blooms, which can be identified as greenish clouds in the water or as mats of green algae floating on the water’s surface, so they can report concerns to the state.
Not all blooms are harmful. But both humans and animals are at risk of falling ill after exposure to toxic ones, and small children and dogs are especially vulnerable.
Oregon experiences algae blooms consistently from May through September and issued 19 health advisories last year.
Dogs are more likely to get sick or die from toxic blooms since they may drink the water or lick mats on their paws and fur.
Humans who become ill may experience vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting.
A dog that exhibits those same symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible, health authorities warned.
Alerts can be found online on the cyanobacteria advisory board’s website. The site is updated regularly.
— Quinton Prudhomme is a reporter on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach him at 503-221-8002 or qprudhomme@oregonian.com.
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