07/25/2026
PSA: Keep your dog away from blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria — or blue-green algae — can cause liver failure in your pet. As temperatures rise, algae blooms become more common. The algae film often concentrates along shorelines where animals may drink or swim, but can occur in any amount or type of water, including oceans, rivers, water puddles, water troughs, and water buckets. Symptoms come on very fast and are usually vomiting and lethargy. Clinical signs can occur within minutes to a few hours of exposure. Some animals may collapse and die with no other noticeable signs.
Additional symptoms include:
Muscle rigidity
Seizures
Panting
Excessive drooling
Respiratory failure
Disorientation
Take precautions before allowing your pet to jump into a body of water. Have fresh water on hand when he gets thirsty to avoid drinking from stagnant ponds or lakes. And be sure to rinse your pet with clean water after he goes for a swim; the algae can stick to his fur and later be ingested if he licks himself. If you think your pet has ingested cyanobacteria, it’s crucial to seek immediate veterinary care in such situations, as only a professional can provide your pet with the necessary treatment and support. You can contact our 24/7 emergency departments at MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Centers in Boston and Waltham at 617-522-7282. Learn more about keeping your pets safe this summer: mspca.org/advocacy-issues/summer-safety-for-pets/
**Diego (our best boy model in this pic) is happy and healthy!! His mom is very careful to research algal blooms before taking him to any bodies of water!!
