Cambridge dog recovering after blue-green algae poisoning

On a hot summer day, nothing beats a refreshing swim.

This is especially true for dogs who love to jump into a river, lake, or swimming pool for the same reasons we do. It’s fun and a great way to cool down.

But for one Cambridge dog, what started off as a fun, leisurely swim, ended with a deadly exposure to blue-green algae and a trip to the local veterinarian.

“We live on a farm and our neighbours have a pond, not far from Hespeler. My two dogs love to go for a swim next door in the pond,” said Karen Harnack-O’Connor.

Two weeks ago, both dogs ran off to cool themselves on a hot day.

“They had a swim and when they came back, I brought them inside. They were soaked. So, I put them in their crates to dry off,” Harnack-O’Connor said.

Within two minutes, two-year-old Coda, a Shepherd Lab, began to gag.  

“He threw up. It was quite a lot of liquid. Right away, I noticed the swampy smell. Then he vomited again. It was just getting worse. Then he started shaking. The tremors, that was the scariest part,” Harnack-O’Connor said.

“I took him outside. I thought that maybe it was the initial shock from vomiting that forcibly. That’s when I decided to call the vet.”

Blue-green algae are toxic and deadly when consumed in high concentrations. This bacterium is often found in non-flowing freshwater and stable, slow-moving, or stagnant water during hot weather.

“While on the phone with the vet, within about four-five minutes, Coda progressively got worse. He couldn’t stand up properly, his gait was off, and he just did not look well,” Harnack-O’Connor said.  

“He’s usually very active and very hyper especially when we try to go in the car. He’s the first one in there. But he had no interest. I quickly hosed him down before we headed to see the vet.”

Harnack-O’Connor said she didn’t realize how serious things were for Coda.

“But I think that initial hose off helped because at the vet, they checked him over and then we brought him outside and hosed him down again,” she said.  

“Right away, the vet suspected blue-green algae poisoning. When on their skin or ingested, washing it off is the first step in making sure that it is not being ingested or being absorbed into the body.”

When Coda went into the treatment room, he received treatment for his tremors.

“They wanted to start an IV, but he was so scared.  He was muzzled and not happy about that. He started drooling and the tremors continued,” Harnack-O’Connor said.  

“I had to ask the hard questions, not knowing if he was going to pull through. So, because of how scared he was, and financially, we decided to bring him home and keep him comfortable. And in the event that he worsens, we would take him back and consider euthanization, which was not a conversation I wanted to have. He’s my baby.”

Since then, Coda is improving.

“He is getting better. After a couple days, he was still lethargic but he was wagging his tail. And I thought, ok, we are over the hump,” Harnack-O’Connor said.

"And then he was able to stand. Day by day, he was getting better. His blood was checked, and it came back normal. The vet was so amazed at how quickly he recovered."

Harnack-O’Connor also worried about her other dog.

“I bathed her too, and thankfully, she was ok. My six-year-old son and baby girl were with me when all of this happened. My son was so concerned. It was a lot for him,” she said.  

“The vet had said to avoid areas that are visibly covered with algae. If dogs do go for a swim, hose them down right away, and follow with a really good scrub down.”

In a statement, Public Health urges anyone who sees an algal bloom, should avoid drinking, swimming, or bathing in the water and to keep pets out of the water.

To keep the community safe from water-related health risks such as E. coli bacteria and blue-green algae, Public Health works with the Grand River Conservation authority who operate and monitor the two public beaches in Waterloo Region including Shades Mills and Laurel Creek for those risks to human and animal health.

“If you or your pet show symptoms that may be related to blue-green algae, seek medical or veterinarian attention right away,” Public Health stated in an email to CambridgeToday.

According to Ontario.ca, some tips to avoid blue-green algae poisoning include, keeping dogs leashed around bodies of water, especially if the water appears dirty or foamy on the surface of the water, and don’t allow dogs to drink out of ponds and lakes.

Harmful algae blooms, which can be blue, vibrant green, brown or red, are sometimes mistaken for paint floating on the water. Be aware that toxins aren’t always visible.

Toxic algae often produce a nauseating smell, yet animals may be attracted to it and will want a taste.

Symptoms usually arise anywhere from 15 minutes to several days after exposure and may include, diarrhea or vomiting, drooling, neurologic signs such as weakness, disorientation, collapse, seizures and breathing difficulties.

If any of these signs occur, contact a vet immediately. If caught early enough, the vet may be able to flush out the toxins before a dog becomes completely affected.

“It’s just about being aware. If your dog starts to show any signs, immediately get them to the vet,” Harnack-O’Connor said.

“It was scary. The first thing I thought when we brought him home was that I have to warn others. I don’t want anyone to have to go through this. It was terrifying.”  

For more information about blue-green algae, visit the provincial website:  Blue-green algae | ontario.ca.