Stagnant water can be life threatening to your pet

The warm weather provides a great time to get outside with our furry friends! But with the beautiful temperature also comes some dangers. Stagnant water is one of them!  

Giardia is a parasite that can live in water, and can cause diarrhea and cramping in animals. Some animals have this parasite, and don’t have any signs, but they can pass it on to people, especially children and immunocompromised people.  

Leptospirosis is a serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial disease that can affect many mammals (including humans). This bacteria can thrive in water and there is the potential that animals can become infected through damaged, broken or thin skin when swimming and playing in contaminated water. Clinical signs can vary, but may include fever, lethargy, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, liver and kidney damage.  

Blue-green algae, specifically, can endanger the life of your animal. This algae forms on or near bodies of water during warm weather months. It can be found in ponds and lakes, fresh water, backyard fountains, or even on rocks.  

Your dog can be affected if they drink from or swim in contaminated sources.  

Signs of blue-green algae toxicity in stagnant water include:  

• Seizures  
• Panting  
• Excessive drooling  
• Respiratory failure  
• Diarrhea  
• Disorientation  
• Vomiting  
• Liver failure  
• Death  

Don’t allow your animals to drink from stagnant ponds, lakes or other bodies of water that have bluish-green scum on the surface or around the edges.  

The cells of the blue-green algae can also latch onto your furry friend’s fur, which can be ingested when they clean themselves. This is why it’s important to wash your dog after they have been in contact with any body of water.  

For more information on blue-green algae, visit ASPCA’s blog. 

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