INCREASINGLY, PETS, LIVESTOCK, AND WILDLIFE ARE MORE AT RISK FROM EXPOSURE TO ALGAL BLOOMS
But this can be avoided.

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Having a plan to address algal blooms is the best way to protect pets, livestock, fish, wildlife, and humans. The “do nothing” solution is not an option and avoiding the water is a poor option.

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Dr. John H. Rodgers, Director of the Ecotoxicology Program at Clemson University, and a pioneer in the study of harmful algal blooms. 

Cyanobacteria and Health Effects

Many harmful algal blooms are produced by cyanobacteria (aka “blue-green algae”), a photosynthetic bacteria that can produce toxins.
Cyanobacteria can produce liver toxins, neurotoxins, and endotoxins. Fresh water diatoms, golden algae and some brown algae also produce toxins. Symptoms in humans and animals include muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis, cardiac or respiratory difficulty, and liver failure. Death for fish, wildlife or animals can occur within hours or days.

Threats to Pets and Livestock

Drinking from ponds showing signs of a harmful algal bloom may prove fatal to pets, horses and livestock. Dr. Rodgers investigated an Angus cattle kill in North Georgia.  Dr. Rodgers reports that the cattle were drinking from a farm pond and died from microcystins that were in the water.
Unfortunately, cattle and dogs willingly drink water affected by harmful algal blooms and even eat algae mats. Dogs are also put at risk when exposed to cyanobacteria after licking their fur after swimming in the water.

Toxic Algae Threats Across the Country

Cyanobacteria toxins killed 32 head of cattle in Lake County, Oregon in June 2017.

Capital Press, Jul 12, 2017

In North Carolina, three dogs died within hours of swimming in a pond with a blue-green algae bloom.

CNN, August 12, 2019

In 2018, seven dogs became ill from toxic algae in Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

Fox 13, Sept 14 2018
What to do in case of exposure...

Get away from the water quickly.
Rinse yourself and your pets off with clean water.
Get medical help as soon as possible.

TOXIN SYMPTOMS, 
ILLNESS REPORTING, 
AND MORE HEALTH INFO

When in doubt,
​keep pets out.

Threats to Fish and Wildlife

Fish can also be susceptible to harmful algal blooms, especially in aquaculture. Dr. Rodgers noted an aquaculture farmer in Mississippi who lost one million fish in a day due to a harmful algal bloom. The associated cost for the farmer was $1 million.
Cyanotoxins can even affect marine mammals. Dr. Melissa Miller of California’s Department of Fish and Game was lead author of a paper documenting the death of 21 southern sea otters. Dr. Miller reported that the otters died of microcystin poisoning after eating shellfish with concentrated levels of the toxin. A freshwater lake a mile inland was affected by a blue-green algal bloom, and tributaries carried cyanobacteria to Monterey Bay.

Research is being done to understand the growth correlation of avian vacuolar myolinopathy (AVM), a deadly brain disease on invasive plants like Hydrilla.

Dr. Wilde AVM Research, Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, University of Georgia 

Arizona's Tempe Town Lake experienced a fish kill in the thousands after an outbreak of golden algae.

azcentral, Feb 5, 2018

Southwest Florida was massively impacted by a bloom that affected marine life - like those protected by the Endangered Species Act, the Florida manatee.

Fox 13, Sept 14 2018

Water Managers Must Act Quickly


When a problem appears, early detection and rapid response are critical.
​Water resource managers, including farmers and city officials, must be observant.
​With early intervention and actively managing the situation, a potential algal bloom can be prevented altogether.
Prevent Harmful Algae Blooms with a Registered Dye
Aquashade® Aquatic Plant Growth Control is EPA registered to control algae under water.


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Dead algae don’t produce toxins.

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Dr. John H. Rodgers, Director of the Ecotoxicology Program at Clemson University, and a pioneer in the study of harmful algal blooms. 

ACT QUICKLY

A successful short-term response uses algaecides to kill the algae. Copper-based formulations such as Cutrine ® Ultra or Algimycin® Algaecides have been proven to kill algae and cyanobacteria by interfering with enzyme production. Non-copper formulations like Phycomycin® SCP Algaecide are oxidizers, and quickly get to work, destroying the cell walls. A great way to determine which product to use is The Algal Challenge Test, which looks at the most effective algaecide to control algal concentration, while using the least amount, a prescriptive water management approach.
  • ​Algimycin® PWF Algaecide controls algae in drinking water.
  • Broad spectrum control of filamentous and planktonic algae.
  • Cutrine® Ultra Algaecide, for ‘hard to control’ algae.
  • Phycomycin® SCP Algaecide and Oxidizer controls cyanobacteria. 

KEEP MONITORING
AND TREAT EARLY

​Waters that are prone to harmful algal blooms require proactive management that includes post-treatment monitoring and follow-up treatments.

A diligent lake and pond management program will help reduce the risk of future harmful algal blooms affecting pets and livestock.