Harmful Algae Blooms Veterinary Hospital South Philadelphia

Harmful Algae Blooms are caused by an overgrowth of naturally occurring cyanobacteria that live in fresh, salt or brackish water. These overgrowth events or algal blooms tend to occur when the water is warm, stagnant and full nutrients such as fertilizer, a farm runoff or storm drain discharge. There are no known antidotes to cyanotoxins. The toxins cannot be eliminated by boiling or filtering contaminated water. If you think that your pet has been swimming in contaminated water during an algal bloom, immediately bath them with clean water. Even licking or grooming themselves after bathing in contaminated water can cause serious illness.