Oswego, New York. To help dog owners protect their pets from toxic algal blooms, New York Sea Grant has published a newly-revised "Protect Your Dog from Harmful Algae" brochure. The publication, freely available at nyseagrant.info/dogsandhabsbrochure, includes signs of harmful algae that can occur in waters from small puddles to large lakes, indications of harmful algal blooms (HAB) poisoning in your pet, tips for reducing the risk of exposure, pet emergency hotline contacts in New York state, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of State websites for reporting waters that may have a harmful algal bloom.

Water with the potential for HABs may appear green, blue-green, brown, or red with a spilled paint pattern as well as have HAB-infected scum or mats of debris floating on the water or found along the shoreline.

"You cannot tell if a bloom is toxic by looking, but there are signs to watch for on the water as well as potentially impacted debris on shore. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of harmful algae poisoning in dogs can help pet owners act quickly to seek immediate veterinary help," says New York Sea Grant Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Health Specialist Stacy Furgal.

Furgal updated the informational brochure with assistance from Cornell University Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center Extension Veterinarian Aly Cohen, D.V.M.

Dr. Cohen notes, "The harmful form of algal blooms is caused by overgrowth of cyanobacteria, often called blue-green algae, that produces toxins harmful to people, pets, waterfowl, and livestock. Water sample testing is required to confirm that harmful algae is present. This outreach by New York Sea Grant helps educate the public about the risk of HABs to dogs."

Pets and livestock can develop HABs poisoning by ingestion of HABs-infected water or shoreline debris and by grooming their fur and paws after being in water impacted by HABs. Symptoms of harmful algae poisoning in your dog may appear immediately or several hours after exposure.

New York Sea Grant is a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York and one of 34 university-based programs providing coastal communities with research and outreach to promote better understanding, conservation, and use of America's coastal resources.