08/12/2026
💙💚 BLUE-GREEN ALGAE & YOUR DOG: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! 💚💙
With summer in full swing, many of us are heading out to Alberta’s lakes with our four-legged family members. Before your dog launches themselves off the dock with absolutely zero concern for water quality 🐶💦, there is something important to keep in mind.
Blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, can be extremely dangerous to dogs.
Alberta Health Services currently has blue-green algae advisories in place for numerous lakes across the province, including several popular destinations within an easy drive of St. Albert. Before heading out for a lake day, take a minute to check the current AHS Blue-Green Algae Health Advisories.
⚠️ Why are we so concerned about dogs?
Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that can cause severe illness and, in some cases, can be fatal. Dogs may be exposed by:
🐾 Drinking contaminated lake water
🐾 Swimming or playing in an affected area
🐾 Licking contaminated water or algae from their coat after swimming
🐾 Eating algae or material that has washed up along the shoreline
Signs of toxicity can begin within minutes to hours and may include vomiting, excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, tremors or seizures.
👀 What does blue-green algae look like?
It isn't always bright blue or green. A bloom may look like pea soup, spilled paint, surface scum, streaks or grass clippings floating in the water, and it can also appear greenish-brown or reddish. Unfortunately, you cannot tell by looking at a bloom whether it is producing toxins, so AHS recommends treating any suspected bloom with caution.
💧 Two simple habits can prevent most exposures:
✅ Check the AHS advisory list before you leave home.
✅ Bring plenty of fresh drinking water for your dog so they never need to drink from the lake or shoreline.
And remember, boiling contaminated lake water does NOT remove cyanobacterial toxins, so bringing water from home really is the safest option.
If your dog accidentally gets into water that you suspect contains blue-green algae, rinse them thoroughly with clean tap water and don't allow them to lick their coat while you do it.
🚨 If your dog has been swimming in questionable water and then begins vomiting, staggering, drooling heavily, acting weak, having tremors or showing any unusual behaviour, contact a veterinarian RIGHT AWAY.
With blue-green algae toxicity, time matters. Animals can become seriously ill very quickly after exposure.
A little planning can keep lake days where they belong: full of wet dogs, ridiculous shakes, sandy paws and happy memories. 🐕🌊☀️
Stay safe this summer!
💙 Your team at Tudor Glen Veterinary Hospital
