One of the things we enjoy the most about being on the road is the opportunity to have our dog Kenai at our side everyday. She seems to enjoy this life as much as we do anticipating new places and things to see. It’s fun to watch her curiosity and excitement over new stuff, but we have to be cautious with a dog too. These beautiful environments come with hidden dangers and it is up to us to keep her safe. Most recently we found some boondocking on a serene little lake in southwest North Dakota. Although the water looked inviting, beneath the surface lurked a potentially deadly hazard.
Being part hound but mostly Labrador Kenai is a sweet natured loyal dog who loves to hike, and play fetch, but more than anything she loves to swim. Whenever we take a hike near a water source Kenai is the first to find it. We usually come over the hill to find her up to her belly in the water with her tail wagging and her head cocked as if to say “Where have you been? Do you see this? WATER!!” She will play in water to the point of exhaustion and we have to force her to stop, she is that fanatical.
Our visit to North Dakota has been a hot and sticky one. The days have been filled with scorching sun and high humidity and the nights become a breeze-less sauna. Kenai is even refusing to crawl up onto the bed for our morning snuggle. We are all struggling. With no air conditioning we look for any way we can to stay cool. So when we found this free boondocking site right at the waters edge we were all excited for the opportunity to cool off.
Like clockwork we get to the lake and Kenai heads straight to the water. The surface is calm with clear reflections of the reeds and clouds overhead. Kenai barks “Hey lets play!” and like a dutiful master I grab a stick and toss it toward the center of the lake. Kenai bounds through the shallows until her feet no longer reach then aims her nose in the direction of the stick before snatching it with her mouth. We do this a few times before I walk farther down the shore and Kenai comes chasing after me. When I reach the boat launch I see the sign. Possibility of blue green algae bloom, do not ingest water, rinse with fresh water after swimming. Oh No.
What is Blue Green Algae and How do I Know if the Water is Contaminated? Had Kenai been exposed? How was I to know? It was time to educate myself and here is what you should know.
Blue Green Algae is actually a cyanobacteria that is normally present in many lakes but will thrive when the temperatures get warm. With runoff from farm and lawn fertilizer these nutrients can create the perfect environment for “blooms.” The toxins that are produced by these blooms are poisonous to us and our pets. It is important to be aware about this sickly or even deadly bacteria.
Blue green algae blooms are happening more frequently all around America and there are signs that you can look for to protect you and your pet. First, had I been aware, I would have seen that there were informational signs right at the boat launch and read them. Plain as day there was a warning of possible algae blooms, but it was a gentleman in an oil truck who saw us by the lake who warned us that it had just been reported that the lake had tested positive for the presence of toxins in the water.
Blue Green Algae blooms look like spilled green paint or split pea soup. If the water is a thick green soup like consistency, it is most likely positive for blue green algae toxins, otherwise you may see a spattering of bright green growth on the lakes surface. When wind blows these mats together they gather at the lake edges where animals and people have access to them. It’s best to not swim if there is a presence of paint or soup like water. Stay away from the scum. If you have been exposed then rinse off with fresh water and if you do show signs of illness then notify your doctor or veterinarian right away.
Signs of Toxic Exposure
Blue Green Algae produces a few types of toxins and depending on which kind you or your pet have been exposed to will produce different symptoms. Most importantly to know is that they can either damage the liver or respiratory system. Signs of liver damage include diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the stool or stool that looks like black tar, and weakness. Microsystins are a fast acting toxin so quick treatment is necessary. The Anatoxins produced by the algae are a neurotoxin meaning that they can attack your nervous system. Your pet may drool excessively, have muscle tremors or seizures, and have difficulty breathing. Again it is potentially fatal and you should contact a doctor immediately.
Lucky for us Kenai swam in clear water and showed no signs of illness. She is bummed to only stare at the water and not swim in it but it is a small sacrifice to make in order to keep her safe. We did take a few precautions upon our discovery and washed her down with fresh water as well as gave her an activated charcoal capsule to hopefully absorb any toxins that she may have ingested. Being prepared ahead of time however is always the best remedy.
Other than observing the lake scum there is another way to know for sure whether you are visiting a lake that has bloomed. Get online and check the Department of Health website for the state that you are visiting. Search for HAB’s (Harmful Algal Blooms) and this should lead you to the most recent report on affected lakes. Another place to look is in the local news. Here in North Dakota the Bismark Tribune reported algae affected lakes just two days prior to our arrival. Had I done a quick precheck of area lakes then we would have avoided this spot all together.
Part of living life full time on the road is being exposed to places and things that we never even knew existed. Everyday we encounter new weather, terrain, flora, and fauna. As dog lovers we want to do everything we can to make this a safe and fun journey for us all. Reptiles, bacteria, and even something as innocent looking as a doe can be deadly to our four legged friends. We can’t let fear keep us from doing what we love but we do need to be cautious. So check ahead, be aware, but most of all have fun.