Toxic amounts of blue-green algae in Buffalo Pound Lake could be fatal for dogs

Toxic amounts of blue-green algae have been found in Buffalo Pound Lake, prompting a swimming advisory for both humans and dogs.

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is expected to be busy this long weekend, but it could be a much different story at the beach as the lake is off limits.

Dr. Mark Vooght, with the Five Hills Health Region, said a toxic amount of the algae is expected to be present in Buffalo Pound Lake and it could be present until mid-August or even longer.

“Going and playing on the beach is fine, but stay out of the water at this point-in-time,”  Vooght said.

Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) live in water and produce their own food through photosynthesis. The algae grow in shallow, slow moving water and, encouraged by hot and sunny weather, form a natural bloom at least once a year.

Health Canada regulates that anything above 10 micrograms-per-litre of toxin in the water, requires extra testing. Buffalo Pound Lake registered just above 22 micrograms-per-litre, exactly a week ago.
A swimming advisory has been issued due to possible skin irritations. Vooght say’s this algae is not fatal to humans, but there is a slight chance that it could cause vomiting and diarrhea.

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“You’d have to ingest very large quantities to become ill.”

But even small amounts of the algae could be fatal for dogs or cattle within a 15-minute period.

Veterinarian Dr. Natalie Preikschat, with the Bellamy Harrison Animal Hospital in Moose Jaw, says dogs need to be kept away from Buffalo Pound Lake until the advisory is lifted.

Preikschat said ingesting even a little bit of algae could kill dogs or cattle, first affecting their brain, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Vooght says although present in the entire body of water, the wind often pushes large amounts of the algae to the shoreline. Preikschat warned the edge of the water is the area where most animals drink from, causing a concentrated amount to stream through their system quickly.

She said that’s why it’s important to keep a close eye on both the water and your dog.