I will be journaling about Muppy and the way we spend our remaining days, and hopefully months, or even years. I will emphasize the joyous moments we experience together. I will also share her treatment plan and explain what her caregivers and I are doing to make her remaining life the best it can be. If you care to follow along, my posts will be at https://forcefreepets.com/Muppy-Joy-Cancer/
Summer presents two rare but extremely serious health hazards to our dogs: blue-green algae and toxic mushrooms.
Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally found in most freshwater bodies in the United States and have been reported in Maine. When it rapidly accumulates or “blooms,” it can release neurotoxins and liver toxins that, if ingested, can cause extreme illness and even death. Blue-green algae are most likely to appear in freshwater when the water temperature is above 75°F. The toxins may concentrate near shorelines where animals might drink or swim. Even a small amount of these substances can lead to death in a few hours for a small animal like a dog. Blue-green algae appeared as number 9 on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's top 10 list of deadliest pet toxins in 2024.
Not everything green in the water is blue-green algae. Typically, blue-green algae are bright green or bluish-green in color. Some describe them as looking like neon green pea soup or paint. They may appear as a large scummy or slimy mass on the water's surface or be localized in small spots. The water may smell foul or swampy
Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning include diarrhea, disorientation, excessive drooling, liver failure, panting, respiratory failure, seizures, vomiting, weakness, and death. Symptoms may develop within a few minutes to 12 hours after exposure. If there is any possibility that your dog has been exposed to blue-green algae, please get your dog to a veterinarian immediately. Its life depends on it.
FMI – https://forcefreepets.com/PetSafetyAlert-BlueGreenAlgae/
Toxic Mushrooms
It was a few summers ago, when the weather was incredibly wet and hot, that I noticed numerous fungi growing in my backyard that I had never seen before. Although Muppy had never shown an interest, I knew toxic mushrooms grew in Maine and that many were fatal if ingested, so I started doing some research. None of the fungi I have found in my yard is of the toxic variety.
However, five deadly mushrooms can be found in the state of Maine. They include Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera), Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), Jack-O’-Lantern (Omphalotus illudens), False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta), and Green-Spored Parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites). Those in bold are deadly or potentially deadly.
Monitor your dog closely whenever they are in an area where mushrooms are growing. If you suspect they have ingested a mushroom that you do not know to be safe, seek medical attention immediately and, if possible, bring a sample or a photo of the mushroom.
FMI – https://forcefreepets.com/PetSafetyAlert-Mushrooms/
Don Hanson lives in Bangor, Maine, where he is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) and the founder of ForceFreePets.com, an online educational resource for people with dogs and cats. He is a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB)and a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP). Don is a member of thePet Professional Guild (PPG), where he serves on the Board of Directors and Steering Committee and chairs the Advocacy Committee. He is also a founding director of Pet Advocacy International (PIAI). In addition, Don produces and co-hosts The Woof Meow Showpodcast, available at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts/,the Apple Podcast app, and Don's blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com. The opinions in this post are those of Don Hanson.