The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is urging people headed to lakes the next few weeks to make sure their dogs don’t eat blue-green algae.
Director of Information Services Ron Kaufman says blue-green algae is a significant health concern.
Signs of illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, convulsions, difficulty breathing and general weakness.
People can also get ill, either by direct contact, eating it or even inhaling the toxins. Symptoms for humans include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat or headache.
If you or your dog come in contact with algae, rinse the contact area with clean, fresh water, and if you or your dog show signs of illness, call your doctor or veterinarian as soon as possible.
Both Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have several tips to help prevent algae poisoning:
*Carry potable water for you and your dog
*Train your dog to come to you for a drink
*Rinse off your dog with potable water as soon as possible if it swims through an algae bloom or walks through dried algae
*Do not let dogs eat dried algae. Also, do not let your dogs lick its paws if it walks through dried algae
Keep in mind waterfowl in algae-affected water may also have toxic cells in their feathers.
Several lakes and rivers are currently in either an algae watch or warning at last word. Carbondale West Lake, Overbrook City Lake, Melvern Outlet Pond and Melvern Outlet Swim Pond have been in under public health warnings for several weeks now. Meanwhile, the Cottonwood River south of Emporia in Lyon County, Pomona Lake in Osage County and Lake Wabaunsee in Wabaunsee County are all in algae watches as part of the latest update.
For more information, call 855-HAB-LAKE.
