ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Summer is in full swing and many pet owners will be heading to the water to keep themselves, and their four-legged friends, cool. But health officials say warmer water brings the potential for harmful, and sometimes deadly, toxins. 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) recently shared safety tips for aquatic activities during the summertime. In the announcement, the department warned of algal blooms in bodies of water. These blooms normally look like thick, green, blue-green or red scums on the water’s surface or along the shoreline.

According to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), algae are a natural occurrence in all bodies of water, but certain environmental conditions — such as elevated temperatures, increased sunlight and low or no water flow — can cause rapid algal cell growth, leading to algal blooms. Despite some rain in Western North Carolina, drought conditions have continued to worsen, according to the latest assessment from the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council.

Not all blooms are harmful, but the state department says, “Blooms that can cause negative impacts to people, animals and the environment are called harmful algal blooms (HABs). You cannot tell by looking at a bloom whether it is harmful or not.” To report an algal bloom, contact the nearest DEQ regional office or submit a report online.

According to the state’s Fish Kill & Algal Bloom Report Dashboard, there have been around 10 recent reports of algal blooms in the Western North Carolina region.

Dr. Kristina Hubbard, chief of staff at West Asheville Family Vet, told 828newsNOW it’s best to avoid any areas of water that look suspicious while out and about with your pets. And if your pet does come into contact with any water that may look suspicious, it’s best to intervene quickly.

Some of the symptoms pets can show after exposure to a toxic algal bloom include vomiting, diarrhea and pale gums.

“We can see seizures from it, organ death,” Hubbard warned.

Although West Asheville Family Vet hasn’t treated any specific cases as such, Hubbard said it’s good for all pet owners to understand the dangers and be cautious, especially during the summertime when water warms up and stays still.

“This is kind of prime time for avoiding stagnant waters, even on normal hikes,” she said.

Dr. Hubbard advised pet owners to always bring their own water, ensuring their pets don’t pick up anything dangerous from bodies of water.

Asheville has experienced these algae blooms in the past. In 2019, an algal bloom was observed at Beaver Lake, prompting warnings from area vet clinics like the Animal Hospital of North Asheville. If untreated, coming into contact with these potentially toxic blooms can turn deadly. 

State officials suggest the following steps to safeguard against algal blooms:

  • Keep children and pets away from water that appears bright green, blue, discolored or scummy.
  • Do not handle or touch large mats of algae.
  • Avoid handling, cooking, or eating dead fish that may be present.
  • If you come into contact with an algal bloom, wash thoroughly.
  • Use clean water to rinse off pets that may have come into contact with an algal bloom.
  • If your child appears ill after being in waters containing an algal bloom, seek medical care immediately.
  • If your pet appears to stumble, stagger, or collapse after being in a pond, lake, or river, seek veterinary care immediately.

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