Harmful Plant Found In New York Could Paralyze Your Pets

I don't know about your dog but it is almost impossible to keep ours out of the water. He will swim and retrieve sticks endlessly. No matter how much your dog loves the lakes, ponds and streams, if you see a blue-green algae STAY AWAY! This water could be toxic for your pets and you.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), exposure to contaminated water could cause your pets to experience stumbling, seizures, convulsions and paralysis. Here's what to look for.

Get our free mobile app

The DEC is warning residents to look for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) in any freshwater spots around New York. Be aware of that blue-green film in the water as well as blooms that are visible on the surface. Drinking these waters or simply coming in contact could be harmful to you and your pets.

To make matters a bit more complicated, there are also non-harmful algal blooms and it is difficult to know the difference. In this case it is suggested that it's best to avoid swimming, boating or drinking water with any bloom.

Getty Images

Know it, avoid it, report it. This is what the DEC is suggesting to individuals. Know what you are looking for, avoid the HABs and report what you have found. If you suspect that you have seen a HAB, please report the HAB to DEC. Make your report HERE.

DO NOT let children or pets wade, drink the water, or walk in beach debris if you suspect an algae bloom is present. If your pet has been exposed look for excessive salivation or drooling, disorientation, inactivity, or depression, elevated heart rate and difficulty breathing.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

WOOF: These are the most popular dog breeds in America

Stacker highlights the 100 most popular dog breeds in America based on data released March 15, 2023 from the American Kennel Club.

8 Beaches To Take Your Dog This Summer

There are so many beaches around Western New York, and plenty of these areas love dogs! Based on your votes, these are the best beaches to take your dog this summer.