One in three freshwater lakes

is susceptible to an algae outbreak that could poison your dog. 

Dogs often fall prey to such bacterial outbreaks, according to a recent study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their penchant for drinking stagnant water or diving headlong into contaminated ponds makes them susceptible to accidental poisoning. Nearly 100 dogs were killed by cyanobacterial toxins between 2002 and 2012, according to the CDC’s survey of veterinary hospital records, news reports, and state-agency archives dating back to the 1920s. “It’s really important that the CDC is showing an interest,” says toxicology expert Val Beasley, a professor emeritus of comparative biosciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Yet the CDC study offers a mere glimpse into this burgeoning dilemma.

One of our closest lakes is overwhelmed with blue-green algae.  Even twenty years ago this liberal arts major knew that he did not want to eat anything that came out of that body of water or spend any real time in it.  I am proud to discover that the Wisconsin DNR is not shying away from talking about the threat.

The mighty Mississippi, carrying everything to the Gulf of Mexico.

While algae blooms are part of the natural cycle and predate human intervention they have become more frequent with the advent of industrial agriculture but this need not be the case.  The underlying problem is simple, too many organic nutrients finding their way into water ways.  Increased grasslands between field and stream as well as more judicious use of fertilzers are two simple steps that could yield positive results with time.The obstacles include education (farmer's love their lakes and rivers too) and a farm policy that does not reward over-production of corn, a crop that requires heavy fertilization would be two common-sense places to begin. 

Still, until then, I wouldn't eat the fish and while a hunderd dogs a year is small potatoes compared to the number of automobile related dog deaths, I'd make sure that Fido, no matter how much she loves the water, is under your control so it is you who decide when and where she enjoys a summer swim.