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Algae, Rabies, Dogs Health

Summer problems predicted! Keep your dogs away from stagnant ponds, lake shores or water features in your yard.

TheDogPress Staff

Updated May 20, 2026 | Aug 2019

Algae Warning May 2026 Be especially aware of deadly cyanobacteria algae which the Environmental Protection Agency warns of again this year. When children or dogs (which sniff everything) inhale this algae, they can be adversely affected.

Florida Health of Palm Beach warned last year that "Lake Okeechobee is still experiencing persistent, seasonally recurring blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms, often covering significant portions of the 730-square-mile lake."

Driven by nutrient-rich runoff, the fuzzy algae blooms produce toxins that are harmful to human health, pets, and wildlife. In 2023 WGNTV in Florida warned “Harmful algal blooms typically begin popping up on Lake Okeechobee in spring or early summer, but testing by Florida DEP detected an extra-early ...” and we may hear such warnings again due to the mild winter and early blooming.

Keep your dogs away from stagnant ponds and lake shores and if you have a water feature in your yard make sure kept fresh and or algae tested.

In the summer of 2019 there were deadly cyanobacteria algae outbreaks reported in GA, NC, TX and DE.  While all states can be susceptible to this algae, it was noted in 2024 that states reporting an issue had more than doubled and included Florida, Ohio, Iowa, California, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Washington, Kansas, and Wisconsin.

If the cyanobacteria algae continues to replicate in any body of “still water” this could be a bad summer... If you note foam or scum on the water, stay dry and do not allow your dog to enter or drink the water.

“The issue got previous national attention when North Carolina's Melissa Martin posted on Facebook that all three of her dogs died after swimming in a Wilmington pond. One began to seizure in 15 minutes, and the others soon after…”

A trusted veterinary site described the blue-green algae as “...particularly deadly to dogs because they drink from stagnant shorelines and swallow large amounts of water when swimming or playing in lakes and ponds.”

So what are symptoms of this hard-to-pronounce Cyanobacteria that can cause fatal seizures? Early signs may include headaches, nausea, fever, sore throat, dizziness, stomach cramps, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle aches, mouth ulcers, and blistering of the lips. ~ Fox News, CNN August 2019

Don't forget to thank the parks and beaches that allow our "best friends" to explore and enjoy this summer!

Another Risk Is "Adopting Rabies."

In May of 2019 the CDC issued a rabies warning on dogs entering the U.S. from Egypt and suspended importation from that country. “In 2023 Rabies, one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases, accounts for an estimated 59,000 human deaths globally each year... which equates to one human death every 9 minutes. The virus can infect any mammal, and once clinical signs appear, the disease is usually fatal.” ~ Federal Register.

In 2024 the CDC updated their rules when importing dogs which are designed to curb the use of fraudulent documentation and ensure all animals are properly vaccinated. All importers from high risk countries and imports from rabies-free or low risk must meet the following criteria; all dogs entering the U.S. must have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, the dog must be at least six months old, micro-chipped, and appear healthy. High risk countries will have to provide additional documents while rabies-free and low risk won't need additional documents.

We are more careful and thankfully, good people are saving American dogs instead of seeking fame from importing dogs from other countries. They must have noted that The Wall Street Journal reported 15 people had to be treated for rabies after being bitten by an (imported) puppy that was infected.

Indeed, there is significant risk in adopting a dog of unknown health and background. Reality is that stray dogs, impounded or rescue dogs, are more likely to be infected with dangerous diseases so insist on veterinary quarantine and their medical records or buy from a reputable dog breeder.

As much as we love all animals, your health and that of your family must take precedence. Rescuing dogs and other animals has become "the thing to do" and that is a good thing but TheDogPress.com staff advises caution.

Beware Of Rabid Squirrels???

Reports of rabies-infected squirrels in NYC’s Central Park were exaggerated in 2019 but caution and common sense go together. (Please note that squirrels can exhibit aggressive behavior which may lead to getting bit and is likely linked to humans feeding them rather than rabies.) Many years ago various newspapers screamed warnings of rabid squirrels attacking people but according to the NY Post, ABC, and the Wall Street Journal they were totally false.

NYC officials stated “that no squirrel has tested positive for rabies since the city began surveillance and testing the animals in 1992…” ~ WSJ

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