Playing in water is a favorite activity for many dogs, but owners should be careful letting their dogs into still or slow-moving water with algae blooms, say veterinarians.
Blue-green algae is known by the scientific name cyanobacteria, and more commonly as "pond scum." While it is often blue-green in color, it comes in a variety of shades, including blue, green, reddish-purple, or brown. Blue-green algae thrives in relatively still waters: in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. Warm water temperatures and run-off that includes phosphorus or nitrogen create the perfect environment for it to thrive. And unlike other types of algae, it...
