Hot Weather Increases Risk of Cyanobacterial Poisoning to Livestock

 

High temperatures promote the growth of blue-green algae, which can produce harmful toxins.

 

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to livestock, wildlife and people.

 

The North Dakota Department of Health has posted blue-green algae advisories for four lakes: Camels Hump Dam in Golden Valley County, Green Lake in McIntosh County, Long Lake in Burleigh County and Sweetbriar Lake in Morton County.

 

In addition, several water samples associated with the death of cattle and other animals that were submitted to the North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have tested positive for cyanobacteria.

 

“The growth of this bacteria is facilitated by the high temperatures common in July and August,” says Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “Blue-green algae often occurs in stagnant ponds or dugouts with elevated nutrient levels, forming large colonies that appear as scum on or just below the water surface. Live cyanobacterial blooms can be green, but also red or yellow, and often turn blue after the bloom dies and dries on the surface or shoreline.”

 

Some species of cyanobacteria can be toxic when livestock and wildlife ingest them. Toxicity is dependent on the species consuming the water, the concentration of the toxin or toxins and the amount of water ingested.

 

Cyanobacteria can produce neuro and liver toxins. Signs of neurotoxin poisoning can appear within five minutes to up to several hours after ingestion. In animals, symptoms include weakness, staggering, muscle tremors, difficulty in breathing, convulsions and, ultimately, death.

 

Animals affected by liver toxins may exhibit weakness, pale-colored mucous membranes, mental derangement, bloody diarrhea and, ultimately, death. Typically, livestock are found dead before producers observe symptoms. If cyanobacterial poisoning is suspected as the cause of death, producers should check the edges of ponds for dead wildlife.

 

When collecting a water sample, follow NDSU Extension’s Livestock Water Testing Guidelines (https://tinyurl.com/NDSU-LivestockWaterTesting).

 

“Be sure to wear gloves, as cyanobacteria can be toxic to humans,” advises Michelle Mostrom, NDSU veterinary toxicologist. “Collect a sample of the suspected cyanobacterial bloom from the surface of the water and deeper in the water. The sample should be kept cool but not frozen, and submit it to the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory or a commercial laboratory.

 

“The sample can be evaluated microscopically for algae, or the water can be analyzed for several of the toxins at commercial labs at a higher cost,” she adds.

 

For more information on sample collection and submission, contact your local NDSU Extension agent.

 

Here are some ways producers can prevent cyanobacterial poisoning of livestock: