DWQ-2025-005081

Hepatotoxins and nephrotoxins:
Excessive drooling
Vomiting and diarrhea
Enlarged liver
Neurotoxins:
Loss of muscle control
Difficulty breathing
Seizures
Report all suspected harmful algae-associated
illnesses to the State Veterinarian’s officeKeep animalshealthy!
Harmful algae and animal exposure
Harmful algae, also known as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, can be
found in ANY of Utah’s lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands. Toxins produced
by harmful algae may be life-threatening for humans and animals.
Common symptoms
Symptoms may vary widely depending on the type of toxins present and route of exposure. Animals
may become sick within minutes to days. Common symptoms include:
Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at [phone] or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855)
765-7661 for specific case consultation (there is typically a $90-100 fee for these calls).
Reporting HAB-associated illnesses
You can submit whole animals to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy. Please
contact them for more information on pricing and submission. (Logan branch: [phone] or
[e-mail]; Central Utah branch: [phone] or [e-mail])
GI contents, serum, and/or urine may be tested for toxins produced by harmful algae. Samples should
be frozen immediately upon collection. See below QR code for more information.
Necropsy and testing
Please report any suspected harmful algae illnesses as toxic substance contamination to the State
Veterinarian’s Office at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). Call [phone] or
scan the QR code below to make an online report.
List of known harmful
algae blooms in Utah
More info on symptoms,
treatment, and lab testing
Report a harmful
algae related illness