Exclusive: Tests confirm dog died from toxic blue green algae in the C-51 canal
Laboratory says dog's microcystin levels almost 1 million times higher than safe
Laboratory says dog's microcystin levels almost 1 million times higher than safe
Laboratory says dog's microcystin levels almost 1 million times higher than safe
Lab results in the testing of a deceased dog's vomit show blue-green algae toxins in alarming levels -- almost 1 million times more than recommended safe in drinking water.
On May 24, Rob and Pam McAfee's youngest dog Bella suddenly became very ill – vomiting, refusing to eat or walk.
"Rob said when he came home that Bella was sick in her crate today," Pam McAfee said.
The McAfees live on the C-51 canal, and that day they took pictures showing a large swath of blue-green algae.
"I think she ate some of the lily pads and I think it was the blue-green algae that killed her," said McAfee.
McAfee and family members became worried and collected a sample of Bella's vomit.
"It was a black and greenish mass," McAfee said.
McAfee rushed Bella to the emergency vet where Bella became increasingly ill over the next 24 hours.
'I said 'I don't want to see my dog suffer,'" McAfee said
Despite extensive treatment including plasma infusions, Bella went into cardiac arrest and then began hemorrhaging.
"Where she was laying, there was blood everywhere," McAfee said.
And then the formerly healthy 8-year-old boxer died.
"We need to bring awareness to all the other people that live on the canal and frequent the canal," McAfee said .
McAfee sent a sample of Bella's vomit to Greenwater Laboratories in Palatka, which also tested the Treasure Coast dogs that got sick and in one case died from blue-green algae in 2018.
"Microcystin was definitely present in Bella's vomit," chemist Amanda Foss told Investigative Reporter Terri Parker.
Foss said microcystin is the toxin present in blue-green algae, and in Bella's case, the levels were extremely high.
"The levels were ten times higher than the dogs we saw two years ago," Foss said. "And close to a million times higher than what we would recommend in drinking water."
McAfee was shocked and worried, because people are still using the C-51 for recreation, and there are no warning signs except in three places that were tested last week
"And I want other people to know this is toxic," McAfee said.
Foss said dogs are particularly susceptible to microcystin intoxication because they tend to eat dead fish and plants and drink water that is contaminated.
She warned pet owners and parents of small children to stay away from any blue-algae bloom.
"The sad thing is I think she suffered and I didn't want her to suffer and I really think she suffered," said McAfee.
