Summer's started so have the outbreak in several states and countries due toxic cyanobacterium. Just what is cyanobacteria? Surprisingly this form of bacterium has been around 3.8 billion years age and is found in any place any where.  This bacterium is found in moist or wet places like in bodies of fresh water and they can be found in deserts, plants and even animals like the Sloth. In lay-man's terms it is called "pond scum". The Cyano Bacteria is blue-green algae and gets its energy by photosynthesis the sun converts it into energy. In normal conditions, the  cyano bacterium is a part of the marine nitrogen cycle and considered as a prime mover in the nitrous cycle of the ocean, it produces energy that is eaten by zooplankton which is a main food source of several marine species. In a normal course of production, the blue-green algae is harmless, but when high concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen is high is when toxins are released from the algae blooms.

This year, summer has proved a prolific abundance of this blue-green algae and much of it is in toxic form. Swimmers, windsurfers and waders have been reported to break out in mild to severe rashes. Other cases have been documented as blisters and swelling of gastro-intestinal tract. Even pets and cattle that accidentally drink from a water source full of blue-green algae have been known to be downed by this. Infection may be through ingestion, inhalation or by skin contact.

Though animals are less sensitive when the algae come in contact with their skin, they are the foremost animals at high risk of toxic ingestion. Pets and cattle are drawn water, mostly to drink even if the pond may be covered with pond-scum. Once the pet or animal ingests water which has blue-algae that produce lethal toxins it is bound to get very sick and sometimes die. Toxin poisoning has several symptoms: lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and convulsions. Detection of pond-scum poisoning is difficult until symptoms are apparent.

There is no treatment that an infected pet or animals can be given. Precautions are advised to prevent rather than cure. Once your pet has been known to have waded or played in a pond full of scum, contact your veterinarian for advice on how to clean your pet's coat. Ingestion of the pond-scum toxin is mostly through licking pond-scum off its coat rather than swallowing.