AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- The City of Austin is warning residents after toxins were found in algae samples taken from Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake last month.
Low levels of dihydroanatoxin - the same toxin detected by the Lower Colorado River Authority in lakes across the Highland Lakes chain - were found in a sample taken near Mansfield Dam in mid-March, along with trace levels in two samples from Lady Bird Lake.
Like the LCRA, city officials are now urging pet owners to not allow their dogs to ingest or touch algae in any area lakes, creeks, or water bodies.
Symptoms of exposure may include excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, foaming at the mouth, jaundice and hepatomegaly, blood in urine or dark urine, stumbling, loss of appetite, photosensitization in recovering animals, abdominal tenderness, progression of muscle twitches, and respiratory paralysis.
Pet owners are asked to take their pets to a veterinarian immediately if they become sick, and report any illnesses to 3-1-1.