HEALTH

Toxic algae: Martin County Sheriff's Office finds no foul play in sick, dead dogs

Tyler Treadway
Treasure Coast Newspapers
Finn, a 9-year-old standard poodle owned by Alex and Misty Aydelotte, died after getting in the St. Lucie River, possibly from toxic blue-green algae in the water.

After investigating for possible foul play, the Martin County Sheriff's Office concurred with local veterinarians that at least two dogs got sick and one died from contact with toxic algae in the St. Lucie River.

The death of another dog is still being investigated.

More:Toxic algae killed dog after contact with St. Lucie River, necropsy reveals

Meanwhile, the Martin County Emergency Management Department sent out a robocall warning residents to keep their pets out of the river.

The call went to everyone signed up for AlertMartin, a free service that sends important public safety messages, evacuation notices and other timely warnings by phone, text and/or email.

More: Sign up for AlertMartin

Because the dogs' symptoms resembled those caused by poisoning, "we tried to determine if there was any criminal activity involved," said Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Christine Christofek. "We wanted to see if someone was poisoning these dogs."

A necropsy showed Finn, a 9-year-old standard poodle owned by Misty and Alex Aydelotte of the Rio community, died from contact with toxic blue-green algae.

Fishhead Labs Pathology Consulting Services in Stuart stated in its report samples of Finn's tissue and blood "are supportive of an acute toxicity due to ingestion of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) toxins."

"His insides were pretty much destroyed by it," Misty Aydelotte said.

More: All 70 people Harbor Branch tested had algae toxins in their nose

More: ORCA launches study of people who rely on local fish for food

Separate pathology reports also showed blue-green algae and microcystin, a toxin often found in the algae, in the blood, urine and vomit of Sammy, 7, and Savvy, 2, golden retrievers owned by Karin and Rob Torsiello of Palm City.

Savvy (left) and Sammy are golden retrievers owned by Rob and Karin Torsiello of Palm City that apparently became seriously ill after getting in the St. Lucie River.

The dogs got into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River near the family home Sept. 8.

At least three other dogs got sick after having contact with the river, which has been polluted with toxic blue-green algae blooms in some areas since Lake Okeechobee discharges started in early June.

More: Meet the dogs linked to toxic algae in the St. Lucie River

Symptoms of algae poisoning include severe vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and respiratory distress.

The Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate mysterious dog illnesses and deaths, said Sgt. Pat Colasuonno, including the Aug. 28 death of a Doberman with similar symptoms.

The dog lived at a house in the Coral Gardens neighborhood that "backs up to a canal  connected to the South Fork" of the St. Lucie River, Colasuonno said.

A Google Maps search indicates the house is nearly 2 miles from the river.

"It may not be that close to the river," Colasuonno said, "but there were dead fish in the canal behind the house earlier this summer."

If your dog recently became seriously ill, or passed away from an unknown cause, and you would like the Martin County Sheriff’s Office to look into it, contact Sgt. Pat Colasuonno at 772-220-7141.

Report algae sightings

Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 855-305-3903 or floridadep.gov/dear/algal-bloom