HABs and Veterinarians
The RSC will be working with local veterinarians to study the frequency of HAB-related illnesses in animals in this region and to provide the necessary training on how to readily identify the history and clinical signs in animals experiencing cyanotoxin poisoning due to HAB exposure. Funding for this project comes to the RSC through the Coastal Resource Management Department of the Pennsylvania DEP.
The occurrence of HABs appears to be increasing along the Pennsylvania coast of Lake Erie and other inland bodies of water. The toxins produced by HABs are responsible for illnesses and deaths of dogs, livestock, and wildlife every year in the Great Lakes region. In 2018, the Regional Science Consortium tested 2,286 water samples in Erie County. As a result, DCNR and the Erie County Department of Health posted more than 100 advisories due to toxin concentrations from HABs exceeding safety thresholds for dogs. Typically blooms occur in mid- to late summer, however, our water analyses found problematic toxin concentrations as early as May, and they may occur anytime there is no ice covering a body of water. This has resulted in the public’s concern regarding potential health impacts to humans and animals, particularly dogs.
Through the RSC, resources will be available to assist veterinarians to respond to incidents of suspected HAB-related illness (cyanotoxin poisoning) in animals by providing confirmatory testing of HAB-related poisonings in canines, training on HAB identification, and early response in suspected exposure areas. The current cyanotoxin monitoring by the RSC along the Lake Erie coastline provides state and county officials with the data necessary for warning signage to be posted at sampling locations. The RSC is working with other managers of inland lakes so that they can also conduct monitoring.
The RSC would like to invite your organization to participate in this program. Through this program, the RSC and our colleagues at the State University of New York (SUNY)-Syracuse will provide analyses of samples collected at your facility from dogs that exhibit clinical manifestations of cyanotoxin poisoning from HABs. There will be no cost to your organization. Staff at your organization will be provided with the necessary sample collection and shipping supplies. Your participation in this program is critical in collecting the information necessary to identify the need for assistance, and to track the frequency, distribution, and impacts of HABs in this region.
To kick off this program, the RSC hosted a workshop for local veterinarians, pet owners, and animal shelter managers. The agenda of the workshop and materials presented can be found below. Videos of the presentations in being produced, and will be available as soon as they are completed.
April 27th Program Recap (2021)
Download the Exam Room Signs and Protocol below. Email Amber at amber@regsciconsort.com for testing kits!
Veterinarian Sampling and Handling Protocol 2021
August 24th, 2019 Workshop Materials
Presentations:
Amber Stilwell, MS
Laboratory Manager
Regional Science Consortium
Val Beasley, DVM, PhD
Professor of Veterinary, Wildlife, and Ecological Toxicology
The Pennsylvania State University
Workshop Materials:
CDC Veterinarian & HABs Information
If you are interested in joining this program or learning more about it, please contact the RSC Lab Manager Amber Stilwell via email at amber@regsciconsort.com
Please visit Local HAB Advisories for weekly updates from our HAB monitoring throughout Erie, PA.
Please visit the Mobile HAB Lab website to learn about the traveling exhibit that we can bring to your office.