NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — With hunting seasons underway, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality wants hunters to remain cautious and watch for potentially toxic blue-green algae in wetlands and lakes.

Blue-green algae, also known as harmful algal blooms (HABs) can produce cyanotoxins which can cause severe health effects in dogs and humans.

Side effects for humans typically include diarrhea, vomiting, nub lips, tingling fingers and toes, dizziness, rashes, hives, and skin blisters.

For dogs, it can cause death, along with seizures, vomiting, and skin irritation.

As of right now, there are no known antidotes for those who come into contact with, or ingest, cyanotoxins.

There are three things everyone should remember though: know it, avoid it, and report it.

Blue-green algae takes many different forms, it can look like grass clippings floating in the water, clumps or puffballs, or green cottage cheese. It can also appear to look like spilled green paint or green pea soup. It’s usually a bright color or turquoise color.

Hunters should be cautious and avoid water that looks discolored, scummy, or has a foul odor. Don’t let dogs swim or drink the water, and carry plenty of fresh water with you. If your dog accidentally takes a swim, rinse off right away with fresh water.

Environmental Quality has finished the HABs monitoring program, but hunters can still find the water status here .

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