blue green algae

Question
I took my two JRT to the lake yesterday, and only my 2 year old went swimming, she swam for an hour. After walking back to the car she grumbled as if she didn't feel good, she threw up foam in the car, and when we placed her on the ground she almost fell over. I brought her to the vet where she had a more than one seizure and became unconscous. The vet gave vallium twice and she was sleeping and breathing fine. Then they pushed a whole vile of phenobarbitol, she quit breathing and she died. All her labs were normal and the autopsy showed nothing, does this sound normal and is blue algae or seizures killers to JRT?

Answer
Tiffany, I'm so sorry for your loss. That is so sad. :(
Unfortunately that blue algae is very dangerous and deadly if giving off toxins. Here is some more information on it from an online article.

Can blue-green algae make my pet sick?
Animals are not necessarily more sensitive to blue-green algal toxins than humans. However, many animals, such as dogs and cattle, enjoy being in the water, even if there is an unsightly green scum layer floating on top. When such a bloom is present, animals may consume large quantities of blue-green algae if they drink the water, and if those blue-green algae happen to be producing toxin(s), the animals can become very ill, and even die. Symptoms of blue-green algal toxin poisoning may range from lethargy and loss of appetite to seizures, vomiting, and convulsions. Dogs are particularly susceptible to blue-green algal poisoning because scums can attach to their coats and be swallowed during self-cleaning.

Should I let my pets or livestock drink or swim in water containing algal blooms?
No. Animals can become extremely ill, and even die, after swallowing water containing blue-green algae. As public awareness has increased, so has the number of reports from veterinarians that blue-green algal toxins may have played a role in the deaths of dogs where other causes were not obvious. It is possible that the number of dogs that die from exposure to blue-green algae is an underreported statistic.

Again, I am so sorry about your dog. Someone should have posted a DANGER sign for all to see. Humans can get very sick from it too.
Take care, hang in there.