When fertilizer-heavy runoff (with plenty of nitrates and phosphates) gets into ponds, these cyanobacteria
organisms may proliferate. Animals drinking the water may succumb quickly to liver failure. Ruminants
are preferentially affected, but it can be seen in horses, sheep, and dogs as well. The toxins get into
hepatocytes and inhibit protein synthesis and disrupt the cytoskeleton so that cells die rapidly. There will
be massive hepatic necrosis with hemorrhage.