Best Blue-Green Algae Test Kit: Its Importance For Dogs & People

This content was reviewed and fact-checked by veterinarian Dr. Aukse Caraite, DVM.

The presence of toxic blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, in water bodies has become a growing concern. When ingested or even touched, this harmful algal bloom can pose significant health risks to humans and animals. If you have ever encountered a body of water and wondered, “Is this safe for my dog to swim in or drink from?” that’s where blue-green algae test kits come in. These tests provide a quick and easy way to ensure the safety of our water. This article will explore what blue-green algae is, why testing for it is important, the process involved in testing, the best blue-green algae tests, and the necessary steps to take in case of detection. Let’s get started!

What Is Blue-Green Algae?

Despite its name, blue-green algae are not actually “algae” but bacteria that derive their energy through photosynthesis, just like plants. Scientifically called cyanobacteria, blue-green algae are naturally occurring microscopic organisms found in various water bodies, including lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, estuaries, and even ocean waters. Typically present in low quantities, these bacteria can proliferate rapidly in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface waters exposed to a lot of sunlight.

The Importance of Blue-Green Algae Testing

Blue-green algae produce a variety of toxins called cyanotoxins. These toxins can be:

The most common cyanotoxins in the U.S. are microcystins, which are liver toxins that can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans and animals. Exposure to the toxins can be life-threatening to humans and other animals. There is no antidote for blue-green algae poisoning, which can rapidly become fatal. Cyanotoxins have been implicated in human and animal illness and death in over fifty countries worldwide, including at least 35 U.S. States. Human toxicoses associated with cyanotoxins most commonly occur after exposure through drinking water or recreational activities.^[1]

Blue-Green Algae & Harmful Algal Blooms

Under certain environmental conditions, blue-green algae can multiply rapidly and form what’s known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). HABs can produce toxins that harm people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, livestock, and birds. Human illnesses caused by HABs can be debilitating or even fatal. HABs can look like foam, scum, paint, or mats on the water’s surface and can be different colors, including green, blue-green, red, or brown. As climate change increases the frequency of heatwaves and alters rainfall patterns, HABs are expected to rise, making testing for blue-green algae more crucial.

Symptoms of Blue-Geen Algae Exposure

Exposure to harmful blue-green algae can lead to a variety of symptoms in both humans and dogs. The symptoms largely depend on the type of toxin produced by the specific species of algae, the amount ingested or contacted, and the duration of exposure.

Symptoms In Humans

1. Skin contact or inhalation. Direct contact with blue-green algae-infected water can lead to skin irritation, hives, blisters, itchy eyes, and throat and nasal irritation. Inhaling water droplets during activities like water-skiing can cause hay fever-like symptoms or even asthma in sensitive individuals.
2. Ingestion. If the water is accidentally swallowed, it can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. More severe exposure can lead to liver damage (indicated by jaundice, dark urine, and sensitivity in the liver area), kidney damage, and, in rare cases, neurotoxic effects such as seizures, confusion, and loss of consciousness.

Symptoms In Dog

Dogs are often at a higher risk of exposure because they may drink from contaminated water sources or lick their fur after swimming. Symptoms in dogs can appear within minutes to a few hours after exposure and include.

Blue-Green Algae Test Types & How They Work

Blue-green algae can be tested using various methods.

Preliminary Blue-Green Algae Test

This method can’t confirm the presence or determine the type or concentration of blue-green algae and should not be used to rule out the absence of blue-green algae.

Visual inspection: The most straightforward method to identify possible blue-green algae presence is through visual inspection. Algal blooms often create a visible layer or ‘scum’ on the water surface, usually green, blue-green, or red.

Jar test: This is another simple preliminary test where a water sample is collected in a clear jar and left undisturbed in a cool, shaded place. After 24 hours, if a layer of scum is formed at the surface, it could indicate the presence of blue-green algae.

Blue-Green Algae Test

These three tests can accurately detect the presence of blue-green algae and determine whether the water is safe for you and your pets.

Toxin analysis: Some blue-green algae produce harmful toxins, which can be tested in a lab using techniques like Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) or more advanced methods like Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). These tests identify and measure the levels of specific toxins, providing information about the potential health risks of the water.

Microscopic examination: This method collects and analyzes a water sample under a microscope to identify and count the cyanobacteria cells. This allows for accurately identifying the species and estimating their concentrations.

Molecular methods: Advanced techniques like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can be used to identify the genes responsible for toxin production in cyanobacteria. This method can help determine whether the blue-green algae in a sample have the potential to produce toxins, even if the toxins are not currently present.

Best Blue-Green Algae Test Kit

Why we recommended it: The 5Strands Blue-Green Algae Test Kit is a rapid diagnostic tool that simultaneously detects eleven commonly occurring hepatotoxins (the most commonly encountered toxins involving blue-green algae), microcystins, and nodularin on-site. This test kit employs a straightforward, single-step method known as a non-competitive immunocomplex assay. It uses a combination of antibodies that can identify molecular structures found in all prevalent cyanobacteria toxins. A single test can identify toxin levels below 0.1 µg/L (one millionth of a gram per liter).

What sets it apart from competitors: Unlike molecular and microscopic blue-green algae tests, this test usually takes 15 minutes to process and produces immediate, sensitive, and indicative results. This test is as accurate as other tests.

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At-Home Blue-Green Algae Test

The Kansas Department of Health & Environment recommends the jar test, a simple preliminary test.^[2] This is a common method used to determine the presence of blue-green algae in a body of water. However, the results are not definitive. It can give an initial indication but not the concentration or whether the blue-green algae present are producing toxins.

Blue-Green Algae Jar Test

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform the jar test:

Materials

• Clear glass jar with a lid
• Water from the source in question

Procedure

Handle the water sample with care, as it may contain harmful toxins. Use gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after handling the sample.

1. Collect the sample. Fill your jar with water from the location you suspect may have blue-green algae.
2. Let the jar sit. Place the filled jar in a refrigerator. Allow the jar to sit undisturbed for about 24 hours.

Interpreting Results

After 24 hours, carefully observe the jar. Don’t agitate and mix the water. Take the jar out and look to see where the algae have accumulated.

Positive result. If blue-green algae are present, they will typically float to the surface of the water, forming a green, blue-green, or sometimes red “scum” layer.

Negative result. If the material has settled near the bottom, it is more likely to be other algae or particles, or the water does not grow many blue-green algae.

What to Do If You Detect Blue-Green Algae?

1. Avoid contact: First and foremost, avoid contact with the water. Do not swim, fish, or boat in the area. Keep pets and children away from the water.
2. Notify authorities: Report the sighting to local health or environmental authorities. They can investigate further and, if necessary, put up warnings or close off the area.
3. Inform others: Notify anyone else who may come into contact with the water, such as neighbors, fellow pet owners, or local community groups.

What to Do If My Dog Was Exposed to Blue-Green Algae

Dogs showing worsening symptoms, such as blood in their vomit or stool, difficulty breathing, weakness, or collapse, should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

Other Water Safety Tests For Dogs

For dog owners who are anxious about the quality of the water their pets drink, we recommend a test like the My Pet Water Quality Test Kit. This kit is designed to test any fresh water source, including tap water, for chlorine, alkalinity, fluoride, lead, mercury, pesticides, and hardness levels. It can also test fresh water supplies for drinkability, including chemically treated city water.

In most cases, bodies of water may be perfectly safe for your dog to drink. However, during outdoor excursions, you’re better off giving your pooch bottled water that you know is safe. To that end, a portable dog water bottle is a handy tool. Ultimately, a water test kit is most useful for pet parents who are wary about the risks of blue-green algae blooms. If you and your canine companion frequently discover new spots for swimming, incorporating an algae test such as the one provided by 5Strands into your outdoor pet supplies would be a wise move

The Bottom Line

Blue-green algae test empowers us to identify potential harmful algal blooms and promptly prevent possible exposure, especially during the warm months when these blooms are most prevalent. Despite their inherent limitations, these test kits provide an essential first line of defense in maintaining the safety of our water bodies, be it a household’s tap water, a local pond, or a favorite swimming spot.

They are practical for outdoor enthusiasts who frequently enjoy water-related activities with their pets and for all pet parents who want to ensure their pets’ well-being. That said, it’s essential to understand that while these kits offer a valuable indication of water safety, any suspected presence of harmful blue-green algae should always be reported to local health or environmental authorities for professional assessment and necessary action. Combining individual vigilance and professional oversight is the best approach to protect ourselves, our beloved pets, and our community from the risks of blue-green algae.

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Sources

Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process and product review methodology to learn more about how we fact-check, test products, and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. USGS
2. Kansas Department of Health and Environment