DNA-Based Water Surveillance for Aquariums, Zoos and Aquaculture
MiDOG uses next-generation sequencing to profile microbial DNA in submitted water samples. This broader view can help animal health and aquatic-system teams investigate microbial concerns, establish baselines, monitor changes over time and compare environmental findings with animal samples. Discuss a Water Surveillance PlanOrder MiDOG Collection KitsWhat Is MiDOG Water Surveillance?
MiDOG Water Surveillance applies the MiDOG All-in-One next-generation sequencing platform to water from aquariums, exhibit pools, aquaculture systems and other managed animal habitats.
Instead of limiting the investigation to one suspected organism, MiDOG analyzes microbial DNA directly from the submitted sample and compares it with curated genomic reference databases. The report provides a broader view of the organisms and microbial features detected in the water at the time and location of collection.
MiDOG Water Surveillance is designed for veterinary, animal-health, husbandry, research and aquatic-system teams. It is not intended as drinking-water testing, recreational pool certification or chemical water-quality analysis.
A Broader View of the Microbial Environment
Water connects animals, habitats, filtration systems and husbandry practices. When an aquatic animal develops an unusual infection or microbial concern, reviewing only the patient may leave part of the picture unexplored.
MiDOG Water Surveillance can help teams:
- Profile bacteria, fungi and other microbial organisms detected in water
- Establish baseline microbial profiles for tanks, pools or systems
- Monitor microbial changes across repeated collection timepoints
- Investigate environmental findings during a clinical or population-health concern
- Compare water findings with samples collected from animals
- Evaluate microbial patterns before and after transfers, system changes or interventions
- Review antimicrobial resistance, biofilm and toxin-associated markers when included in the selected testing option
- Support research, conservation and managed-population surveillance projects
Water findings should always be interpreted alongside animal health information, husbandry records, water chemistry, facility history and other diagnostic results.
Where Water Surveillance Can Support Animal Health
Public Aquariums and Zoos
Support routine exhibit and habitat monitoring across aquariums, zoological institutions and managed aquatic collections. Sampling can be used to establish microbial baselines, evaluate changes over time or provide environmental context during an animal-health investigation.
Aquaculture Operations
Evaluate microbial findings from tanks, rearing units, recirculating systems and other strategically selected sampling locations. Consistent sampling can help teams identify changes that may warrant closer investigation.
Clinical and Outbreak Investigations
Compare water or habitat samples with clinically relevant animal samples during difficult-to-resolve cases, mixed microbial concerns or suspected facility-level patterns.
Transfers, Quarantine and Biosecurity
Collect water samples before or after an animal transfer, introduction, quarantine period or system change to document the microbial profile at defined timepoints.
Research and Conservation Programs
Support longitudinal studies, microbial ecology investigations, cross-facility comparisons and other research involving aquatic animals, managed environments or population health.
How MiDOG Water Surveillance Works
Define the Sampling Question
Identify the system, habitat, location or clinical question being evaluated. For routine monitoring, use consistent sampling locations and collection timepoints whenever possible.
Collect the Water Sample
Place approximately 4 mL of water directly into a MiDOG collection tube with a white label.
Mix the Sample
Securely close the collection tube and invert it 5-10 times to combine the water with the preservation solution.
Label and Submit
Clearly identify the facility, system, exhibit or collection location. Complete the submission through the MiDOG Lab Portal and ship the sample at room temperature using the provided return packaging.
Review the Results
Results are typically available through the MiDOG Lab Portal within 2-3 business days after the sample is received and accessioned by the laboratory.
Discuss the Findings
Complimentary consultation support is available to help veterinary and animal-health professionals review the report and understand its findings in context.
What Can MiDOG Screen for in a Water Sample?
Depending on the testing and report option selected, submitted water samples can be screened against MiDOG reference databases covering:
- 64,800 bacteria
- 4,100 fungi
- 4,300 parasites and protozoa
- 6,000 antimicrobial resistance markers
- 92 biofilm-associated genes
- 121 toxin-associated genes
The report reflects microbial DNA detected in the submitted sample. Identification depends on the amount and quality of DNA present and the availability of relevant genomic reference data.
Connect Animal and Environmental Findings
Comparison Reports
MiDOG Comparison Reports can help veterinary and animal-health teams review similarities and differences across multiple microbial profiles, including:
- Animal-to-animal comparisons
- Patient-to-water comparisons
- Patient-to-enclosure comparisons
- Cross-location or cross-system comparisons
- Pre- and post-intervention comparisons
- Longitudinal monitoring across multiple timepoints
These comparisons can provide useful context for clinical, surveillance and outbreak investigations. Similar microbial findings do not, by themselves, establish the source or direction of transmission.
Interpreting Microbial DNA in Water
Detection of microbial DNA indicates that DNA from an organism or microbial feature was present in the submitted sample. It does not automatically mean:
- The organism is alive
- The organism is causing disease
- An animal is infected
- The water is unsafe
- The detected organism originated from a particular animal
- Transmission occurred between an animal and the environment
Results should be reviewed with the sampling location, clinical findings, animal population, water chemistry, filtration system, recent treatments, husbandry changes and other diagnostic information.
FAQs About MiDOG Water Surveillance
Can MiDOG test aquarium, exhibit-pool, or aquaculture water?
Yes. MiDOG can evaluate water samples from aquariums, zoological exhibits, managed animal pools, aquaculture systems and other animal-related aquatic environments.
How much water is needed for MiDOG testing?
Approximately 4 mL of water is recommended. The water should be placed directly into a MiDOG collection tube with a white label, and the closed tube should be inverted 5-10 times.
Is a separate Water Surveillance collection kit required?
No. Water can be submitted using MiDOG’s standard white-label collection tubes. There is no separate Water Surveillance collection kit or special shipping workflow.
Can I submit a swab from a filter?
Yes. A sterile swab may be used to sample a pool or aquarium filter. The swab may be placed in the same collection tube as the water sample when both are intended to represent one combined sampling location. Separately submitted tubes are processed and billed as separate samples.
What does MiDOG screen for in water?
Depending on the testing option selected, MiDOG can evaluate microbial DNA associated with bacteria, fungi, parasites, antimicrobial resistance markers, biofilm-associated genes, and toxin-associated genes.
Does MiDOG measure pH, ammonia, or other water-quality parameters?
No. MiDOG Water Surveillance evaluates microbial DNA. It does not measure pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, salinity, chlorine, dissolved oxygen, heavy metals, or other chemical water-quality parameters.
Does detecting an organism mean an animal is infected?
No. Detection in water does not establish infection in an animal. Environmental findings should be interpreted alongside clinical samples, animal health information, and other diagnostic results.
Can MiDOG determine whether a detected organism is alive?
DNA detection alone does not confirm organism viability. When viability is clinically or operationally important, additional testing methods may be appropriate.
Can animal and water samples be compared?
Yes. Comparison Reports can help teams review similarities and differences between animal, water, enclosure or other environmental samples. A shared finding may support further investigation but does not independently prove the source or direction of transmission.
Can MiDOG Water Surveillance be used for routine monitoring?
Yes. Repeated sampling from consistent locations and timepoints can help establish baselines and document microbial changes. The appropriate frequency depends on the facility, animal population, system design and monitoring objective.
Can it support outbreak investigations?
Water sampling may provide additional environmental context during an outbreak or population-health investigation. Results should be evaluated with clinical findings, epidemiology, husbandry, facility history and other diagnostic data.
Do water samples need to be refrigerated or shipped on ice?
No. Samples placed in MiDOG’s preservation buffer can be stored and shipped at room temperature. Cold packs and cold-chain shipping are not required.
Does MiDOG replace culture, PCR, or routine water-quality testing?
No. MiDOG provides broader microbial DNA data that can complement culture, PCR, water chemistry, microscopy, and other diagnostic or monitoring methods.
Who can submit Water Surveillance samples?
The service is intended for veterinary practices, aquariums, zoos, aquaculture operations, research institutions, conservation programs, and animal-health organizations. A valid company, institution, or practice website is required for new customer submissions.
Build a Clearer Picture of the Water Your Animals Share
Whether you are establishing a microbial baseline, monitoring a managed aquatic system or investigating a possible connection between an animal and its environment, MiDOG can help you develop a sampling and reporting approach aligned with your objective.
When contacting MiDOG, include the facility type, water system, animal population, number of sampling locations, intended collection frequency and primary surveillance question.
