Get the most value out of your IDEXX VetLab® system                  Fall 2006 Issue

Best methods for preparing and running samples on the VetTest® analyzer

We recently sent all VetTest® users a FREE CD:

If you use the VetTest® Chemistry Analyzer be sure to view this CD. It’s full of helpful ideas and tips as well as information on the latest enhancements for the VetTest analyzer that can help everyone in your practice make the most of its capabilities.

You can also learn about the most recent workflow features and enhancements for the VetTest analyzer, including:

• How to reduce time-to-results by 30 minutes using plasma, and slides taken directly out of cold storage

• How to prepare and run urine samples on the VetTest analyzer to screen for early renal disease

• How to prepare a sample for the new lactate test

• How to prepare a plasma sample for fast accurate results

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Ammonia Research Summary
Plasma ammonia concentration shows better sensitivity to shunt presence
by Dave Fisher, DVM, DACVP, IDEXX Reference Laboratories

Routine chemistry panel analytes are not sensitive or specific at detecting liver dysfunction, so other testing is often advised. There are many potential causes for dysfunction, including inflammatory disease, degenerative disease and neoplasia, as well as portosystemic shunts. Most commonly, bile acid concentration and ammonia concentration have been used as tools to evaluate for liver dysfunction. A recent paper by Gerritzen-Bruning, van den Ingh and Rothuizen (J Vet Intern Med. 2006;20:13–19) compares the diagnostic value of fasting ammonia and bile acid concentrations to aid in diagnosing portosystemic shunts in dogs as one cause of liver dysfunction.

This paper describes a retrospective study in dogs that presented with symptoms compatible with liver disease and/or hepatic encephalopathy that had both fasting plasma ammonia and fasting bile acids evaluated. The initial group of dogs was then divided into two groups—those with shunting and those without. The group with shunts was further subdivided into those with congenital shunts and those with acquired shunts. The total number of dogs included in the study was 337 (153 with shunts, 184 without). Ninety-eight percent of the dogs with shunts had increased fasting ammonia concentration, whereas 89% had increased fasting bile acid concentration. Eighty-nine percent of dogs without shunts had fasting ammonia concentration within normal limits, whereas 68% had fasting bile acid concentration within normal limits. The specificity for diagnosing a shunt when only looking at dogs with liver disease (+/– shunt) was 89% for fasting ammonia and 18% for fasting bile acids. In addition, the authors looked at several cutoff values for bile acids and ammonia, and how changing cutoffs affected sensitivity and specificity.

The authors describe the reasons for the differences in specificity of these tests—most notably how cholestasis, regardless of cause, will affect bile acid circulation, but not necessarily ammonia metabolism. This difference likely explains the increased specificity of fasting ammonia in separating shunts from other liver disease. The authors note an important consideration for ammonia testing in the risk for artifactually increased results due to storage of sample, hemolysis or contamination with substances such as cigarette smoke, sweat or saliva. These factors heighten the need for rapid testing of this analyte and emphasize that patient-side testing should be strongly considered when evaluating ammonia concentration. The authors also note that evaluating both fasting and postprandial samples can increase the sensitivity of bile acid testing in detection of liver disease.

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Meet Sally Shuman
Software Distribution Coordinator

Sally is beginning her eleventh year at IDEXX Laboratories. In 2003 she began a position in the Slide Calibration Team and while in this department, she started to work on software mailings, which led to her current position as Software Distribution Coordinator.

Sally prepares for upcoming software releases by working with IDEXX Marketing Departments, Software Engineering, Product Managers and other departments to coordinate materials, assemble the software packets and get them mailed out according to an established plan. These mailings include software upgrades for the VetTest® Chemistry Analyzer, the LaserCyte® Hematology Analyzer, IDEXX VetLab® Station LIMS, the SNAP® Reader, and the VetStat® Electrolyte and Blood Gas Analyzer, as well as smaller mailings as requested.

Sally notes, “I meet new people with each software release and with each new person I meet, I learn more about our instruments and products.

IDEXX is constantly upgrading their instruments and adding new features. I can help get the new software to veterinarians as soon as possible so they can take advantage of new developments right away. As an animal owner, I like knowing that veterinarians have the best available products to use.”

Sally lives in Arundel, Maine with her partner Dawn and two American Eskimos named Sadie and Dakota. In the summer she likes to spend time at the ocean and in the winter she and the dogs enjoy snowshoeing every day that she can—weather permitting.

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Here's a look at all the enhancements to your IDEXX VetTest® over the last year:

Here's a quick recap of what's now available:

VetTest slides are now easier to open. The prepackaged Quality Control Panel helps you stay on top of quality control and keep your analyzer running smoothly and accurately. The VetTrol™ four-pack, used with the Quality Control Panel, makes quality control even more convenient. The NSAID Panel makes it easy to monitor your patients on NSAID therapy. Lactate slides give you valuable prognostic information on your critical patients. The ability to run frozen and refrigerated slides directly out of cold storage, just eight minutes to results with the IDEXX StatSpin® high-speed centrifuge and running plasma on the VetTest—with BD lithium-heparin gel tubes. IDEXX VetLab® Station Laboratory Information Management System: when your VetTest Analyzer is connected to the IDEXX VetLab Station, you can bring its capabilities to a whole new level, with features like parameter trending, prepopulated patient data, automated billing and the ability to connect two VetTests at the same time for added convenience and improved workflow.

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Two New Enhancements to the IDEXX VetLab®

	IDEXX StatSpin® high-speed centrifuge—Use your IDEXX VetTest® Chemistry Analyzer and StatSpin® centrifuge for results in just eight minutes! With the VetTest analyzer, you can get fast, accurate results for a quicker assessment of your patient’s health and more immediate treatment decisions. The StatSpin high-speed centrifuge spins your samples in just two minutes. With the two-minute StatSpin spin time and six minutes to results from the VetTest analyzer, you have results in as little as eight minutes. Why wait any longer than you have to? IDEXX StatSpin includes: StatSpin high-speed centrifuge RT12 rotor Rotor adapters to run BD gel lithium-heparin tubes without having to change the rotor Starter pack of BD gel lithium-heparin tubes For more information about the StatSpin high-speed centrifuge, or the VetTest analyzer, call 1-800-248-2483.

	IDEXX VetLab® UA™ Analyzer—Easy, efficient and consistent—the IDEXX VetLab® UA will make urinalysis a breeze! Simple to operate: just prepare the strip, place it in the analyzer, press a button and walk away. 70 seconds to results. Standardized operation and automation give you consistent results without the risk of human error. Results are printed automatically, or they can be transferred to the IDEXX VetLab Station (LaserCyte) computer for an integrated printout. Electronic data storage and management for seamless record keeping. The IDEXX UA Strips are validated for veterinary use, so you don’t need to worry if your canine, feline or equine results are valid. The strips can be used either manually or with the IDEXX VetLab UA analyzer.

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IDEXX Customer Support is available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.

Toll-free: 1-800-248-2483
Fax: 1-800-248-3010

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