WESTBROOK, Maine, July 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEXX Laboratories,
Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX) today announced the introduction of a
point-of-care SNAP Lepto Test for dogs suspected of having
leptospirosis, a potentially life-threatening and highly contagious
bacterial infection. With results in 10 minutes, the SNAP Lepto
Test will help veterinarians to diagnose and treat leptospirosis
faster than ever before.
"The SNAP Lepto Test represents an important step forward in
helping veterinarians quickly and affordably detect antibodies to
dangerous Leptospira infections in dogs," said Jonathan W. Ayers, president and chief executive
officer of IDEXX Laboratories. "With the introduction of this test,
IDEXX now offers timely, reliable diagnostic results both at the
point-of-care and IDEXX Reference Laboratories. This will ensure
veterinarians have the information they need to intervene, begin
treatment and provide the best possible care to family dogs."
Leptospirosis is a disease found worldwide that can infect both
dogs and people. It most commonly affects young adult large-breed
dogs that swim and run alongside wildlife hosts. Over the past 10
years, the disease has also been found in small dogs living in
urban environments, likely due to encounters with rodents and
wildlife hosts who have wandered into the city. Infected animals
shed spirochetes in their urine that subsequently contaminate the
environment. The prevalence of canine leptospirosis varies by
region and season.
Diagnosis of canine leptospirosis is often complicated and
challenging. The symptoms are variable and common to other
diseases. In addition, the most common testing method—serology
using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT)—is so complex that
it can take up to a week for results and is only performed at
university or commercial laboratories. The point-of-care SNAP Lepto
Test changes all of the above, providing a convenient diagnostic
tool that enables veterinarians to detect antibodies to this
infectious disease in 10 minutes. This advancement in diagnostic
technology will empower veterinary clinics and pet owners to take
necessary precautions against the spread of this contagious
disease.
"The new SNAP Lepto Test is a key to both determining the true
prevalence of leptospirosis and ensuring that most dogs with the
disease are accurately identified," said Richard Goldstein DVM,
DACVIM (SAIM), and chief medical officer of Animal Medical Center
in New York City. "It is a huge
advancement in the detection of leptospirosis and a vast
improvement over what veterinarians had before. IDEXX has
developed exactly what we have long needed—a simple, affordable,
yes or no test for antibodies to leptospirosis done right here in
the clinic with results in only 10 minutes."
IDEXX customers are now able to order the SNAP Lepto Test online
at idexx.com/order, by calling 1-888-79-IDEXX or through their
IDEXX Veterinary Diagnostic Consultant.
To learn more about the SNAP Lepto Test, visit
idexx.com/snap-lepto.
About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in pet healthcare innovation,
serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad
range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and
services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to
provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency and to
build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a
worldwide leader in providing livestock and poultry diagnostic
tests and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk.
Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX
Laboratories employs more than 6,000 people and offers products to
customers in more than 175 countries.
IDEXX Laboratories
Media Relations
Elizabeth Hunt
1-207-556-4650
elizabeth-hunt@idexx.com
MSLGROUP
1-781-684-0770
idexx@mslgroup.com
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SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.