New E.R.D. Screen Test provides early detection for renal disease in dogs

Heska Corp. introduces the new E.R.D.-Screen Test that provides veterinarianswith a rapid, annual in-clinic test to identify dogs "at risk"of renal disease or other ongoing diseases causing nephron damage. Withthe E.R.D.-Screen test, this identification happens much earlier than withconventional renal diagnostics, the company says. E.R.D.-Screen is a urinetest for microalbuminuria (very small amounts of albumin in the urine) thatdetects and monitors ongoing nephron damage in dogs. Because persistentmicroalbuminuria is an indication of nephron damage, not nephron loss, earlierintervention is now possible, the company says. E.R.D.-Screen is an easy-to-use,five-minute, in-clinic test device that is self-contained and does not requirereagents, the company says. With an albumin detection capability ­ 10to 30-fold lower than conventional urine dipsticks, a positive E.R.D.-ScreenTest result indicates the presence of microalbuminuria, which is an abnormalfinding requiring further medical investigation, the company says. Heskarecommends that all dogs 3 years-of-age or older be tested as part of theirannual wellness exam. Regular testing should also be considered for high-riskbreeds, genetically predisposed dogs and dogs with a history of kidney problemsor other chronic illness, the company says.

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