First diagnostic test for canine IBD coming soon

Antech Diagnostics (part of Mars Petcare) has announced the completion of its final study of a new blood test for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Chronic vomiting and diarrhea are among the most common reasons why dogs are presented for veterinary evaluation. Determining the cause can be complex and time-consuming—not to mention costly for the client.

Antech’s new diagnostic test, scheduled to hit the market in the second quarter of this year, will allow veterinarians to determine whether a dog’s chronic gastrointestinal signs are consistent with IBD (canine chronic enteropathy), according to the announcement.

Traditional diagnosis in these cases involves obtaining endoscopic tissue biopsies for histopathology, but veterinarians and owners may choose to delay this costly diagnostic while ruling out other potential causes. “Access to an easy, noninvasive, cost-effective blood test allows veterinarians to diagnose or rule out IBD faster, speeding delivery of the proper therapy that will return a dog to good health as quickly as possible,” according to the release.

“The ability to reach a diagnosis faster—avoiding the precursor path of ‘let’s try this,’ and ‘ok, let’s try this,’—will save time, money and frustration for pet owners and veterinarians alike,” said Jennifer Ogeer, BSc, DVM, MSc, MBA, MA, Antech’s vice president of medical affairs and commercial marketing.

What’s more, the test may help veterinarians monitor a dog’s therapy over time, according to the release. IBD is a complex disease that responds to a wide array of treatments, but those treatment measures must be individualized for each patient to ensure a dog’s good health and wellbeing in the long run.

“The ability to track a dog’s response to therapy after diagnosis with a simple blood test that’s both easy and cost-effective means we can tailor treatment to suit each individual dog. Best of all, dogs get better faster; and for IBD dogs, we’re able to keep them healthy for the duration of their lives.”