D Strickland Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Does anyone here use the Snap 4dx to test their dogs for Heartworms and tick diseases ? Is it worth the money ?? http://www.idexx.com/animalhealth/testkits/4dx/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyF Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 It's the one that a lot of clinics use. I didn't realize that the average person could buy the tests themselves now. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I've used the SNAP previously though not for HW, my crew doesn't miss a HW pill and my Vet doesn't require "yearly" checks (maybe I shouldn't say that out loud...) For the ticks yep though I thought it was SNAP3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rave Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 very cool!!! I had a vet friend back East send me these tests since they don't have them in the PAC NW - in fact, the vet I went to in Seattle had never even seen/heard of it before! eep! I had wanted to test mine for Lyme after I came up positive for it. Very easy to use, but I had to have my vet draw the blood because I suck at that. Just note that your vet might not accept those results if you do it at home and may insist on doing it themselves before prescribing your dogs HW preventative. Best to check with your vet beforehand. It's probably easier just to have them do it (that way it counts). Can pet owners actually buy them from IDEXX??? That website says to contact the distributor. I don't see where to order? I'd love to order these myself and bring them into my vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 "In house" tests does not mean the same as "at home" tests. "In house" means that the test is carried out within the vet office and the sample does not have to be sent out to a lab. The questions remains, are the tests available for private, at home use? If they are, unless you are trained, is it worth it to attempt a blood draw yourself? My vet does require yearly tests, and that's okay with me, especially since the SNAP tests for several problems and isn't real pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Strickland Posted April 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 Can pet owners actually buy them from IDEXX??? That website says to contact the distributor. I don't see where to order? I'd love to order these myself and bring them into my vet. You can buy it but you're looking at $450 and it appears to be for 30 tests. I can draw blood and do the test myself but seems kinda pricey !!!! I just wanted to know if someone had used this test before. Trying to warrant spending the money. At this point I think I'll let my vet do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Billadeau Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Yes, pet owners can purchase these tests (and I've though about doignt his myself). However, you should be aware what sample you will need from each dog. Sample information Samples must be at room temperature before beginning the test procedure. Serum or plasma, either fresh, previously frozen or stored at 2°-7°C (35°-45°F) can be used in this test. Serum or plasma can be stored for up to seven days at 2°-7°C (35°-45°F). For longer storage, the sample should be frozen (-20°C/-4°F or colder). Previously frozen or older samples must be centrifuged before use. Hemolyzed or lipemic samples will not affect results. EDTA or heparin in plasma will not affect results. Whole blood can be used. Whole blood must be anticoagulated (e.g., EDTA, heparin) and can be used either fresh or after refrigeration (2°-7°C/35°-45°F) for up to one week. So how good are you at getting a venous blood draw from your dogs? Do you have a source of EDTA or heparin vacuum blood tubes? Will your vet accept your home test results in order to prescribe treatment or will you need to pay for a retest before your vet will treat? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley-dog Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 I ran hundreds of these while I was working as a vet tech in Florida but it was the 3Dx version. Every clinic I've been to (5--we've moved often) that tested for HW used these. I'm not sure what the alternative is... I think some use a microscope to look for larvae but I've never seen that done first hand. Mark is right, you have to be good at drawing blood which is generally a 2 person procedure. We used syringes which we primed with heparin. Then your vet has to accept the results. If you had a vet willing to do that and a whole slew of dogs it might be worthwhile but given the high min orders you'd probably have better luck buying a few at a time off of a clinic or just letting your vet run them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.