What is the 4dx test?

Simply put, a 4DX is a blood test that checks to see if your dog has antigen to heartworm disease or antibodies to one of the five tick-borne diseases (Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia ewingii, Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys).

Accordingly, what is a 4dx test and why is it important?

Preventive care is all about keeping your pet happy and healthy, and one of the most important tests for dogs is called 4DX. This is a blood test that checks for four common diseases in dogs: Heartworm, plus three tick-borne diseases. Every dog should get a 4DX test during its annual exam.

Secondly, what is the SNAP test? Test annually to help prevent the spread of heartworm disease, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, and anaplasmosis while increasing awareness of these vector-transmitted infections. SNAP tests provide reference laboratory quality technology for superior diagnostic accuracy at the point of care.

Also asked, what does Idexx 4dx test for?

The 4Dx snap test in the veterinary world is a blood test that is run in the hospital and provides results in 8 minutes. The test is a screening process for six vector-borne diseases. We are checking your dog for Heartworm, Lyme, Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia ewingi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys.

Is ehrlichiosis serious?

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial illness that causes flu-like symptoms that include fever and aches. It can cause very serious complications if left untreated. But it can be cured with prompt treatment.

35 Related Question Answers Found

How much does a snap test cost?

Using this figure and assuming a cost of $15 for an FIV/FeLV snap test, testing 100 feral cats would cost $1,500 and identify an average of 8 cats as presumptively positive for one of the viruses.

What is anaplasma dog?

Anaplasmosis, aka dog fever or dog tick fever, is a tick-borne disease that infects a dog's bloodstream. Anaplasma platys, carried by the brown dog tick, affects the blood-clotting cells known as platelets.

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs?

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Stiff walk with an arched back.
Sensitivity to touch.
Difficulty breathing.
Fever, lack of appetite, and depression.
Superficial lymph nodes close to the site of the infecting tick bite may be swollen.
Heart abnormalities are reported, but rare.
Nervous system complications (rare)

How do snap tests work?

Inside the tough plastic shell of every IDEXX SNAP device is a sophisticated scientific test called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IDEXX uses this powerful technology to detect residues in dairy milk. See what happens inside a SNAP test as milk flows from the sample well to the result window.

What is a cPL test for dogs?

cPLI is an acronym for canine Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity, a specific lipase found only in canine pancreatic tissue. The commercially available assay (Spec cPL" by Idexx Laboratories) measures concentrations of pancreatic lipase in the serum.

What is heartworm Lyme combo?

The Heartworm-Lyme Combo Test is a blood screening for Heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. A VIP Petcare representative will draw a small amount of blood from your dog and submit it to a national laboratory the following week.

Is e Canis curable?

Ehrlichia canis is also treatable. In most cases, antibiotics and supportive care can clear up the infection. In more advanced cases, hospitalization, fluid therapy and additional services may be needed depending on what body systems the disease infects.

How do you use the idexx SNAP test?

Use the SNAP Pro® Analyzer to automatically activate the SNAP test and interpret the result. When color first appears in the activation circle, press firmly to activate. You will hear a distinct “snap.” For more information or to order this test, visit idexx.com/heartworm.

Why do they test dogs 4dx?

Simply put, a 4DX is a blood test that checks to see if your dog has antigen to heartworm disease or antibodies to one of the five tick-borne diseases (Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia ewingii, Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys).

How much does it cost to test a dog for heartworms?

Heartworm Test: This annual test checks for heartworm disease, which is a serious and potentially deadly condition caused by parasitic worms. Blood testing for this disease generally costs $45-$50.

Is Ehrlichia contagious to other dogs?

The disease is only transmitted through the bites of ticks. Therefore, even though the disease is not transmitted directly from dogs to humans, infected dogs serve as sentinels, or warnings to indicate the presence of infected ticks in the area.

How is ehrlichiosis treated in dogs?

Treatment for ehrlichiosis involves the use of antibiotics such as tetracycline or doxycycline for a period of at least six to eight weeks; response to the drugs may take one month. Treatment with macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin and azithromycin is being studied.

How do you test for Ehrlichia?

Routine laboratory results include a low white blood cell count, low platelet count and elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH). A confirmed diagnosis can be made using an antibody IFA (Immuno-Fluorescent Assay) after 21 days of suspected infection. In severe cases, blood smears can be examined for ehrlichiosis.

What snap means?

SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the program formerly known as food stamps. It is a federal nutrition program that helps you stretch your food budget and buy healthy food.

What is a triple snap?

The SNAP® Feline Triple® Test screens cats for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen, and feline heartworm (FHW) antigen. This three-in-one test for feline infectious diseases introduces an enhanced tool to promote feline health care.

How do you do the parvo test on snap?

Place the SNAP device on a horizontal surface. Using the swab as a pipette, dispense 5 drops of the fluid into the sample well, being careful not to splash contents outside of the sample well. The sample will flow across the result window, reaching the activation circle in 30-60 seconds.

How long does a SNAP test take?

Test result interpretation is complex.

It takes at least 30 days from the time of infection with FeLV to test positive on a SNAP test and it can take at least 60 days for a cat infected with FIV to develop enough antibodies to cause a positive result on a SNAP test.