Heska Corp. has released what the Loveland, Colo., company calls North America’s first in-clinic immunoassay for confirming hypothyroidism in dogs. The tabletop Element i Immunodiagnostic Analyzer also can screen for Cushing’s disease and Addison’s disease, among other animal health issues, within 10 minutes. The analyzer improves on Total T4 tests, said Steve Eyl, executive vice president of commercial operations. “Total T4 has long been used to screen for thyroid disorders,” Eyl said. “But Total T4 is only a partial and imprecise screen of a highly complex, yet common diagnosis that can and should be confirmed with a specific TSH [thyroid stimulating hormone] result. “TSH testing for specific thyroid function has never been available at the point of care, where veterinarians, patients and their owners need it most.” The ability to test for both Total T4 and TSH with the Element i saves veterinarians from having to seek TSH results from a reference laboratory, he added. Element i and test supplies will be available through Heska and Henry Schein Animal Health.
