IDEXX Laboratories Introduces Innovative Point-of-Care Antibody Test for Canine Leptospirosis called the SNAP® Lepto Test

WESTBROOK, Maine, July 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. IDXX today announced the introduction of a point-of-care SNAP Lepto Test for dogs suspected of having leptospirosis, a potentially life-threatening and highly contagious bacterial infection. With results in 10 minutes, the SNAP Lepto Test will help veterinarians to diagnose and treat leptospirosis faster than ever before.

"The SNAP Lepto Test represents an important step forward in helping veterinarians quickly and affordably detect antibodies to dangerous Leptospira infections in dogs," said Jonathan W. Ayers, president and chief executive officer of IDEXX Laboratories. "With the introduction of this test, IDEXX now offers timely, reliable diagnostic results both at the point-of-care and IDEXX Reference Laboratories. This will ensure veterinarians have the information they need to intervene, begin treatment and provide the best possible care to family dogs."

Leptospirosis is a disease found worldwide that can infect both dogs and people. It most commonly affects young adult large-breed dogs that swim and run alongside wildlife hosts. Over the past 10 years, the disease has also been found in small dogs living in urban environments, likely due to encounters with rodents and wildlife hosts who have wandered into the city. Infected animals shed spirochetes in their urine that subsequently contaminate the environment. The prevalence of canine leptospirosis varies by region and season.

Diagnosis of canine leptospirosis is often complicated and challenging. The symptoms are variable and common to other diseases. In addition, the most common testing method—serology using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT)—is so complex that it can take up to a week for results and is only performed at university or commercial laboratories. The point-of-care SNAP Lepto Test changes all of the above, providing a convenient diagnostic tool that enables veterinarians to detect antibodies to this infectious disease in 10 minutes. This advancement in diagnostic technology will empower veterinary clinics and pet owners to take necessary precautions against the spread of this contagious disease. 

"The new SNAP Lepto Test is a key to both determining the true prevalence of leptospirosis and ensuring that most dogs with the disease are accurately identified," said Richard Goldstein DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), and chief medical officer of Animal Medical Center in New York City. "It is a huge advancement in the detection of leptospirosis and a vast improvement over what veterinarians had before. IDEXX has developed exactly what we have long needed—a simple, affordable, yes or no test for antibodies to leptospirosis done right here in the clinic with results in only 10 minutes."

IDEXX customers are now able to order the SNAP Lepto Test online at idexx.com/order, by calling 1-888-79-IDEXX or through their IDEXX Veterinary Diagnostic Consultant.

To learn more about the SNAP Lepto Test, visit idexx.com/snap-lepto.

About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency and to build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing livestock and poultry diagnostic tests and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 6,000 people and offers products to customers in more than 175 countries.

IDEXX Laboratories
Media Relations
Elizabeth Hunt
1-207-556-4650
elizabeth-hunt@idexx.com

MSLGROUP
1-781-684-0770
idexx@mslgroup.com 

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SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.