Toxic Signs? Acute Onset?

Drug Tests May Provide Important Clues 

Veterinarians are occasionally presented with pets exhibiting a variety of non-specific signs suggestive of toxicity. Such symptoms may include but are not limited to lethargy, ataxia, tachycardia, or  seizures. While there are a myriad of potential causes to be considered, ingestion of  pharmaceuticals found in and around the home as well as drugs of abuse should be considered in the differential diagnosis. This is especially true in cases of acute onset.

Quick urine screens for pharmaceuticals and abuse drugs are used routinely in human emergency rooms. While data regarding the application of human drug screening methods to pets was intially sparse, some clinicians have incorporated these tests on an empirical basis into their diagnostic workup for animals presented with acute signs such as those described. A growing number of studies have been published to date that lend some credence to the use of these tests with certain commonly encountered drugs.

Our easy to use one-step drug tests are available in a variety of configurations from single drug tests to 10 in 1 multi-drug panels. (See complete listing of drugs.) Pricing starts at less than 1.50/test . Please call for more information.

*Disclaimer:-Please Read: These tests have been manufactured and approved for use as a screening device for humans and have not been validated for veterinary applications. While there is substantial evidence suggesting clinical usefulness in animals, the application of these test methods should still be considered experimental and veterinarians should employ them only as an adjunct to good professional judgment and assumes all responsiblity for their use in case managment.