Heska Corporation has introduced its new E.R.D.-Screen Urine Test. The E.R.D.-Screen Test is a rapid in-clinic immunoassay that detects trace amounts of albumin in urine, a condition believed to be associated with the early stages of renal disease.

The E.R.D.-Screen Test enables veterinarians to obtain results within five minutes, while the dogs are still at the clinic. The persistent presence of albumin in the urine is a marker of kidney damage and, in the absence of other clinical abnormalities, is believed to identify dogs in the early stages of renal disease. Heska's E.R.D.-Screen Test is significantly more sensitive and specific than conventional urine dipsticks, enabling earlier detection and treatment of kidney damage. The E.R.D.-Screen Test was developed by Heska in collaboration with Diagnostic Chemicals Ltd. of Charlottetown, Canada.

Heska recommends that all dogs three years-of-age or older be tested as part of their annual wellness exam. Regular testing should also be considered for high-risk breeds, genetically predisposed dogs and dogs with a history of kidney problems or other chronic illness.