At St Martins Veterinary Clinic, we pride ourselves on being at the very forefront of veterinary science. This means utilising and understanding cutting edge diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols. Some of these tests and techniques are rarely performed outside referral hospitals. However, although some other vets are now beginning to realise their value, because we have been routinely using them for some time, we have an advantage in interpreting the results so that they can be used to facilitate more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment.
Cat Blood Typing
As in humans animals have blood types, and this can be of significance in blood transfusions. Blood transfusions are rare in veterinary practice because of the practical difficulty in obtaining donor blood but when they are required it is invariably in an emergency situation. Mismatching blood types in dogs may not be critical if performed once but in cats it can be fatal. It is therefore important to know any individual cat's blood type beforehand. Cat blood types can be determined from a blood sample but this is time consuming and expensive, however a DNA test on a swab taken from the mouth can save valuable time if an emergency blood transfusion is required and costs a lot less. We are now offering this test for cats as a routine service.
Biomarkers
Biomarkers are substances released from tissues and are 'barometers' of a biological state. In the scenario of disease management, measuring biomarkers is an invaluble tool for diagnosing and measuring progress of certain diseases. The use of these is presently in its infancy but increasing all the time. At St Martins Veterinary Clinic we embraced the measurement of bio-markers from the outset and are using them extensively. Some examples of where we use bio-markers are illustrated below.
- NT-proBNP is a biomarker which is released from the heart as it becomes diseased. By monitoring NT-proBNP we can predict in which animals heart failure is imminent and begin pre-emptive treatment. NT-proBNP is very inexpensive and is in the future set to become possibly the most useful test for cardiac disease. We are very excited about its potential and vet Martin Atkinson is a leading authority on it's interpretation. Diagnosis of heart disease is most important in cats as they frequenly suffer sudden fatal heart failure and it is imperative to treat them before this is the case. Very few other vets are currently using this test routinely in cats.
- Prostate disease. Bio-markers released from the prostate gland indicate the presence of prostatic disease, which can be difficult to diagnose, and give an indication of its severity.
- Tissue damage. Biomarkers released from damaged tissue give an indication of the severity of injury. In the worse case scenario this can give an important prognostic indicator as to whether a serious injury is survivable.
- Cancer biomarkers and DNA testing. By monitoring biomarkers realease from certain cancer cells, we are able to make a diagnosis at a much earlier stage than would be possible otherwise, thus improving the chances of successful treatment. This test is still very restricted in the cancers we can test for but we have been gaining experience for many more years than most other practices (we were one of the first practices in the UK to realise the value of cancer biomarkers). We believe the potential in this field is unlimited and look forward to being able to utilise further advances as they occur. We are now also able to offer DNA testing in certain breeds to increase understanding of which dogs are most likely to develop cancer. Further information on this topic can be found under the 'Cancer' link.
Feline Interferon.
The value of interferon for treating viral disease has been recognised for several years and although some vets are at last beginning to realise the benefits in treating viral disease in cats, veterinary surgeon Martin Atkinson probably has more knowledge and experience in their usage than any other vet in general practice, indeed he has several published papers and lectured on this subject.
Skin buttons
Skin buttons are small ports than can literally be sutured into an animal's skin to facilitate giving fluid therapy at home. The advantage of additional fluids in certain diseases, especially in kidney failure in cats, is well known but normally depends on hospitalisation for repeated intravenous drips which is expensive and traumatic for the patient, or trying to force fluids by mouth which is often equally traumatic and usually ineffective. We believe that we are one of only very few non-referral practices using this innovative method of fluid therapy.
These are just a few of the advanced diagnositic and treatment protocols we use and our knowledge is constantly being updated by continual professional development. For further example: because of our understanding of apparently normal (but in reality abnormal) kidney, pancreatic and thyroid function tests in cats we are able to treat these conditions more effectively.
Check this page regularly for updates on these and other new developments.
