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.
Here are some examples:
- proBNP is a substance known as a biomarker which is released from the heart as it becomes diseased. By monitoring proBNP we can predict in which animals heart failure is imminent and begin pre-emptive treatment. ProBNP is very inexpensive and is in the future set to become possibly the most useful test for cardiac disease and we are very excited about its potential. Because we have already been perfoming this test for several years (most vets still do not use it at all in cats), as our understanding of its significancance advances, we are in a much better position to interpret and act upon results from the knowledge we've accumulated.
- specCPLi & FPLi are enzymes released from the diseased pancreas in dogs and cats respectively. We routinely run these tests in unwell animals (again most vets don't) and found that a much higher number than previously suspected are suffering from acute pancreatitis, especially cats. Armed with this knowledge we are able to treat patients more effectively and reduce the likelyhood of life threatening disease or the onset of debilitating chronic disorders.
- Cancer biomarkers and DNA testing. Markers are chemicals released by cancer cells and by monitoring these, 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 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 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.
