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3 conditions identified by the VDI Calcemia Panel

Determining the root cause of hypo or hypercalcemia should be quick. Using additional biomarkers like PTH and Vitamin D, we can quickly determine what may be play, whether it’s hypercalcemia of malignancy, hyperparathyroidism, or hypoparathyroidism. Explore some common findings below for each of these situations, and utilize the VDI Calcemia Panel to expedite your differential. […] Read more »

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4 tips to get the most from Test & Treat

Background: Proper nutrition is the foundation of long-term pet health. Unfortunately, most commercial pet foods do not provide adequate vitamin levels for some of the most important essential vitamins. While this is problematic, correction is easy with a simple Test & Treat strategy through VDI. Identify and correct nutritional deficiencies to improve health. Tip 1: […] Read more »

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A Guide To Fur Mineral Analysis

Fur mineral analysis can provide a lot of information about long-term exposure to environments and to the impact a diet is having on the nutritional status of the dog or cat. For many, fur analysis may be unfamiliar so here is a basic overview of some important information on fur. In this article: How “stuff” […] Read more »

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5 reasons to test Vitamin D levels

dog cat sun

Vitamin D is one of the most important yet overlooked nutrients in our pets’ diet. Raw diets, natural diets, grain-free diets, specialty diets, and the list continues, but none of them address a huge problem in their nutrition: Vitamin D levels. Here are 5 reasons why you should be testing Vitamin D levels in all […] Read more »

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6 types of cases for using VDI Cancer Panels

dog blood draw

VDI offers a range of specialty cancer blood tests, each having different applications. Below are 6 options for when to consider using a VDI panel and which panels may be most appropriate. Scroll down to read more on each case. 1. Identified Mass To Biopsy or Not to Biopsy If you have identified a mass […] Read more »

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Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplementation Proves to be Effective for OA

old dog running with ball

Background Degenerative joint disease encompasses a wide range of diseases with osteoarthritis (OA) affecting 20% of all dogs and 80% in dogs greater than 8 years.  In its advanced stages, OA can be painful and debilitating.  Treatment of OA typically centers on reduction of pain and increased mobility. A key component of synovial is hyaluronan […] Read more »

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Protein-Losing Syndrome and Vitamin D

Background Protein-losing syndromes, specifically protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) and protein-losing nephropathy (PLN), are disease conditions when albumin and other protein-rich materials leak into the intestinal cavity or urine.  Left untreated, there is a high mortality.  Both PLE and PLN involve significant inflammation which is a part of the pathogenesis and treatment often includes the use of […] Read more »

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Hyaluronic Acid – A Joint Health Test

There is a growing body of evidence that Hyaluronic Acid is an effective marker of degenerative joint diseases in dogs: Background:Serum hyaluronic acid (sHA) and CRP are a simple blood test for the early detection of degenerative joint disease as well as post-therapeutic monitoring for therapy effectiveness.  Positive sHA values are to be interpreted as […] Read more »

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The Effect of Vitamin D in Chronic Enteropathy

Background The digestive tract is responsible for the absorption of nutrients and the elimination of waste; hence with chronic enteropathies (CE) and especially protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) these diseases can severely impact a patient’s health and may even result in death.  Studies in companion animals have shown that patients with CE and PLE have low stores […] Read more »

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Vitamin D and Feline Cardiomyopathy

Background Many tissues, including the heart, have vitamin D receptors that regulate gene transcription and expression including the renin-angiotensin system, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and endothelial dysfunction.  In 2013, a canine study showed that 25vitD levels were low with CHF and related to prognosis (1).  And in 2015, another study showed that 25vitD levels corresponded to disease […] Read more »