Background: Glyphosate (eg, Roundup) is the most widely used herbicide in the world. In active use since 1974, glyphosate is found in our air, water, soil, and food. Glyphosate is quite robust to degradation and it distributes into the tissues with a half-life of 15 hours. Glyphosate and it’s main metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), are […] Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and albumin have long been used independently as markers for prognosis. Patients with either high inflammation or low albumin have tended to have worse outcomes. The use of the C-reactive protein/ albumin ratio (CAR) is growing in human medicine as a prognostic index for disease severity. With the growing use of CRP […] Read more »
Background:Differentiating GI Lymphoma from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) continues to be a challenge in many cats. When ultrasound is suggestive and biopsy is not an option, alternative pathways to diagnosis are needed. The VDI Cancer Panel is a tool, when used in conjunction with an ultrasound, that can help rule-in LSA in the suspected cat. […] Read more »
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a molecule that exists inside the joints in cats, dogs and humans. Its main purpose is to lubricate and prevent the bones in the joint from rubbing against each other, breaking down, and causing bone and ligament damage. As joints degrade, this molecule is leaked into the blood stream, where testing […] Read more »
In dogs, C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase protein produced in response to inflammation and the release of cytokines. It has been shown to be an effective measure of general inflammation. Inflammation is involved in both the initiation and propagation of many disease processes. While non-specific, it is very sensitive to developing problems. […] Read more »
Background Vaccinations activate the adaptive immune process to provide lasting immunity to disease. Dogs and cats get vaccinated to a wide range of pathogens with the goal of high antibody titers and long duration of immunity (DOI). While generally successful, there are times vaccinations FAIL, or fail to provide the desired DOI. Vaccination failures and low DOI […] Read more »
In a series of studies (1-3) from the University of Missouri, the activated form of vitamin D (calcitriol) was shown to reduce TNF-α (pro-inflammatory cytokine) and increase IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine). These in-vitro studies examined the effect calcitriol had on cultured canine leukocytes when exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Leukocytes possess the vitamin D receptor (VDR) along […] Read more »
