Maumee's Urgent Pet Care to get region's first AI-powered 3D cellular analysis machine

We are SUPER excited to introduce our newest diagnostic tool - the IDEXX inVue Dx Analyzer. If you're thinking "Huh?!", you're not alone! But stick with me for a few minutes - I'm going to break it down for you and explain how this AMAZING new technology is absolutely game-changing for pet health and veterinary medicine.

The Basics of Bloodwork

To understand what this new machine does, and why it's so amazing, we first have to understand a little about blood tests in general. You may have heard of a "CBC" (Complete Blood Count) test. Just like in humans, a CBC is a common blood test that gives us a lot of information about your pet's health. It tells us how many red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are in their blood. This is important because changes in the number of these cells can indicate a problem with your pet's health.

For example, if your pet has a lot of white blood cells, it could mean they have an infection. If they have a lot of red blood cells, it could mean they are dehydrated. And so on.

A CBC test is incredibly helpful. But it's not the whole story. While it can indicate the potential for numereous health issues, it doesn't really tell us exactly what's going on. We need to look at the cells themselves to find out more information.

In the past, after running a CBC test, if something appeared unusual, we would prepare a manual blood slide and examine it under a microscope. This process was time-consuming and depended heavily on the skill of the on-site person both preparing the slide and interpreting the results. When major abnormalities were identified, we sent the samples to a lab for further testing - often resulting in a 1-3 day wait for the final results.

Terminology

Before we get into the details of how the inVue Dx Analyzer changes things, let's cover a few terms you may hear when discussing bloodwork and other diagnostics.

• Cytology - This just means "the study of cells". So in our case, the inVue Dx Analyzer takes high-resolution, 3D images of your pet's cells.
• Morphology - Another fancy word that in our case means the study of the size, shape, and structure of cells.
• CBC - Complete Blood Count test. This is the standard blood test that gives us a lot of information about your pet's health. It tells us how many red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are in their blood.
• Hematocrit - The percentage of blood made up of red blood cells, which can help indicate conditions like anemia.
• Differential Count - A breakdown of the different types of white blood cells in the blood, which can help identify infections or other health issues.

That was then - this is now!

Now that we've covered how we used to do things and you know the terms involved, let's get into the good stuff and talk about how the inVue Dx Analyzer changes everything! Here's a quick overview of how it combines cytology, morphology, and AI to give us incredibly fast, accurate, and detailed results:

1. Sample Collection and Integration

   After a standard blood draw from our experienced staff, your pet's cells are processed by our ProCyte Dx machine to provide a complete blood count (CBC), including detailed information on red and white blood cells, platelets, and differential counts.

2. High-resolution 3D imaging

   The sample is also entered into our inVue Dx Analyzer where it scans your pet's cells and takes incredibly high quality 3D images. This is important because it allows us to see the cells in a way that we couldn't before.

3. Analysis

   The cells are analyzed for their shape, size, structure, and quantity. That information is combined with the information from the CBC. This is where the magic happens! The Analyzer uses AI to compare your pet's cells against a HUGE database of both normal and abnormal cells.

   

4. Results

   It then gives a complete diagnostic result within 10 minutes. Because of the amazing 3D imagery and the power of AI, it can detect subtle changes in your pet's health, even when routine tests appear normal.

5. Expert Review

   If further analysis is needed, a board-certified pathologist reviews the results to provide a final diagnosis within 2 hours.

   

What can a standard CBC test diagnose?

This test can help identify a variety of health issues in pets, including:

• Anemia: Low red blood cell counts may signal anemia, which can result from blood loss, bone marrow problems, or the destruction of red blood cells.
• Infections: Elevated white blood cell counts can indicate an infection, with the test helping to pinpoint whether it is bacterial, viral, or another type.
• Inflammation: Abnormal levels of certain white blood cells, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, may reveal inflammation or infection.
• Blood Clotting Issues: It can detect irregularities in clotting factors, which is valuable for pre-surgical evaluations and identifying bleeding disorders.
• Immune System Response: The results provide insight into how well the immune system is handling infections and other stressors.
• Potential Organ Function Issues: Although not a direct measure, the test can hint at problems with organs like the liver or kidneys through abnormal blood cell counts.
• Cancer Detection: In some cases, abnormal white blood cell populations may point to certain cancers, such as leukemia.
• Diabetes: It can assist in detecting diabetes by monitoring glucose levels.
• Thyroid Conditions: Hormone levels measured during the test can help reveal thyroid issues.

While a standard CBC test might alert us to an issue like inflammation, it can't always explain why it's happening. Our new inVue Dx Analyzer digs deeper by examining intricate details of the cells and using AI to help veterinarians differentiate between causes such as bacterial infections, autoimmune reactions, or other underlying conditions. All that amazingly-detailed insight is give to us in about 10 minutes rather than days. Seriously! It's truly incredible, and is not something I could have dreamed of when I started my veterinary career.

Benefits for Pets & Owners

Our investment in the IDEXX inVue Dx Analyzer leads to enhanced care for your pet and greater peace of mind for you. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Early Detection: By identifying subtle changes in blood morphology, potential health issues can be caught before they escalate.
• Personalized Treatment: Detailed insights allow our veterinarians (or yours!) to craft tailored treatment plans that address the root of the problem.
• Faster Diagnosis: Real-time analysis means quicker turnaround times, so your pet can start receiving the care it needs sooner.
• Improved Diagnostic Accuracy: Leveraging 3D imagery and advanced AI allows us to gather detailed information from your pet's blood sample. This extra insight leads to highly accurate results and more informed treatment decisions.

Our Commitment to Innovation & Community

We believe that staying at the forefront of veterinary technology is key to providing exceptional care. The IDEXX inVue Dx Analyzer not only enhances our diagnostic capabilities - it also reflects our commitment to innovation and community collaboration.

Many pet owners are referred to us by their trusted primary vet to take advantage of our cutting-edge diagnostic tools, such as the Analyzer and our AI-powered digital x-rays. Once our comprehensive evaluations are complete, we send the detailed results back to your primary vet. This collaborative approach ensures that you receive the benefits of innovative diagnostics while continuing to enjoy the personalized care from the veterinarian you trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

That was a lot to take in! I've been working the field of veterinary medicine for a long time, and it still blows my mind how far we've come. Here are some common questions we get about the inVue Dx Analyzer and our new diagnostic capabilities. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to call us!

• How does the IDEXX inVue Dx Analyzer differ from traditional CBC tests?

  Unlike standard CBC tests that provide basic cell counts, the inVue Dx Analyzer integrates advanced morphological analysis and high-resolution imaging, giving a more detailed view of your pet's blood health.

• Is this technology safe for my pet?

  Absolutely. The analyzer processes standard blood samples using non-invasive methods, ensuring that your pet remains safe and comfortable throughout the diagnostic process.

• How quickly can I expect results?

  Initial results are returned to us in around 10 minutes. If further analysis is needed, a board-certified pathologist can review and return the results within 2 hours.

Looking Ahead: Our Continued Commitment

Innovation is a journey, not a destination. We're incredibly excited about future expansions of our diagnostic capabilities. Our mission is to continually evolve and provide the most precise, compassionate care for your pets.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our new diagnostic technologies, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care! Thank you for trusting us with your pet's health.

Contact us today!