SNAP® Giardia Test benefits

Identify three times as many Giardia-infected animals in-clinic with the new SNAP Giardia Test.

• Detects soluble Giardia antigens—no more slide-scanning for evasive cysts
• No sample-prep time—easy to set up alongside fecal floats
• Near reference-laboratory accuracy—get better answers on just one sample

Comply easily with the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recently issued Guidelines for Fecal Diagnostics: "For symptomatic patients, add a sensitive, specific Giardia ELISA"¹

"Giardiasis in particular is a diagnostic dilemma. We agree that Giardia is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed, (underdiagnosed, and overdiagnosed) parasites. Based on the numerous phone calls and e-mails we receive, we realize that many veterinary practices find it difficult to diagnose giardiasis using fecal examinations."²

Misdiagnosis results from intermittent shedding and difficulty identifying cysts and trophozoites. At present, the SNAP® Giardia Test is the only commercially available Giardia ELISA assay optimized for use in canine and feline samples.

CAPC, an independent council of experts representing parasitology, epidemiology, and veterinary and humane medicine, was formed to address these concerns and provide recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of parasitic infections. Visit their Web site at www.capcvet.org.

Compare Giardia testing methods to see the difference.

Detecting Giardia Infection
A Comparison of In-House Methods vs. Reference Laboratory Methods

In a recent study, 617 fecal samples were tested for Giardia in the normal course of clinical practice.³ Results from fecal floatation or fecal smears were recorded, and the samples were then forwarded for further reference testing. The results indicated poor performance of current in-house microscopy testing compared to ELISA and DIFM reference methods.

SNAP® Giardia Test and in-clinic microscopy test results are shown as percentages of samples that were identified as Giardia-positive by laboratory ELISA and DIFM methods.

Use the SNAP Giardia Test as an adjunct to fecal float parasitic diagnosis—if you're looking for intestinal parasites, don't miss a Giardia infection.

References:

1. CAPC. Giardiasis guidelines. Available at: www.capcvet.org/?p=Guidelines_Giardiasis&h=0&s=0. Accessed July 13, 2006.
2. Gastrointestinal Parasites: The Practice Guide to Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment, page 4.
3. Groat R. Survey of clinic practices and testing for diagnosis of Giardia infections in dogs and cats. Presented at: 2003 ACVIM Forum; June 4–8; Charlotte, NC.

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