IDEXX Introduces New Electrolytes 8 Plus Cassette for the VetStat® Electrolyte and Blood Gas Analyzer [Trade]

WESTBROOK, Maine, January 16, 2009—IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. introduces the new Electrolytes 8 Plus cassette for the VetStat® Electrolyte and Blood Gas Analyzer. The new cassette combines the capabilities of both the Electrolytes cassette and the Fluid Therapy/Acid-Base cassette for the Vet Stat® analyzer. Veterinarians now have a single, convenient diagnostic tool for assessing electrolyte values, acid-base disorders and ventilation status on their patients, whether healthy, pre-surgical, senior, sick or emergency-care patients.

"The new Electrolytes 8 Plus cassette offers veterinary professionals more information at the same price as the Electrolytes cassette," said Chris Pendleton, VetStat® Product Manager. "Stocking the new Electrolytes 8 Plus cassette rather than two separate cassettes simplifies inventory management. And the cassettes can be stored at room temperature, saving valuable refrigerator space."

Using the new Electrolytes 8 Plus cassette, veterinarians can quickly identify underlying respiratory and metabolic conditions. The cassette provides comprehensive evaluation of blood pH to help determine if underlying acidosis or alkalosis conditions are respiratory (airway obstruction, lung disease, central nervous system disorders) or metabolic (renal disease, lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, dehydration, ethylene glycol toxicity) or a combination of both. A venous sample will provide in-depth information regarding concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, pH, PCO², tCO², HCO^3- and anion gap to uncover specific conditions, such as hyperkalemia, to monitor patients on therapeutic medications and to individualize fluid therapy.

The Electrolytes 8 Plus cassette is one of four single-use disposable cassettes available for the VetStat® analyzer (in addition to Respiratory/Blood Gases, Ionized Calcium and Glucose). With the VetStat® analyzer, veterinarians can run samples of whole blood, plasma and serum to get fast, accurate results for electrolytes, blood gases, acid-base balance, ionized calcium, and glucose. The analyzer's simple design allows operation by any staff member and results are automatically recorded on the diagnostic patient report generated by the IDEXX VetLab® Station Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

The Electrolyte 8 Plus cassette can be ordered now, for delivery in March 2009, by calling IDEXX at 1-800-355-2896.

About the IDEXX VetLab® Suite

The IDEXX VetLab® Suite is a highly integrated set of veterinary analyzers that provides fast and flexible results on a patient’s blood and urine within minutes of the pet visit. Diagnostic capabilities include clinical chemistry, electrolytes, hematology with five-part differential and reticulocytes, endocrinology, blood gases, coagulation, urinalysis and infectious diseases. The IDEXX VetLab® Station, which serves as an information system for the in-house laboratory, uses the power of SmartLink™ technology to integrate results from all the analyzers—including the new Catalyst Dx™ and SNAPshot Dx® analyzers—and IDEXX SNAP® point-of-care tests into a single comprehensive and easy-to-use patient report and stores this information in its database for easy future reference and historical results-trending capability. And now IDEXX SmartService™ Solutions utilizes the Internet to deliver proactive service and support for most IDEXX VetLab® instruments.*

 

About IDEXX Laboratories

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care, to improve staff efficiency and to build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing diagnostic tests and information for the production animal industry and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 4,500 people and offers products to customers in over 100 countries.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements about the Company's business prospects for future periods that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's expectations of future events as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments. Actual results could differ materially from management's expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the Company's ability to develop, manufacture, introduce and market new products and enhancements to existing products. A further description of these and other factors can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (PDF, 1.5 MB) and on the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 (PDF, 390 KB), in the section captioned "Risk Factors."