Our vet has this new test, which is probably not so new in America, but it's a bit new to us... It's supposed to detect the early signs of kidney failure and things like that but it's only for cats over six years or age...
Does any one know what this test is called? I'd like to do a bit of reading up on it... I'm glad that we finally have it over here though!
New Early Prevention Test?
Re: New Early Prevention Test?
It's called the feline ERD....please read their site very carefully before you consider using the test -- "It is intended to be used as a test to determine whether more comprehensive evaluation for early renal damage is indicated." -- It should not be used as a sole indicator of renal disease.l
..........Traci
Re: New Early Prevention Test?
Do they actually advertise it as a sole indicator of renal disease? i thought it was just mean to be an indication that there might be something wrong, and that your cat might need further testing... AT least that's what our vet told us... 
In any case our oldest cat is two years old in April... when do we start testing them anyway? Is six years old correct? or sooner?
In any case our oldest cat is two years old in April... when do we start testing them anyway? Is six years old correct? or sooner?
Re: New Early Prevention Test?
I can only recommend what is based by the manufacturer of the ERD....click on the Getting Started and the Clinical Data folders at their site for recommendations and for the study comparing age and other factors. You will have to ask your vet for any other supporting data or that of his clinical evaluations using this test in particular. To date, I'm not sure there is enough clinical data to evaluate it one way or another. It's not a perfect test to determine renal impairment....while it may be useful as an early indicator (examples are listed in the Getting Started section), it probably will miss many cats who do or do not have levels significant of microalbumin, or it will give a sense of impairment when it actually may not be not significant. More data needs to be researched/compiled to reach any solid conclusions. Ultimately, the vets who use the test should be able to make their own conclusions based on other findings, other combined testing procedures. If there is a grey area, then the appropriate thing to do is request followups, followup bloodwork and other monitorization of the cat in particular to stay ahead of the disease.
..........Traci