I want to tell you about a patient named Louie — a sweet, scruffy 9-year-old spinone who presented with polyuria and polydipsia.
On physical exam, Louie’s vet noted no significant abnormalities. As part of a minimum database, the Heska Element HT5 complete blood count (CBC) revealed decreased lymphocytes and low-normal eosinophils (interpreted as a stress leukogram), and the urinalysis showed dilute urine. His Heska Element DCX chemistry profile revealed a high total calcium, and further investigation using the Element POC reported an elevated ionized calcium.
Louie’s vet considered his hypercalcemia differentials, with hyperparathyroidism and neoplasia (especially lymphoma) topping the list. The likelihood of the latter was explored using Antech’s Nu.Q on the Element i+. An elevated circulating nucleosome concentration would’ve increased the suspicion for certain cancers, but Louie was in the normal range, meaning lymphoma was less likely (though not excluded). Louie’s team then sent a blood sample to Antech’s reference lab to measure parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related protein levels.
Next, three-view thoracic X-rays were submitted to Antech Imaging Services (AIS) RapidRead, which uses artificial intelligence to detect common radiographic abnormalities, but nothing was noted. Same with abdominal ultrasonography. Louie’s team then sent stills of his parathyroid glands ultrasonography to AIS for board-certified radiologist evaluation and interpretation, hypothesizing that a parathyroid tumor (and corresponding increased PTH secretion) could be behind his hypercalcemia. The radiologist’s report confirmed a right caudal parathyroid mass, but Louie’s PTH results came back within the reference interval.
Louie’s vet contacted a board-certified small animal internist via Antech’s free consultation services who noted that high-normal PTH in the presence of hypercalcemia represents an inappropriate lack of PTH suppression — meaning Louie’s results were consistent with a parathyroid tumor as the source of his signs. The tumor was surgically excised and Antech’s reference lab confirmed it was a benign parathyroid adenoma.
Why am I sharing Louie’s story? Because while I can list that Antech has North America’s largest reference lab network, best-in-class in-house diagnostics from Heska, the industry’s most trusted imaging equipment from Sound, breakthrough telemedicine from AIS and talented specialists, nothing compares to witnessing these elements at work in real cases involving beloved pets, caring owners and devoted veterinary professionals.
The path to a diagnosis is rarely smooth, but we offer support and innovative options at every step. The right diagnostics at the right time — all from Antech.
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