Prospective determination of the specificity of a commercial snake venom detection kit in urine samples from dogs and cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the specificity of a snake venom detection kit in urine samples from dogs and cats presenting to a referral centre for diseases unrelated to snake envenomation.


METHODS
Urine was collected from 50 dog and 25 cats presented for investigation and treatment of diseases unrelated to snake envenomation. Urine was collected as a voided sample, by cystocentesis or by catheterisation, and routine urinanalysis was performed. Snake venom testing was performed within 2 h of collection using a commercially available snake venom detection kit, which was observed continuously during the 10-min colour reaction phase for evidence of a visible colour indicating a positive test.


RESULTS
No false-positive reactions occurred in any sample analysed.


CONCLUSIONS
The snake venom detection kit appears to have 100% specificity for using urine as a test sample.
Ong
R K C
RK
Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia. ryan.ong@murdoch.edu.au
Swindells
K
K
Mansfield
C S
CS
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000652:urine*; D004285:Dogs / Q000652:urine*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012910:Snake Venoms