Therapeutic indications
The Speed Giardia Virbac test is a screening tool aimed at diagnosing Giardia in dogs, cats and cattle.
The search for the pathogenic microorganism must take place following clinical suspicion as healthy carriers exist. Cyst excretion occurs on average 7 days after infection.
This excretion is intermittent; it is necessary to repeat the research for several days to issue the diagnosis at the peak of excretion. The quantity of cysts excreted varies depending on the individual, the intermittency of excretion and the technique used for counting. Since the clinical and necroscopic diagnosis of this infection is difficult, a parasitological diagnosis on fecal material is essential.
Microorganism testing is recommended on kittens and puppies aged between 6 weeks and 6 months and in calves aged between 8 days and 6 months. It can also be performed on older animals in case of clinical suspicion, chronic diarrhea and to identify healthy carriers, sources of contamination.
How to use
The test is conducted on a stool sample.
For each test, include: 1 pack containing a test strip, 1 bottle containing the reagent, 1 sampling instrument and 1 support.
Use reagents at room temperature.
Do not mix reagents from different lots.
1. Sample storage:
Identify the bottle containing the reagent. Collect a level spoonful of fecal sample using the collection spoon and place its contents in the bottle. Close the bottle and mix the contents.
Let the contents of the bottle settle for 3 minutes.
2. Reagent storage.
Take a test strip, gently immerse it in the bottle in the direction of the arrow, without touching the central part of the test strip.
Leave it in the solution for 1 minute.
Remove the strip and place it on a clean horizontal surface.
Let it migrate.
3. Reading the test:
Read the result after 5 minutes of migration.
If the test is NEGATIVE, only a blue band (control band) appears.
If the test is POSITIVE, a red and a blue band appear (test band + control band). A slight red-pink color of the test strip is considered a positive result.
The absence of the blue control band means that the test is invalid.
Recommendations:
Stability/Storage
-16 months at room temperature from the date of manufacture. The expiry date is shown on the packaging and on each bottle of strips.
- Store at room temperature, between +2° C and +30° C. Do not expose the test to temperatures that are too high or below 0° C.
-Once the packages have been opened, it is recommended to keep the strips away from humidity before using them and not to touch the reactive parts of the membrane.
Samples:
- The analysis must be conducted on fresh fecal material.
- Take a level spoonful of fecal material.
Precautions for handling:
-Do not touch the central part of the test strip.
-To obtain correct sample migration, place the test strip on a flat horizontal surface.
Other recommendations:
- Never use reagent bottles and strips from different kits.
- Allow reagents to reach room temperature before use.
- Use a new spoon for sampling at each test.
