About HemoPet & NutriScan
Hemopet is a non-profit entity started by W. Jean Dodds, a veterinarian, in 1986. Back then, Hemopet was the first national animal blood bank, and today, its range of services has expanded significantly.
Hemopet prides itself in using novel and holistic approaches to pet care. It offers targeted conditions for specific pet conditions and exclusive diagnostic tests. All with one goal – to promote better nutrition and supports optimal health in pets.
NutriScan Food Intolerance Testing Technology
NutriScan is a unique and clinically predictable diagnostic test that uses saliva to identify common food intolerances. Basically, the test measures the levels of IgA and IgM antibodies in the saliva.
IgA antibodies measure food reactions on the bowel surface in the last two years. IgM antibodies measure the body’s primary defense to exposures within the previous five to six months. IgA and IgM antibodies often react together as they are two aspects of the same immune response.
NutriScan is considered an innovative test because it uses saliva. Interestingly, IgA and IgM show up in saliva as much as five months before the bowel disease triggers clinical signs. Also, these antibodies can appear in saliva without being present in the blood.
The NutriScan Food Intolerance Test measures the dog’s sensitivity to 24 foods and up to 112 related foods. The primary foods are beef, chicken, corn, duck, lamb, cow’s milk, pork, soy, turkey, venison, wheat, white fish, barley, hen’s egg, lentil, millet, oatmeal, peanuts, potato, quinoa, rabbit, rice, salmon, and sweet potato.
The sensitivity to related food ingredients are derived from the primary foods. For example, dogs intolerant to beef will find buffalo and bison reactive as well. Or dogs sensitive to lentils will also be sensitive to peas.
How Does NutriScan Food Intolerance Test Work?
The NutriScan Intolerance Test for dogs works in a simple way. After ordering the test, it will arrive, and you need to collect the sample. This is one of the best parts of the tests – the collection is easy, and the kit provides everything you need to collect the sample (saliva). Plus, it is non-invasive, painless, and quick.
However, there are some things to consider. First, the tested dog must fast for at least eight, but preferably twelve hours before the sample collection. During the fast period, drinking water is allowed.
Additionally, dogs taking Apoquel® by Zoetis must be taken off the medication for at least two weeks before taking a sample for NutriScan testing. This is because the active ingredient in Apoqel® suppresses the immune reactions occurring on the bowel surface.
After being collected, the sample is shipped. The sample is viable for 30 days, but the manufacturer recommends sending it within ten days of collection. Then, the results will be ready in two to three weeks.
The result report is simple to understand, as all tested foods are classified into four sensitivity categories – high, intermediate, borderline, and no reaction. For an additional fee the results can be discussed in a personal online consultation for an additional fee.
The manufacturer recommends repeating the test in 12-18 months for healthy dogs. For food-reactive dogs, the test should be repeated every 4-6 months.
What Is Included In The Nutriscan Food Intolerance Testing Kit?
The NutriScan Food Intolerance Kit includes an easy-use saliva collection device (featuring a volume indicator), collection instructions, and a NutriScan envelope.
The small animal saliva collection device is specifically designed for simple use. It consists of the following:
- Saliva cotton rope with handle
- Plastic syringe case
- Eppendorf collection tube
- Click here for detailed sample collection instructions.
What Are The Type of Tests HemoPet Offers?
HemoPet offers two tests – NutriScan and CellBIO. The NutriScan test is for food intolerances and sensitivities, and it is available for dogs, cats, and horses. The dog and cat test checks 24 primary foods, and the horse test checks 22 foods.
The CellBIO test detects cellular stress by measuring the levels of isoprostane – a biolipid marker that is released from damaged cells due to oxidative stress. Such oxidative stress is usually associated with infection, inflammation, cancer, and obesity. At the moment, the CellBIO test is available only for dogs.
In addition to these tests, HemoPet offers a dog supplement – BioBlend Super 6. The supplement features six ingredients: CoQ19, selenium, curcuWIN, vitamin D3, alpha-lipoic acid, and green tea. It is formulated for dogs of all breeds and ages, and it supports overall health.
- The NutriScan test applies to both healthy dogs and dogs with known or suspected food intolerances
- NutriScan tests for 24 common primary foods and up to 112 related food ingredients
- The NutriScan test kit includes an easy-collection device for saliva (with a volume indicator), as well as collection instructions
- The NutriScan test results come quickly (in two to three weeks) and are easy to interpret
- Only 0.5 ml of saliva is required for testing, which makes testing super easy.
- NutriScan checks sensitivity to beef, chicken, corn, duck, lamb, cow’s milk, pork, soy, turkey, venison, wheat, white fish, barley, hen’s egg, lentil, millet, oatmeal, peanuts, potato, quinoa, rabbit, rice, salmon, and sweet potato
- The NutriScan test results show the level of food intolerance by rating it as high, intermediate, borderline, and no reaction
- HemoPet offers customer support via email and phone, as well as online consultations for test result interpretation
Pros
- Science-backed technology
- Results validated in USA & Europe
- Non-invasive & pain-free method
- Straightforward sample collection
- Fast turnaround time (2-3 weeks)
- Easy to interpret results
- Fast turnaround time (24-48 hours)
- Personalized, color-coded results
- Often covered by pet insurance
- Many success stories on the website
- Excellent customer support
- Tests available for cats and horses
Cons
- More expensive than other food intolerance tests
- Does not test for environmental allergies
- Dogs must fast overnight before sample collection
- Apoquel use must be discontinued prior to sample collection
- Additional fee for personal online consultations
How Much Does NutriScan Food Intolerance Test Cost?
The NutriScan Food Intolerance Test for dogs costs $298 (plus an additional $35 for international shipping). The brand also offers a NutriGold consultation – online consultation for owners that have questions and suggestions regarding the test results. The personal NutriGold consultation costs $35.
Final Verdict - Is The NutriScan Food Intolerance Test Worth It?
Based on factors such as science-backed technology, variety of foods included, ease of sample collection, turnaround time, price tag, results interpretation, and customer support, we give the NutriScan Food Intolerance test an overall 4 out of 5 stars.
So, the answer is yes – the NutriScan Food Intolerance Test is worth it. While more expensive than other non-invasive, at-home allergy tests for dogs, it provides a great deal of information. Plus, the efficacy of the test is backed up by several studies.
However, before purchasing the test, you need to understand that these tests are not an alternative to in-person vet examinations and consultations. Ideally, you can perform the test and once you have the results, see your veterinarian.
The vet will analyze the results and consider them in combination with the dog’s symptoms to establish the best management plan.
FAQ
Yes, NutriScan is legit. In fact, at the moment, it is the only clinically predictable diagnostic test for common food intolerances based on saliva analysis. Plus, it is available for dogs, cats, and horses.
