OraStripdx™, a periodontal diagnostic strip that estimates the levels of thiols dissolved in oral fluid, thereby indicating

the level of periodontal disease in an awake patient, has been launched by Animalcare. The visual result shown on the

“OraStripdx™, a periodontal diagnostic strip indicating the level of periodontal disease in an awake patient, has been launched by Animalcare. “

strip can support vets and veterinary nurses in explaining to owners the often-invisible early signs of periodontal

disease, without the need to examine the animal under anaesthetic. It also gives them a platform from which to start

a conversation about dental health and care.

Each OraStripdx™ comprises a dry porous pad, pre-treated with a mixture containing a thiol detection reagent,

attached to a plastic backing. The easy-to-use strip is gently swiped along the maxillary gingival margins. The pad

changes colour from off-white to various intensities of yellow, representing the concentration of thiols present. The

result gives the veterinary team a snapshot of the pet’s dental health, indicating the probability of significant

periodontal disease and alveolar bone loss.

The WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines note that the use of a test strip for measuring levels of dissolved thiols can be

very useful during an oral examination and that the test strips have been shown to improve client compliance with

dental recommendations.

OraStripdx™ is the latest addition to Animalcare’s growing dental range, which includes the Plaqtiv+® oral homecare

range.

Dr Colin Capner, Senior Technical Vet at Animalcare, explained: “OraStripdx™ helps to prompt, and raise the profile of

veterinary oral health conversations in practice, employing an easy to use, evidence based diagnostic test for

periodontal disease that does not require a general anaesthetic. In demonstrating the presence of periodontal disease

in dogs and cats to clients through a test strip colourimetric change, it bridges the gap between oral examination and

the requirement for clinical veterinary intervention. Early detection of otherwise invisible periodontal disease will help

to maintain good pet oral health and welfare, and facilitate awareness of the potential need for planned clinical

treatments.”

On 30 November 2022, Animalcare is hosting a free webinar which demonstrates how OraStripdx™ can help drive

positive oral health conversations. Sign up to the webinar at www.animalcare.co.uk/dentalwebinars.

The company has also created a range of dental care educational resources for veterinary healthcare team members

and pet owners which are available for free download at www.dental.pet.