ABOUT ABAXIS. VALERIE R. GOODWIN Director, Marketing, Veterinary Medicine (510)

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1 Abaxis, Inc Whipple Road Union City, CA Tel Fax AN ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER FOR THE VETERINARY COMMUNITY JUNE 2006 June Highlights 2 Product Spotlight: The VetScan Classic and Avian/Reptilian Profile Plus used in the Aldabra Atoll 4 Did you Know? The VetScan is Rocket Science 5 In Depth: Diagnostic Evaluation in Fish Medicine Each Issue 2 Authorized Distributors 3 Conference Calendar 5 Contact Us 6 New and Special Welcome to the June issue of VetCom. Due to an overwhelming response regarding the Aldabra Tortoises, I have gone into more detail on the Aldabra Tortoises with a more detailed case study and examples of how the blood was drawn from these amazing creatures! In addition to the turtles, I have also included a study on Koi Fish (Cyrpinius carpio) using the Abaxis VetScan Chemistry Analyzer; performed by Dr. Brian Palmeiro and Dr. Karen Rosenthal from the University of Pennsylvania s School of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Greg Lewbart from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Submit a case study to valeriegoodwin@abaxis.com where your Abaxis in-office laboratory saved a life! We will send you a Free Gift and a 12 Pack of Rotors (your choice) for FREE! OUR 100% ROTOR GUARANTEE: If a sample run is cancelled by the VetScan due to any flaw or potential anomaly in the rotor itself, Abaxis will provide a credit guaranteed. VALERIE R. GOODWIN Director, Marketing, Veterinary Medicine valeriegoodwin@abaxis.com (510) VetCom is now available online, bringing you the latest in diagnostic insights for the entire clinic and enlightening you with a monthly case study full of interesting information and much more. Access the printer-friendly version of VetCom to share with your colleagues. Just visit our website at To sign up for additional Abaxis information please valeriegoodwin@abaxis.com. ABOUT ABAXIS Point of Care Blood Laboratory Systems, Anytime, Anywhere Abaxis is a leader in the development and commercialization of leading-edge innovative technology, tools and services that support best medical practices, enabling practitioners to respond to the health needs of their patients, while operating economical and profitable practices, at the point of care. Abaxis develops, manufactures and markets portable blood analysis systems for use in any veterinary or human patient care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements. The system consists of a compact, 6.9-kilogram (10.5 pounds) portable analyzer and a series of single use plastic discs, called reagent rotors, that contain all the chemicals required to perform 23 different assays and eight different profiles. The system, which consists of the VetScan Classic and the new VetScan VS2, the next generation, electrolyte, immunoassay, blood gas analyzer, and the VetScan HM2, Hematology instrument. The system can be operated with minimal training and performs multiple routine tests on whole blood, serum or plasma samples. The system provides test results in minutes with superior precision and accuracy equivalent to a clinical laboratory analyzer. To learn more about our Rotor Performance Guarantee, or to obtain authorization for rotor credit, call Technical Support at or visit our website at Rev. B

2 JUNE 2006 VetScan Distributors U.S. AniSol Veterinary Distributors AVSC-American Veterinary Supply DVM Resources IVESCO-Iowa Veterinary Supply PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Use of the Abaxis VetScan Classic in the Field: Instrumental on the Aldabra Tortoises! By Dr. Beth Fledelius-Forrai, DVM Working with reptiles in both clinic and in the field, one often faces some difficulties. Many basic clinical procedures are complicated in these species and especially blood sampling and analysis, can be challenging. Reptiles can be tricky to blood sample as the veins are not visible and readily accessible. Furthermore, the amount of blood one can sample is often limited in smaller reptiles etc. However, it is always critical to get a precise and accurate test-result even with use of a smaller blood volume. As the VetScan Classic has always been just very accurate in the lab, it was the analyzer of choice when I was doing blood-research in the field on the remote AldabraAtoll in the Indian Ocean. Now that the VetScan VS2 is available, I look forward to its use in the lab and in the field as well. Merritt Miller Veterinary Supply Nelson Laboratories North East Veterinary Supply Co (NEVSCO) TW Medical Western Medical Supply CANADA CDMV CDMV MidWest Drug VetNovations Vet Purchasing Western Drug & Distribution The Giant Tortoises are the true dinosaurs still remaining. Only two species exits today the Galapagos- and the Aldabra tortoise (Geochelone gigantea). The population of Aldabra tortoises living wild in the nature on Aldabra is sadly going down and many kept in zoos worldwide are having reproductive difficulties and diseases. Conservation of this species is of great importance and it is truly important that zoological gardens can keep these tortoises in correct environments in captivity including having the knowledge of their specific dietary needs, their normal blood references, reproduction and biology. In December 2005 I had the privilege of leading a research team on Aldabra. The aim of the research was to get a full view on the Aldabra tortoises biology and conservation. The central research was to determine the normal blood values of these giant tortoises in their natural environment. Furthermore, ultrasonography was used to determine the normal ovarian follicle number and size and to compare this with hormone analysis. Finally plant samples were taken to get a reference on the calcium-phosphorus ratio of their natural food items. Blood sampling large and heavy tortoises are not easy. Although vena jugularis is accessible in this species, the tortoises are so big and strong, that it is a true mission impossible to hold them still and take a blood sample from this site. Being in the field in a very rough and hot environment, sedating all the Please note, lithium heparin was used as anticoagulant. tortoises was out of the question. The blood was instead collected from vena brachialis which could be accessed either on calm tortoises standing up or on tortoises pushed to one side for a moment. The blood was collected into a syringe coated with lithium heparin. A minimum of 100 microliter of full blood was transferred into the rotor chamber and then analyzed in the VetScan Classic. The avian/reptilian Plus profile was used running only one sample per tortoise. The parameters determined were AST, BA, CK, UA, GLU, Ca, PHOS, TP, ALB, GLOB, K+ and NA+. The working conditions were not always good. Often the tortoises were hiding in the most remote and rocky areas and the extreme heat made the blood handling tricky. The samples had to be analysed immediately after sampling and often many in a row. The VetScan put the fear of not having precise data to shame. It worked though heat and dust and even survived being run over by a 150 kg heavy male tortoise that wanted a closer look! The need for these data can not be stated enough. With a full blood reference list from healthy tortoises from Aldabra, vets and biologists worldwide has an opportunity not only to blood sample ill Aldabra tortoises in the zoo, but also to monitor the health status over the year. Hopefully this will bring more attention and support to these gentle dinosaurs, not only in the zoos but also the ones still living on the Aldabra Atoll. continued on page 3 Tel:

3 2006 Conference Calendar JUNE 2006 June Southeast Veterinary Conference Mrytle Beach, SC / Springmaid Beach Resort & Conf Center June California VMA San Francisco, CA/SF Marriott June Maryland VMA Ocean City, MD/Clarion Fontainebleau Resort ALDABRA continued June 29 - July 2 Alabama VMA Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach Alabama Above, Dr. FledeliusForrai and associates perform a blood draw on a giant Aldabra turtle. At left, a map of the Aldabra Islands illustrates the interior lagoon and surrounding coral reef. Aldabra Atoll Aldabra and Assumption Island About Aldabra Atoll Aldabra is a raised coral atoll in the Indian Ocean, comprised of four large coral islands which enclose a shallow lagoon; the group of islands is itself surrounded by a coral reef. Due to difficulties of access and the atoll s isolation, Aldabra has been protected from human influence and thus retains some 152,000 giant tortoises, the world s largest population of this reptile. The islands are designated a World Heritage Site. They are also known for their green turtles, hawksbill turtles, and birds, including the whitethroated rail. Geography The atoll is located at 9 24 S E and belongs to the Aldabra Group in the Outer Islands District of the Seychelles. The atoll is 265 miles northwest of the northern point of Madagascar and 690 miles southwest of Mahé, the principal island of the Seychelles archipelago. The Comoro Islands lie 220 miles southwest of Aldabra. The Aldabra Atoll, along with Des Roches and Farquhar, was part of the British Indian Ocean Territory from 1965 until Seychelles independence in The atoll is the second largest in the world after Kiritimati. It is 34 km long, 14.5 km wide, up to 8 meters above sea level, and has a land area of km2. The lagoon measures 224 km2 in area, of which roughly two thirds full dry during low tide. The atoll consists of a ring of four larger islands; Additionally, there are some forty smaller islands and rocks, mostly inside the lagoon. Tel: July AVMA Honolulu, HI/Hawaii Convention Center July UC Davis Neurology Symposium UC Davis, Daivs CA July North Dakota VMA International Inn, Minot, ND August 6-10 AAV Marriott River Center August Pennsylvania VMA Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, PA August CVC Central Kansas City, MO Septr 8-10 Florida VMA Wyndham Palace Reort, Lake Buena Vista, FL Sept CO VMA Keystone, CO/Keystone Conference Center Sept IVECCS San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, San Antonio TX Sept AABP Saint Paul River Center Sept Florida Association of Equine Practitioners Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort Sept Southwest Vet Symposium Fort Worth, TX/Fort Worth Convention Center Sept 29 - Oct 1 Washington State VMA Yakima Center, Yakima WA continued on page

4 JUNE 2006 Demo the VS2 and receive a FREE BOOK! A $65 value! Start taking the bull by the horns. Start realizing that lab-quality results don t have to come from a lab. Start keeping the revenue from tests that took you seconds to set up and minutes to process. Start reminding yourself that a penny saved is a penny earned every time you place a drop of blood into the rotor. Start planning that well-deserved vacation to Cabo or Fiji or Zewatawherever as a reward for making better decisions about your practice. Start investing in technology that makes a difference. Start using the all-new VetScan VS2. Did you know? VetScan has a sister product sold in the medical and military markets. The Piccolo is an FDAapproved, compact, portable analyzer that provides complete chemistry panels in minutes. The US FDA, possibly the most stringent regulatory agency in the world, has determined the accuracy and reliability is suffcient for medical use of the Abaxis instrument. Routinely used by Physician Offices, Hospitals, the U.S. Military, and Urgent Care Clinics, the Piccolo was the first compact analyzer providing multi-chemistry panels surpassing other analyzers in speed, breadth of menu, convenience and simplicity. Over 800 Piccolos are used by government agencies across the country like the CDC, FDA, NIH, FEMA and United States Embassies! (More on the Military in the July VetCom). Abaxis rotor technology actually is Rocket Science! The Piccolo and the VetScan core technology was originally developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratories for NASA for use in Space Laboratories! VS2-June Abaxis, Inc. Tel:

5 JUNE 2006 UPenn School of Veterinary Medicine Study on KOI Plasma Using the VetScan ABAXIS CONTACTS VetCom Issues Valerie Goodwin Director, Marketing , ext subscribe, unsubscribe questions, comments Technical Support Linda Lang, Manager , ext technical questions, rotor credits, software queries Diagnostic Evaluation in Fish Medicine Brian S. Palmeiro, VMD, University of Pennsylvia More fish are currently kept as pets in the United States then any other group of animals. Koi (Cyrpinius carpio) are amongst the most popular and valuable species of ornamental fish, and are the most common species treated by veterinarians practicing pet fish medicine. Customer Service Ken Murchison, Director , ext customer orders, local representative and VetScan distributor, information Sales Central Area Sales Director Randy Knick , ext Northeast Area Sales Director Bill Wilson , ext Southeast Area Sales Director Frank Pickard , ext In order to overcome some of these difficulties, a study using the Abaxis VetScan Chemistry Analyzer was performed by Dr. Brian Palmeiro and Dr. Karen Rosenthal from the University of Pennsylvania s School of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Greg Lewbart from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In this study, reliability was established for koi plasma analytes using the avian/reptile and mammalian liver rotor. Koi plasma chemistry intervals were established. Seventy-one healthy adult koi were utilized for this study. See table 1 for plasma chemistry reference intervals. TABLE 1 Reference Intervals for Adult Koi The initial diagnostic evaluation in fish medicine includes a thorough history, water quality analyses, physical examination, skin scrapes, and fin and gill biopsies. Clinical pathology data is not commonly part of the diagnostic work-up due to expense, a lack of reference intervals, difficulty interpreting results, and lack of laboratories that will perform analyses. Western Area Sales Director Andy Koupas , ext * Mammalian liver rotor **Avian/Reptile rotor Tel:

6 JUNE 2006 New & Special from Abaxis We hear you often at tradeshows say I love my VetScan Now you can Refer-a-Friend and benefit with FREE Abaxis Product! SUMMER REFERRAL PROGRAM On our most recent Customer Satisfaction Survey, we asked the question On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to recommend the VetScan to your colleagues? 31% of you offered a 10 as a response! In fact, 71% of you answered that question with a seven or better! Why is it then only 20% of veterinary hospitals in the US are utilizing the Abaxis VetScan Point-of-Care Chemistry Analyzer that requires only two drops of whole blood, only seconds of hands on time and has built in QC, auto calibration and sample integrity alerts with 100% confidence just like you? The answer is simple. In most cases they simply have yet to see Abaxis VetScan Products in action. Now you can help your Friends learn more about VetScan Products. Refer-a-Friend Now and reap the rewards! Simply refer two, three or more Friends that are still using the Idexx Vettest, or the commercial lab, and in return we will send you an Abaxis Care Package. For each of your Friends that becomes a valued Abaxis customer, we will send you two 12 packs of Abaxis chemistry profiles at no-charge, a value of up to $500! For further information, please contact Jennifer Simonson at There is no limit to the amount of free Abaxis product you can receive! This offer is valid for referrals sent to Abaxis via fax no later than August 1, 2006 and for Abaxis new customers as a result of your refer-a-friend referral, by September 30, CONFERENCE CALENDAR continued Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Dec 3-5 Wild West Vet Conference Reno, NV, Reno Hilton Great Smokies Veterinary Conference Crowne Plaza, Asheville, NC AALAS Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Palace Convention Center Atlantic Coast Vet Conference Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ Wisconsin VMA Madison, WI Monona Terrace CVC West San Diego, CA AAEP San Antonio, TX Tel: