Question 1

What is QSM Diagnostics?

Accepted Answer

QSM Diagnostics is a company that provides pet owners with easy, fast, and accurate bacterial testing services for their pets, both in-clinic and at-home. We offer a wide range of testing kits that can be used by pet owners or veterinary professionals to quickly and accurately identify potential health issues in pets.

Question 2

What are the benefits of using QSM Diagnostics' testing services?

Accepted Answer

The benefits of using QSM Diagnostics' testing services include fast and accurate results, easy-to-use testing kits, and unparalleled support and service. By partnering with us, pet owners and veterinary professionals can access the latest in testing technology to help identify and address potential health issues in pets early on, before they become more serious.

Question 3

How accurate are QSM Diagnostics' testing services?

Accepted Answer

QSM Diagnostics' testing services are highly accurate, providing reliable results that can help identify potential health issues in pets early on. Our testing kits are designed to be easy to use and provide fast results, ensuring that pet owners and veterinary professionals can make informed decisions about their pets' health quickly and confidently.

Question 4

How can I purchase testing kits from QSM Diagnostics?

Accepted Answer

Testing kits can be purchased directly from our website or you can register your clinic to allow clients to purchase on FetchDX.  We offer a range of testing kits to meet the needs of pet owners and veterinary professionals, and our customer service team is always available to answer any questions or provide additional support.

Question 5

How can I partner with QSM Diagnostics as a veterinary professional?

Accepted Answer

Veterinary professionals can partner with QSM Diagnostics by registering their clinic or purchasing test kits to sell in-office. By partnering with us, veterinary professionals can access accurate and reliable testing that can help them identify and address potential health issues in pets early on, before they become more serious.

Question 6

What types of bacterial testing services does QSM Diagnostics offer?

Accepted Answer

QSM Diagnostics offers a comprehensive line of bacterial testing services for pets, including testing for urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, ear infections, and more. Our testing services are available both in-clinic and at-home, making it easy for pet owners to get fast and accurate results.

Question 7

How long is a FetchDx Urine Kit good for?

Accepted Answer

3 years.

Question 8

How do I store the kits?

Accepted Answer

Kits should be stored at room temperature in a dry location.

Question 9

Will insurance reimburse FetchDx kits?

Accepted Answer

As long as a veterinarian prescribes or tells a pet owner to purchase a kit to help diagnose an animal, yes insurance will reimburse the cost the same way that it does for tests performed at the clinic.

Question 10

Why are your ear and urine kits so expensive?

Accepted Answer

Our kits are more expensive than competitor products because our kits automatically reflex to run a Culture ID & Sensitivity if any signs of infection are observed. Having the results of a Culture ID & Sensitivity allows you to select the most appropriate antibiotic for you patient. 
For cost constrained pet owners or if C&S results are already known, veterinarians can purchase Urinalysis ONLY or Cytology ONLY kits. We do not offer these kits to pet owners, they must be dispensed by the veterinarian.

Question 11

What are the ramifications if the tech or doctor goes into the culture medium too deep?

Accepted Answer

A:  It gives you a higher chance of false negatives.  If you go halfway, that’s fine.  If you’re going all the way to the bottom, you have a higher chance of missing Pseudomonas.

Question 12

Are you afraid the pet owner will not get a good FetchDx ear sample?

Accepted Answer

We receive hundreds of samples, and there is no noticeable difference between swabs collected by a pet owner and clinic staff.

Question 13

Are you afraid the FetchDx Urine sample will get contaminated?

Accepted Answer

We use the Idexx Bioanalytic testing lab, the reference lab for Idexx, and Ellie Diagnostics. Both labs test for contamination.

Question 14

Can I trust the FetchDx results?

Accepted Answer

Our team of scientists has rigorously validated every aspect of the collection, transportation, and testing process used in our FetchDx kits.  Many things need to be clarified about diagnostic testing due to many misconceptions.

FetchDx Urinalysis results are accurate even after the sample has been sitting at room temperature for 48 hours, including microscopic crystal analysis [data on file].

Accurate culture ID and sensitivity results can be obtained from free catch samples. C&S helps determine if bacteria detected during urinalysis are pathogens or contamination. Commensal bacteria found on animals’ fur and skin generally differ from pathogenic strains that cause infections. The number of bacteria in contaminated urine samples is below 10,000 CFU per mL of urine.

Question 15

Does QSM Diagnostics offer a satisfaction guarantee with their FetchDx testing kits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you suspect that the sample result that your client collected is incorrect, have the client bring their pet to your clinic, and your staff can collect a sample, and we will reimburse you for the testing costs when the new sample analysis is complete (we will send kind-for-kind kits).

Question 16

How long is a FetchDx Fecal Kit good for?

Accepted Answer

3 years.

Question 17

How long is a FetchDx Ear Kit good for?

Accepted Answer

The FetchDx ear kit contains a medium tube with agar material suitable for 18 months.

We will replace the agar tube (culturette) in the kit if the medium expires.

Question 18

Will insurance reimburse for FetchDx kits?

Accepted Answer

As long as a veterinarian prescribes or tells a pet owner to purchase a kit to help diagnose an animal, yes – insurance will reimburse the cost the same way if a test was performed at the clinic.

Question 19

What testing method is used for FetchDx Fecal?

Accepted Answer

QSM uses a centrifugation process; float is no longer recommended and has been determined to be not as accurate.

Question 20

How is Giardia detected in the FetchDx fecal kit?

Accepted Answer

The fecal sample is tested for the presence of Giardia antigen by ELISA.

Question 21

What are the FetchDx criteria for triggering a reflex to culture for Urine?

Accepted Answer

If any of the following criteria are true:
1.       >5 WBC/HPF (High Powered Field) are observed on microscopic examination
2.       >5 Bacterial cells/HPF are observed on microscopic examination
3.       Specific gravity is <1.015

Question 22

How is the FetchDx Urine Wellness test better than just running a dipstick test?

Accepted Answer

QSM does microscopy in addition to dipstick. Dipsticks are not sensitive and often miss bacteria and white blood cells.

Crystal analysis is a critical component of urinary tract health. A dip stick test does not provide any information about crystals.

ALL FetchDx Urine kits automatically include a UPCR (urine protein to creatinine ratio) test. Dipsticks do not measure protein accurately and do not detect creatinine at all. Knowing both the protein value and the UPCR are important indicators of urinary tract health.

Frequently asked questions