The UK's first-ever at-home lateral flow tests for pets have been launched and claim to detect some of the most common and lethal diseases that plague pets in just 10 minutes.

Developed by medical pet pioneers, Labrador, in collaboration with TV vet Dr Scott Miller, these at-home tests promise to revolutionise how Brits care for their four-legged friends.

Using testing technology that gained popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, Labrador’s range of tests require nothing more than a simple swab test in either a dog or cat’s mucus, stool or vomit and provides results in minutes.

Each test checks for multiple health concerns, helping pet owners to quickly decide if a vet visit is necessary.

With a clinically proven >97% accuracy, Labrador’s pet health tests detect everything from giardia, coronavirus and distemper (known as feline panleukopenia) – meaning a positive result could help save your furry friend’s life.

This new range of at-home tests can not only save our beloved pets, they can also help money-strapped Brits. With an initial visit to the vets costing up to £70 and blood tests costing upwards of £1,000 if sedation is required, Labrador’s new range could save pet owners £1,000s on unnecessary visits to the vet, with tests costing as little as £17.50 each.

Labrador’s full range includes:

• Doggy Diarrhoea Test (£39.99) – A test to detect for canine parvovirus, coronavirus, giardia and rotavirus, whenever your dog is suffering from diarrhoea. Simply swab your dog’s stool to help you check if one of these common viruses is the cause before seeking treatment.
• Doggy Cough Test (£34.99) – For when man’s best friend is sneezing or coughing. This test will detect if your dog is suffering from distemper, adenovirus or influenza with a swab from your dog’s watery eyes or runny nose to check.
• Sneezy Cat Test (£34.99) – Is your feline friend sneezing, drooling or suffering from a fever or blocked nose? This test will detect whether your cat is positive for feline herpesvirus (FHV) or feline calicivirus (FCV) with a swab of your cat’s watery eyes or runny nose.
• Cat Diarrhoea Test (£34.99) – A test that detects panleukopenia, coronavirus, and giardia whenever your dog is suffering from diarrhoea. Pop the swab in your cat’s poo to check if the cause is one of these common illnesses.

Michael Hodnett, co-founder of Labrador, said: "We as a nation love our pets – some even more than our friends and family! But unlike our loved ones, our pets can’t communicate how they feel, meaning pet owners are left to rely on costly visits to the vet if their four-legged friend is acting out of sorts.

“That’s why we developed Labrador – a way for pet owners to check their dog’s or cat’s health in the comfort of their own home, without the added anxiety or cost of a visit to the vet.

“Through our tests, our mission is to revolutionise pet care by putting the power of detection in pet owners' hands.”

Dr. Scott Miller, renowned vet and broadcaster, said: "It's been great to be involved in the development of a product that can help dedicated and intelligent owners take control of their pets' health, using technology that we have all become used to during Covid to understand the causes of illness in the comfort of their own home. 

“Vets in the UK are overwhelmed at present, so common sense and pragmatic pet parents using at-home tests is helpful in reducing anxiety in animals, reducing pressure on Vet teams while better understanding the animals they love.

“While nothing can replace a trained veterinarian's comprehensive care and treatment, at-home testing empowers pet owners to make informed decisions about their furry friends' health needs. It's an excellent first step that can either provide peace of mind or signal the need for professional veterinary attention."

For further information visit https://www.labrador.fyi/