Diagnostic testing enables our team to pinpoint the underlying cause of your pet’s symptoms, diagnosing their condition(s). We want our pet parents to be involved in the decision-making process, and we thoroughly discuss the diagnostic testing we recommend for your pet and their diagnostic test results. Personalizing your pet’s diagnostic plan ensures we avoid unnecessary tests and procedures while leading us to a more personalized and effective treatment plan.

Diagnostic Overview

BRAFF Assay

BRAF and BRAF Plus assay both use PCR to analyze urine samples for specific mutations that indicate bladder cancer. The BRAF assay can detect the V595E mutation of the canine BRAF gene, which is present in 80-85% of urinary carcinomas in dogs. The BRAF Plus assay takes things further by testing for changes in the DNA copy of chromosomes 13, 19, and 36. This allows it to detect approximately two-thirds of urinary carcinomas that are negative on the BRAF assay, making it a highly accurate tool for diagnosing bladder cancer in dogs. Together, both tests are 95% sensitive and >99% specific for detecting urinary and prostatic carcinomas, making them a reliable diagnostic option.

A specific amount of urine is needed to perform the test. A pet parent will be instructed to collect a urine sample at home using a special collection kit provided by their Pet Health veterinarian. The kit typically includes a sterile container and instructions for urine collection. The pet parent will be instructed to collect a midstream urine sample, which means the pet is allowed to urinate for a few seconds before the sample is collected. It is important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure the sample is collected correctly. Once the correct sample volume is collected, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis.