Easily check your cat's oral health at home. Simple test kit “Open Your Mouth”
If you are concerned about your cat's bad breath, this is a must-see. You can measure the pH in your mouth and hemoglobin from bleeding by saliva alone. You can check your cat's mouth in just 60 seconds. It is generally known that one of the main causes of bad breath, bleeding, and pH fluctuation is the changes of the oral condition due to periodontal disease. * This product cannot be used to test for periodontal disease. This product is not an in-vitro diagnostic product. It cannot be used for preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes.
General Precautions
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This product is not an in-vitro diagnostic. Do not use this for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in humans or animals.
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Please follow the instructions in this manual.
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Once the swab is in contact with the reaction area, do not put it in the mouth again.
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Eating before the test may affect the results.
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Please keep this product out of reach of children.
Intended use
Measurement of pH and detection of hemoglobin in saliva
< General view of test items >
It is generally known that acidity can lead to tooth decay and bad breath. It is said that high alkalinity makes it easier for tartar to build up on teeth. Let's review oral care.
Measurement principle
1. pH
pH indicator method
2. Hemoglobin
Peroxidase-like activity of hemoglobin (Hb)
Operational Notes
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Properties of the test samples, method of sampling
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Wait at least 30 minutes after eating, drinking, or teeth brushing before testing. Drinks and meals containing vitamin C which may have a negative effect on hemoglobin levels.
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Do not use products that have expired.
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Hemoglobin test strips react to myoglobin in the same way as hemoglobin.
Operation Procedures
At the beginning
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After opening the kit, read the instruction manual carefully and check for missing or damaged accessories.
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Necessary instruments, equipment, etc.
A clock or a timer (not included in the kit)
《Preparation before testing》
Cats may not like having the swab in their mouth the first time you use it. Please do not push too much and gradually let the cat get used to being touched around the mouth while petting and massaging it at the same time.
The test should be performed at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking. Open the kit just before testing and do not touch the result part.
Close the cat's mouth along the dotted line on the test paper and press it several times with your fingers to fully soak its saliva.
Soak the cotton swab thoroughly in the cat's saliva.
Open the test paper and remove the cotton swab. The cotton swab contains reagent so do not reuse it.
Place the saliva-soaked cotton swab along the swab guide on the test mount.
0 seconds after the saliva is soaked, judge the color of the result part by comparing it with the color sample. If the color of the result part is between the color samples, determine the results as the intermediate value.
Judgment of Measurement Results
Please judge the color by the color sample printed on the test paper, not this paper.
※ Symbols of +/- in the Hb result indicates the value below.
-：Not detected; ＋： 0.03 mg/dL; 2+：0.15 mg/dL; 3+：0.75 mg/dL1
< Notes on Result Judgment >
• Please be aware that if saliva is colored due to food, etc., the test paper may show abnormal color and affect the judgment.
• Test results should be judged under a bright neutral white light source.
• Prolonged contact with saliva may cause elution of the reagent from the result part or fall-off of the result part. In this case, please do the test again with a new test paper.
Kit contents
Instruction manual *1
Test strip*2
Sterile cotton swab*4
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Precautions for Use or Handling
1. Precautions for use
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Store the product in the designated method, avoiding direct sunlight, high temperature and humidity.
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Do not use products that have passed the expiration date.
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Use the test strip immediately after opening.
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Do not touch the result part of the test paper before use.
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Do not lick the result part or put it in your mouth. In case of accidental contact with your mouth, immediately rinse with plenty of water and seek medical attention if necessary.
2. Precautions for disposing
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Dispose of the used kit as combustible waste according to the regulations of each local government.
Storage Method/Expiration Date
Storage method
Store at 4 ~ 30℃
Expiration date
12 months from manufacture date
References
1. Kanai Masamitsu, ”Kanai's Manual of Clinical Laboratory Medicine”, 34th ed 633（2015）
2. Hanada Nobuhiro “Research on standardization of saliva tests “, 8020 Promotion Foundation, Report on Designated Research Projects
3. Hiroshi Saito et al., "Studies of the correlation between hydrogen ion concentration in experimentally induced periodontal pockets and the pathological feature of gingiva in cats" Jpn. J. Oral Biol., 30: 508-523, 1988.
4. M.I. Kouki et. al., "Chronic Gingivostomatitis with Esophagitis in Cats", J Vet Intern Med 2017;31:1673–1679