- IDEXX says Catalyst proBNP is the first dual-species, in-clinic NT-proBNP test for both cats and dogs.
- The quantitative test is designed to support cardiac screening, diagnosis and disease monitoring, including assessment of patients with respiratory distress and preoperative evaluations.
- Catalyst proBNP runs on IDEXX’s Catalyst platform, which has a global installed base of nearly 80,000 analyzers.
- Results are available within minutes and integrate with VetConnect PLUS alongside the patient’s diagnostic history and interpretation guidance.
- The test is scheduled to become available in North America in October 2026, with additional international markets to follow.
IDEXX Laboratories is expanding its point-of-care diagnostic portfolio into cardiac disease with the launch of Catalyst proBNP, a quantitative NT-proBNP test designed for use with both cats and dogs.
The in-clinic test measures NT-proBNP, an established cardiac biomarker used to help assess heart disease in companion animals. IDEXX said the test provides quantitative results within minutes and can be run independently or alongside other chemistry testing on its Catalyst platform.
According to IDEXX, Catalyst proBNP is the first and only dual-species, in-clinic NT-proBNP test. It will run on a Catalyst platform with a global installed base of nearly 80,000 analyzers.
The company cited published estimates suggesting cardiac disease affects approximately one in six cats and one in 10 dogs, while noting that cardiac conditions can remain underassessed in general veterinary practice.
Bringing cardiac assessment into the clinic
Catalyst proBNP is intended to give general practitioners access to objective cardiac biomarker information during the patient visit, potentially helping clinicians determine whether additional monitoring, treatment or specialist evaluation is warranted.
NT-proBNP testing can support cardiac screening, diagnosis and disease monitoring in cats and dogs. IDEXX said its new test can help identify subclinical heart disease in cats and support preoperative evaluations.
In healthy small- and medium-breed dogs presenting with a heart murmur, the test can help assess the likelihood of clinically relevant cardiac changes. In both cats and dogs, NT-proBNP can also help veterinarians differentiate cardiac from noncardiac causes of respiratory distress.
“For many veterinarians, cardiac evaluation has often involved delays, added costs, or immediate referrals,” said Mike Erickson, president and CEO of IDEXX. “With Catalyst proBNP, veterinarians get clear, quantitative results in minutes, not days, so they can make informed decisions earlier.”
The company said providing results during the appointment could be particularly useful in settings where veterinarians have limited access to echocardiography or veterinary cardiologists.
Supporting earlier cardiac evaluation
Sonya Gordon, BSc, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (Cardiology), professor of cardiology at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said cardiac disease can be challenging to identify when clinical signs are subtle or absent.
Gordon said quantitative NT-proBNP testing can provide additional information to help identify clinical or subclinical heart disease, support preanesthetic screening and determine when further cardiac evaluation may be appropriate.
IDEXX disclosed that Gordon has received compensation for consulting services provided to the company.
Catalyst proBNP results will integrate with IDEXX VetConnect PLUS, allowing clinicians to view the results alongside a patient’s diagnostic history. The platform will also provide built-in guidance intended to help veterinarians interpret results within the broader clinical picture.
The new assay joins IDEXX’s existing cardiac diagnostic offerings, which include reference laboratory testing, electrocardiograms, advanced imaging, AI-assisted tools and access to specialist expertise.
North American launch planned for October
IDEXX plans to make Catalyst proBNP available in North America beginning in October 2026, followed by launches in international markets.
Beyond its clinical applications, IDEXX sees cardiac diagnostics as a significant commercial opportunity. The company estimates the global cardiac testing opportunity at approximately $4 billion, based on its own February 2026 market analysis.
Information sourced from the company’s press release.
