Question 1

What happens next?

Accepted Answer

How often should my pet repeat their test?
The ideal frequency depends on your pet’s health goals and the type of test performed, but as a general guide:
- Gut and oral microbiome tests are often repeated every six to twelve months, or sooner if there have been significant changes in diet, medication or health.
- Nutrient, stress or thyroid screens may be repeated every six months to track improvement and adjust diet or supplements.
- Omega-3 Index testing can be repeated every three to six months to monitor changes after introducing new foods or omega-rich supplements.

Your pet’s report includes recommendations on when follow-up testing may be useful based on their individual results. Regular re-testing helps track trends over time and shows whether lifestyle and diet adjustments are making a difference.

If your pet develops new symptoms or experiences a change in health between tests, speak with your veterinarian or contact our team for advice before re-testing.

Can you prescribe medication based on my results?
No. Diagnosis and treatment should always be managed by your veterinarian or usual health practitioner. i-screenPets provides screening insights designed to guide proactive care, not to replace medical diagnosis. Our role is to provide clear, evidence-based information that helps you and your vet make informed decisions about your pet’s ongoing health and wellbeing.

Can I share my test results with my vet?
Yes. We encourage you to share your pet’s results with your veterinarian. You can download or print a copy of your report from your i-screenPets dashboard or contact us if you’d like a copy of the laboratory results emailed directly to you.

Many veterinarians appreciate the additional context our reports provide and can use this information alongside their own assessments to guide future care.

If your pet becomes unwell or develops new symptoms, please contact your regular veterinarian. i-screenPets testing is designed to empower proactive care and support long-term wellness alongside your vet’s guidance.

Question 2

Ordering your test

Accepted Answer

Why do I have to complete a health profile?
Your pet’s health profile allows us to interpret test results in context and provide personalised, meaningful recommendations. Understanding your pet’s current diet, lifestyle, and medical history helps our clinical team identify what may be driving certain results and how best to support balance.

For example, if a microbiome report shows low levels of certain bacteria, the dietary information you provide helps us tailor recommendations. A raw-fed dog, for instance, may need different prebiotic food suggestions than one on a cooked or dry diet.

The health profile ensures that every interpretation we provide is relevant to your individual pet rather than a generic summary. All information is treated as confidential and securely stored in line with our privacy policy.

Will you share my information with anyone?
Your information is managed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and protected through encrypted systems. We only share data with accredited laboratories and qualified professionals involved in processing or reviewing your pet’s results within the i-screenPets platform.

You always control whether to share your pet’s report with your veterinarian or others involved in their care. You can read more in our privacy policy.

Why do you need my mobile number?
Your contact number helps us reach you promptly if we need clarification about your pet’s sample or to notify you about your results. Most updates are sent by email, but if something requires urgent attention, having a mobile contact ensures we can respond quickly and avoid delays.

Question 3

Your results

Accepted Answer

At i-screenPets, our mission goes beyond simply measuring numbers. Every test is designed to give you actionable insights you can use to improve your pet’s wellbeing, not just data to file away. We want every pet parent to understand why something might be out of range, what it means, and how to support change through diet, lifestyle, or supplements.

When will I receive my pet’s results?
Most results are available within three weeks from the time your pet’s sample reaches our partner laboratory. You will receive email updates when your kit is registered, when the sample arrives, and when your personalised report is ready.
If a test requires longer processing, for example microbiome sequencing, this will be clearly indicated on the product page.

What will my pet’s results show?
Your results are displayed in an easy to read report with clear interpretation and next steps. Each report highlights key findings and how they relate to your pet’s overall health, context and trends showing how your pet compares to healthy reference ranges, and actionable recommendations to help you make meaningful change.

We do not just show “high” or “low” results. We explain what that means for your pet’s system. For example, if your dog’s gut microbiome shows low levels of certain beneficial bacteria, your report may recommend specific prebiotic foods to encourage their growth, such as beetroot, oats or dandelion root. If oral bacteria associated with inflammation are elevated, you may receive suggestions around diet, oral hygiene or natural actives that support balance.

Who reviews my pet’s results?
All results are reviewed by qualified health professionals experienced in veterinary and integrative science. Our focus is to help you interpret patterns within your pet’s data and provide clear, evidence-based recommendations you can act on.
Please note we cannot diagnose or prescribe medication. We recommend discussing your report with your veterinarian for any medical concerns.

Can I discuss my pet’s results in more detail?
Yes. You can book a 15 minute results discussion for targeted interpretation, or a 30 minute extended consultation which includes a brief health history review and tailored support plan. These calls are optional, as every report already includes detailed interpretation and actionable steps.

Are my pet’s results secure?
Your information is managed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APP) using the latest encryption technologies. We are committed to protecting your personal information and only share your data with our health professionals who review your results within our platform.

Can I see previous results?
Yes. We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles and use end to end encryption to protect your data. We only share your information with accredited laboratories and authorised health professionals who interpret your pet’s results. You always control whether to share your report with your veterinarian.

What if something is outside the reference range?
Reference ranges are developed from healthy populations, meaning around five percent of healthy pets may fall slightly outside them. We help you interpret whether a result is clinically relevant and what proactive steps you can take to bring balance back, from diet adjustments and targeted prebiotics to follow up testing if required.

Our difference
We believe testing should empower, not overwhelm. Each i-screenPets report is crafted to give you clarity about what is going on inside your pet’s body, confidence in taking the next step, and practical recommendations you can apply straight away. Knowing is just the beginning. Acting on insight is where real health change begins

Question 4

Choosing your test

Accepted Answer

I’m not sure which test is right for me. Can I get some advice? Absolutely. Contact us with information about your health concerns or goals, and one of our qualified medical professionals will get back to you with advice about which of our tests is right for you. Can I use i-screenPets instead of going to my vet? i-screen doesn't replace advice from your usual healthcare providers. Our service is designed to supplement the care you would receive from your vet or other health professionals rather than replace it. Does my test kit expire? Test kits are valid for 6 months from the purchase date. Please contact us if you need an extension.

Question 5

Collecting your sample

Accepted Answer

Does my pet need to stop taking medications or supplements before the test? Yes, this may be required for certain tests. Antibiotics, probiotics and other gut supplements can temporarily influence the microbiome and affect results. For stool microbiome testing, we recommend stopping all gut-related supplements for at least 48 hours before collecting your pet’s sample, unless advised otherwise by your veterinarian. Specific instructions for each test panel are included within your kit and on the corresponding test page. Please check those details carefully before collecting your sample. If you are unsure about any medication or supplement, you are welcome to contact us for guidance. Do I need to make an appointment for a blood collection? If you have selected a test that requires a blood sample, you will need to arrange an appointment for the collection. If you are located in Melbourne, complimentary blood collection is available at Mont Albert Vet Clinic and Canterbury Vet Clinic. You can book online at montalbertvet.com.au or canterburyvet.com.au and bring your i-screenPets submission paperwork to the appointment. Your local veterinarian can also perform the blood collection if you prefer, although a fee may apply.

Question 6

i-screenPets for your business or practice

Accepted Answer

Can I use i-screenPets in my clinic? Certainly, we offer health screening and testing services to a broad range of vet clinics. You can register for a vet practitioner account here.

Question 7

How should results be interpreted?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory results should always be interpreted in the context of the individual patient.

For mNGS in particular, detection of microbial DNA does not necessarily indicate active infection or establish causation. Results should be considered alongside clinical signs, history, physical examination and other diagnostic findings.

Where clinically indicated, confirmatory testing or additional investigation may be recommended.

Question 8

How accurate is the testing?

Accepted Answer

Accuracy depends on the testing methodology. All testing is performed using validated laboratory workflows with appropriate quality controls.

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing (mNGS)
Unlike targeted PCR, mNGS does not have a single sensitivity, specificity or “accuracy” percentage that applies to every organism. Performance varies with organism abundance, sample type, sequencing depth and available reference data.

Validation studies have demonstrated >80% analytical sensitivity and specificity, and >90% for the vast majority of organisms assessed. Performance is generally highest for well-characterised organisms present at higher abundance. Low-abundance organisms close to the limit of detection may have lower classification confidence.

The key advantage of mNGS is its ability to assess thousands of microbial targets simultaneously without pre-selecting a specific pathogen, while providing species-level resolution and broader microbial context.

Targeted pathogen PCR
PCR assays are designed to detect specific pathogens and therefore have more clearly defined analytical performance. Assays are validated for sensitivity, specificity, limit of detection, precision and reproducibility, with analytical performance generally >99%.

Vitamin D & Omega-3 Index
Testing is performed using LC-MS/MS, a highly specific analytical methodology. Analytical sensitivity and specificity are typically >99%, with accuracy supported by internationally recognised NIST Standard Reference Materials and certified reference values.

Question 9

Is the laboratory NATA accredited?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Majority of our testing is performed by NutriPATH Pathology, a NATA-accredited laboratory (Accreditation No. 20770) operating to ISO 15189 laboratory quality and competence standards.

NATA accreditation applies to defined areas of testing within the laboratory’s accredited scope. Laboratory quality is further supported by validated procedures, internal controls, quality assurance processes and ongoing performance monitoring.

Specific information regarding the accreditation status, validation and methodology of individual tests is available on request.

How can we help?

How often should my pet repeat their test?

Can you prescribe medication based on my results?

Can I share my test results with my vet?