Idexx Cancer Dx Panel Expands With Mast Cell Tumor Detection

(PRESS RELEASE) WESTBROOK, ME — Most pet owners assume a dog with cancer will look sick. Often, that is not the case. A dog can be eating well, playing fetch, going for walks and acting completely like itself while cancer develops silently. For many families, the first indication that something is wrong comes only after a lump is discovered, symptoms appear, or a veterinary visit reveals an unexpected finding. That reality is helping drive a growing focus in veterinary medicine on identifying signs of disease earlier, during routine wellness care and before obvious symptoms emerge.

Today, IDEXX Laboratories announced the North America availability of mast cell tumor detection as part of the IDEXX Cancer Dx Panel. The expansion builds on canine lymphoma screening and advances Cancer Dx toward a broader multi-cancer screening panel for dogs. Routine blood work already helps veterinarians look for early signs of many health concerns, but historically it has not included cancer screening. Using blood collected alongside routine wellness testing, the panel helps veterinarians identify cancer-associated signals in the body, with no additional blood draw required. Screening is intended for apparently healthy dogs at increased risk for cancer, including all senior dogs (aged 7+) and younger predisposed breeds (aged 4+) such as Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and German Shepherds, among others.

“Mast cell tumors are among the most common canine skin tumors, and many dogs with cancer show few or no noticeable signs early in the disease process,” said Dr. Dana Connell, DVM, IDEXX Medical Affairs and Boarded Veterinary Oncologist. “Cancer Dx brings cancer screening into the routine wellness visit and is designed to prioritize aggressive, clinically significant tumors. It gives veterinarians another tool to gain earlier insight into what may be happening beneath the surface and helps guide conversations with pet owners.”

To help expand access to earlier cancer detection, IDEXX offers the Cancer Dx Panel with lymphoma and mast cell tumor detection to veterinary practices for ~$15 USD (~$21 CAD) when run alongside the most commonly used wellness screening panels from IDEXX Reference Laboratories. Pricing for pet owners is determined by individual veterinary practices.

The IDEXX Cancer Dx mast cell tumor expansion marks the next step in the company’s broader vision for canine cancer screening. Hemangiosarcoma detection will be available to clinics across North America in December 2026, expanding screening for a life-threatening cancer often discovered only after an internal tumor ruptures.

Key facts

• Cancer is common, but detection often happens late. One in four dogs will face cancer in their lifetime.
• Routine bloodwork can now create an opportunity to screen for cancer earlier. The Cancer Dx Panel can be added alongside wellness testing, with no additional blood draw required.
• Screening is recommended for all senior dog (aged 7+) and predisposed breeds (aged 4+).
• Cancer Dx with mast cell tumor detection prioritizes aggressive, high-grade tumors where earlier identification may have the greatest clinical value. Results are cancer specific. A positive result identifies a specific cancer rather than a generalized cancer risk signal and should be followed by clinical assessment and further diagnostic investigation.
• The panel continues to expand. IDEXX Cancer Dx with hemangiosarcoma detection will be available to clinics in North America in December 2026.

About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

IDEXX is a global leader in pet healthcare innovation. Our diagnostic and software products and services create clarity in the complex, constantly evolving world of veterinary medicine. We support longer, fuller lives for pets by delivering insights and solutions that help the veterinary community around the world make confident decisions—to advance medical care, improve efficiency, and build thriving practices. Our innovations also help measure the safety of milk and water across the world and maintain the health and well-being of people and livestock. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a member of the S&P 500 Index. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX employs approximately 11,000 people and offers solutions and products to customers in more than 175 countries and territories. For more information about IDEXX, visit: www.idexx.com.