When your dog can’t tell you what’s wrong, don’t you wish you could just take a look inside and see for yourself? ALICAM® from Infiniti Medical is a revolutionary device that provides valuable insights into your dog’s digestive health. Rather than undergo an uncomfortable, complicated procedure or test, your dog simply swallows a vitamin-size capsule, which allows your veterinarian to see images of its entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
ALICAM is an easy-to-swallow capsule that gives veterinarians the imaging data they need to make a diagnosis and begin treatment, without forcing dogs to undergo anesthesia, a long and uncomfortable procedure, or a difficult recovery process. The capsule is simply retrieved and returned for analysis.
If your dog is suffering from symptoms such as those listed below, or you’re simply curious about the overall health of your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, contact your veterinarian to see if ALICAM is right for your pet.
You probably have some questions about the procedure and why your veterinarian has chosen an ambulatory light-based imaging (ALI) procedure. Our FAQs below will answer many of the questions you may have, as will the ALICAM™ Owner Instructions for Use. We hope this information is helpful, but keep in mind your veterinarian is always the best source of knowledge when it comes to your dog’s specific medical condition.
We have an 8-year-old golden retriever named Layla. We have had multiple pets over the years, so we know that sometimes when a dog is acting even a little bit sick, it can indicate that something very serious is going on. That is why we became so worried when Layla began to lose weight and her belly became painful. The last thing we wanted to do was wait to find out what was wrong.
We took her to our veterinarian right away. X-rays were normal, as was her blood work. We even went to another clinic to get an ultrasound, and that was normal. We were still worried because something was just not right.
Our veterinarian recommended ALICAM. It was such an easy choice to do this for Layla because it is so simple. We were happy and relieved when it showed that she had a small ulcer because it meant that she did not have anything more serious. We treated her with medications for 2 months and then used ALICAM again to show that the ulcer had healed. We could not be happier. Peace of mind is everything.
Ambulatory light-based imaging (ALI) allows your veterinarian to visualize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of your dog, an area that may be difficult to image through alternative methods. Your dog swallows a capsule about the size of a large vitamin. While the capsule navigates the GI tract, it takes thousands of images via miniature cameras. The images it captures can be reviewed by a veterinarian who can determine a proper diagnosis.
Diseases that affect the digestive tract of dogs are very common. Since dogs cannot tell us what they are feeling, veterinarians often rely on different types of tests to help establish a diagnosis and determine the proper therapy. ALI can help determine what is wrong with your dog. Compared to other tests, it is much easier for a veterinarian to use and much easier for your dog to undergo. It is therefore one of the first tests that may performed. ALI may establish a definitive diagnosis and treatment or it may indicate that more tests need to be done. ALI is so simple and convenient, it is a good place to start if your dog is suspected to have issues with its digestive tract.
ALICAM is appropriate to use for all dog breeds. Your veterinarian should decide whether your pet is suited to swallow and eventually pass the capsule. Use of ALICAM is discouraged if your dog is pregnant, has a known swallowing disorder, or has known or suspected gastrointestinal obstructions, strictures, or fistula.
No, ALICAM is designed specifically for use in dogs, and should never be ingested by a human.
Very little patient preparation is required before administering the capsule. We generally recommend that the animal not eat any food or treats or play with chew toys for 16-24 hours before the procedure and 8 hours after ALICAM is given to allow the capsule to get an unobstructed view of the gastrointestinal tract. Your veterinarian will also provide you with specific instructions to obtain the best possible images. Failure to follow these instructions may lead to having to repeat the procedure. It is also important to inform your veterinarian of any and all medications your dog may be taking.
The veterinarian will place the capsule on the back of your dog’s tongue and then lift its chin so the dog swallows it without chewing. This is the same technique utilized to give a dog a pill.
ALICAM may be performed as an initial diagnostic test, a follow-up after a period of treatment or therapy, or to further evaluate your dog’s condition after another type of test. Some common symptoms that warrant the use of ALICAM include weight loss, reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, food intolerance, constipation, abdominal pain, and bleeding.
With limited exceptions, your dog can simply return to its normal activities once it swallows the capsule. It generally takes between 3 and 30 hours for the dog to pass the capsule. There are select activities that your dog should not do while the ALICAM capsule is in its system, including having an MRI exam and boarding an aircraft.
The capsule, once recovered, should be cleaned per the ALICAM™ Owner Instructions for Use and stored in the provided vial. The vial should then be mailed per your veterinarian’s direction (in most cases, to Infiniti Medical) for a detailed interpretation. Your veterinarian will receive a report that includes images and treatment recommendations. This will become part of your dog’s medical record.
The most likely explanation is that the dog passed the capsule unnoticed. In some cases, it may be normal for the capsule to be retained longer than 72 hours. In the unlikely event the capsule is not retrieved within 72 hours, we recommend that you contact your veterinarian, who can provide additional guidance.
ALICAM is sold exclusively to veterinarians to ensure the proper administration and monitoring of the dog. If you’d like to talk to your veterinarian about ALICAM and its use in your dog, fill out the form on the Contact Us page and Infiniti Medical will send you a short information packet that you can print and review with your veterinarian.