Proper handling of the specimens from the time they are obtained until they are received in the laboratory is essential if optimal results are expected. The accuracy of Clinical Pathology tests and their interpretation is primarily dependent upon the quality of the submitted material.
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Hematology Test
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Blood should be collected in EDTA tubes. Tubes MUST be
at least 1/3 full. Mix samples immediately after collection.
Check for clots and redraw if clots are present. Make 2 peripheral
blood smears. Allow to air dry and send with the EDTA
specimen. High temperatures and freezing must be avoided. Ship
overnight in an appropriate container.
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Chemistry Test
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Collect blood in sterile red top clot tubes. Allow the
blood to clot for 15 to 30 minutes and then centrifuge at a high speed for
10 minutes. Remove the clear serum from the clot tube and transfer
into a separate tube. Ship overnight with an ice pack.
NOTE: use of heparin plasma may be acceptable for some chemistry
tests, but please call the lab for more details
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Bile Acid - Liver Function Test
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Fasting Bile Acid - Fast patient for 8 to 12 hours, collect
clot tube. Centrifuge and remove serum from the clot. Check
sample for hemolysis and lipemia and redraw if necessary. Post
Prandial Bile Acid - After collecting the fasting sample feed a small
amount of low fat food (KD or ID is recommended). For dogs 5 lbs.
and under feed 1 tablespoon; medium size dogs feed 1/4 cup; and dogs over
50 lbs. feed 1/2 cup. Observe patient long enough to insure that the
food is retained. Two hours post feeding collect a second clot
tube sample. Centrifuge and separate serum from clot. DO NOT
SUBMIT IN SERUM SEPARATOR TUBES. Submit labeled samples to the
laboratory. Bile acids are stable for 2 to 3 days at room
temperature.
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Coagulation Tests (PT,PTT & D-Dimer
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These test MUST be collected in a Sodium Citrate tube (Blue
Top Tube). The ratio of blood to anticoagulant is critical.
The tube must be full. Plasma must be centrifuged and removed
from cells within 30 minutes. Freeze plasma and ship frozen on gel
packs overnight.
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Urinalysis
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From both a chemical and cytological standpoint marked
changes can occur in urine if testing is delayed. To minimize the
affects, the following procedure should be followed: Send in a
red top tube or other sterile leak-proof container. Air-dried urine
sediment smears may be made and sent. Keep urine cool
and send on cold packs.
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Cortisol
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Submit 0.5 ml plasma or serum separated within 30 minutes of
sampling.
ACTH Stimulation Test: For dogs or cats collect a baseline sample
and administer ACTH gel, 2.2 IU/kg, i.m. Collect post samples at 1
hour for cats, and 2 hours for dogs. Another protocol is to
administer synthetic ACTH (e.g. Cortosyn) 0.25mg per dog or 0.125 mg for
cats and dogs smaller than 5kg, i.v. and obtain a post sample at 1 hour.
The ACTH stimulation test is the test of choice to confirm
hypoadencorticism and to monitor Lysodrem treatment. The ACTH stimulation
test may be used to screen for hyperadenocorticism, particularly if there
is suspicion of iatrogenic hyperadenocorticism.
Low Dose Dexamethasone Test: For dogs, collect a baseline sample
and administer 0.01mg/kg dexamethasone i.m. Obtain a first post
sample at 4 hours and another at 8 hours. The Low Dose Dex. Test is
another choice for screeninf for spontaneous hyperadenocorticism.
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Cytology - Peritoneal, Thoracic and other body fluids.
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Fluids should be transported in a lavender top tube (EDTA).
Submit 2 air-dried smears with the sample. Do NOT send in formalyn.
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Cytology - Fine Needle Aspirates or Impression Smears.
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Aspirates, or smears should be submitted on a clean
and labeled slides. Allow to air-dry (DO NOT USE A
FIXATIVE). More than one smear is preferable with samples from 2 to
3 different areas of the lesion.
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Avian Samples
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Call the laboratory for drawing and submission instructions.
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