Clinical Biochemistry

Question 1

What does a typical blood biochemistry panel include?

Answer 1

Liver and kidney parameters
Proteins
Electrolytes
Glucose
Lipids

Question 2

What type of collection tube stops clot formation?

Answer 2

Heparin

Question 3

What type of collection tube is used for a glucose test?

Answer 3

Oxf tube

Question 4

Can EDTA tubes be used for blood sampling?

Answer 4

No - contains potassium, chelates calcium

Question 5

Can citrate tubes be used for blood sampling?

Answer 5

No - works as an anticoagulant by binding calcium

Question 6

What are some inter-individual factors which could affect blood results?

Answer 6

Species
Breed
Age
Sex

Question 7

Does a dog have a higher PCV% than a cat?

Answer 7

Yes (esp. males)

Question 8

How might a growing dog’s blood results differ from an adult dog?

Answer 8

Higher Ca/phosphate/ALP, lower protein

Question 9

What are some intra-individual factors which could affect blood results?

Answer 9

Transient factors in the SAME animal

e.g. diet, drugs, reproductive status, method of blood sampling

Question 10

What conditions can cause lipaemic samples?

Answer 10

diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism

Question 11

What is an icteric sample?

Answer 11

Yellow serum/plasma due to increased bilirubin

Question 12

What is spectrophotometry?

Answer 12

Measurement of colour/turbidity in a solution by determining the amount of light absorbed in the UV/infrared/visible spectrum

Question 13

Does icterus interfere with haematology?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

What is the best way to prevent lipaemic samples?

Answer 14

Take samples from fasted dogs

Question 15

What is the best way to prevent haemolysed samples?

Answer 15

Ensure good collection and sample handling

Question 16

Which substances are conjugated and excreted by the liver?

Answer 16

Bile acids and bilirubin

Question 17

What is hyperbilirubinaemia known as?

Answer 17

Jaundice

Question 18

What is bilirubin?

Answer 18

Breakdown product of haemoglobin

Question 19

What are the 3 main reasons for elevated bile acids?

Answer 19

Decreased hepatic function
Decreased bile flow
Portosystemic shunt

Question 20

What parameters can test for acute canine pancreatitis?

Answer 20

Serum activity of amylase and lipase

Question 21

What is PLI and what does it relate to?

Answer 21

Pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity; related to pancreatic injury

Question 22

What is TLI and what does it relate do?

Answer 22

Trypsinogen-like immunoreactivity; related to pancreatic functional mass

Question 23

What renal parameters are measured?

Answer 23

Urea
Creatinine
SDMA

Question 24

What are the possible causes of increased urea/creatinine?

Answer 24

Dehydration
Renal disease
Heart disease
Urinary obstruction/rupture

Question 25

What is usually the cause of decreased urea?

Answer 25

Liver failure

Question 26

What is usually the cause of decreased creatinine?

Answer 26

Muscle wastage in small dogs/cats

Question 27

Is SDMA level affected by muscle mass?

Answer 27

No

Question 28

What is azotaemia?

Answer 28

Increased serum urea and/or creatinine concentration

Question 29

What is uraemia?

Answer 29

Specific clinical syndrome - vomiting, anorexia, ulceration

Question 30

What 2 things make up the total protein count?

Answer 30

Albumins + globulins

Question 31

What can cause increased total proteins?

Answer 31

Dehydration, inflammation, neoplasia (and falsely with lipaemia)

Question 32

What can cause decreased total proteins?

Answer 32

Haemorrhage, GI disease, renal/hepatic disease

Question 33

What causes increased albumin?

Answer 33

Dehydration

Question 34

What causes decreased albumin?

Answer 34

Inflammation, liver/kidney/GI disease, haemorrhage

Question 35

What can cause high blood glucose?

Answer 35

Diabetes mellitus White coat effect (stress) Steroid therapy

Question 36

What can cause low blood glucose?

Answer 36

``` Wrong blood tube Insulinoma/insulin overdose Some tumours (very metabolically demanding) ```

Question 37

Which anticoagulant is used for clotting tests?

Answer 37

Citrate

Question 38

What are common signs indicating primary/secondary haemostatic disorders?

Answer 38

GI bleeding Epistaxis Haematuria

Question 39

Will a mildly thrombocytopaenic animal bleed spontaneously?

Answer 39

No

Question 40

What is the normal buccal mucosal bleeding time?

Answer 40

Normal dog <3.3 mins (<4 if GA) | GA cat <3.3 mins

Question 41

What does BMBT test for?

Answer 41

All components of platelet plug formation - not fibrin stabilisation

Question 42

What is normal activated clotting time (ACT)?

Answer 42

Dogs <90 seconds | Cats <60 seconds

Question 43

What happens to levels of fibrinogen degradation products and D-dimers when there is clot formation?

Answer 43

Both increase