Clinical Biochemistry Flashcards
What does a typical blood biochemistry panel include?
Liver and kidney parameters Proteins Electrolytes Glucose Lipids
What type of collection tube stops clot formation?
Heparin
What type of collection tube is used for a glucose test?
Oxf tube
Can EDTA tubes be used for blood sampling?
No - contains potassium, chelates calcium
Can citrate tubes be used for blood sampling?
No - works as an anticoagulant by binding calcium
What are some inter-individual factors which could affect blood results?
Species
Breed
Age
Sex
Does a dog have a higher PCV% than a cat?
Yes (esp. males)
How might a growing dog’s blood results differ from an adult dog?
Higher Ca/phosphate/ALP, lower protein
What are some intra-individual factors which could affect blood results?
Transient factors in the SAME animal
e.g. diet, drugs, reproductive status, method of blood sampling
What conditions can cause lipaemic samples?
diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism
What is an icteric sample?
Yellow serum/plasma due to increased bilirubin
What is spectrophotometry?
Measurement of colour/turbidity in a solution by determining the amount of light absorbed in the UV/infrared/visible spectrum
Does icterus interfere with haematology?
No
What is the best way to prevent lipaemic samples?
Take samples from fasted dogs
What is the best way to prevent haemolysed samples?
Ensure good collection and sample handling
Which substances are conjugated and excreted by the liver?
Bile acids and bilirubin
What is hyperbilirubinaemia known as?
Jaundice
What is bilirubin?
Breakdown product of haemoglobin
What are the 3 main reasons for elevated bile acids?
Decreased hepatic function
Decreased bile flow
Portosystemic shunt
What parameters can test for acute canine pancreatitis?
Serum activity of amylase and lipase
What is PLI and what does it relate to?
Pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity; related to pancreatic injury
What is TLI and what does it relate do?
Trypsinogen-like immunoreactivity; related to pancreatic functional mass
What renal parameters are measured?
Urea
Creatinine
SDMA
What are the possible causes of increased urea/creatinine?
Dehydration
Renal disease
Heart disease
Urinary obstruction/rupture
What is usually the cause of decreased urea?
Liver failure
What is usually the cause of decreased creatinine?
Muscle wastage in small dogs/cats
Is SDMA level affected by muscle mass?
No
What is azotaemia?
Increased serum urea and/or creatinine concentration
What is uraemia?
Specific clinical syndrome - vomiting, anorexia, ulceration
What 2 things make up the total protein count?
Albumins + globulins
What can cause increased total proteins?
Dehydration, inflammation, neoplasia (and falsely with lipaemia)
What can cause decreased total proteins?
Haemorrhage, GI disease, renal/hepatic disease
What causes increased albumin?
Dehydration
What causes decreased albumin?
Inflammation, liver/kidney/GI disease, haemorrhage
What can cause high blood glucose?
Diabetes mellitus
White coat effect (stress)
Steroid therapy
What can cause low blood glucose?
Wrong blood tube Insulinoma/insulin overdose Some tumours (very metabolically demanding)
Which anticoagulant is used for clotting tests?
Citrate
What are common signs indicating primary/secondary haemostatic disorders?
GI bleeding
Epistaxis
Haematuria
Will a mildly thrombocytopaenic animal bleed spontaneously?
No
What is the normal buccal mucosal bleeding time?
Normal dog <3.3 mins (<4 if GA)
GA cat <3.3 mins
What does BMBT test for?
All components of platelet plug formation - not fibrin stabilisation
What is normal activated clotting time (ACT)?
Dogs <90 seconds
Cats <60 seconds
What happens to levels of fibrinogen degradation products and D-dimers when there is clot formation?
Both increase
