laboratory Flashcards
on the urine dipstick, she parameters are not applicable to animals?
nitrites, leucocytes and specific gravity
What do you need to remember when switching to a x100 magnification on a microscope?
- add oil
- fulling open the aperture
- dont remember to move SLOWLLY once the oil is applied
For a hair pluck or skin scrape, should the light and condenser be high or low
both need to be LOW
- decrease light
- lower the condender
for haematology what tube do you use?
EDTA
for biochem what tube do you use?
none
for blood smears and blood PCV which tube do you use?
tube containing EDTA
(except for avian/reptile patients)
why do you need to fill up to the line on the tube?
it is to do with the ratio of preservative
For blood smears on avian/reptiles which tubes do you use?
tubes containing lithium heparin
can you keep blood in the freezer?
no, must be in the fridge
blood samples naturally break down and hemolyse after … hours
48hours
what is plasma?
serum + clotting factors
what is serum?
plasma - clotting factors
FNA are stained in what stain?
Diff-quick
Name the different reasons for the plasma to be different colours
Can we expect greyhounds, or racehorse have higher PCV?
Yes, due to increased oxygen demand
If an animal is dehydrated how will it affect its PCV?
it will increase it
if a PCV is decreased what could that potentially signify?
animal is anemic
what does PCV tell us?
RBC %
normal PCV range for a dog
37-55%
normal PCV range for a cat
26-45%
normal PCV range for a horse
30-38%
after blood has clotted what is this part?
serum
if you add an anticoagulant and spin it down, what is the liquid portion called?
plasma
what is an ideal blood smear?
- one cell thick
- has a feathered edge
- has a monolayer
- has been allowed to dry adequately
- has been made from blood at room temperature
- has been collected in an anti-coagulant
- has been made from blood that has been inverted gently
What advice do you need to give an owner about collecting a urine sample?
- give a receptacle
- ask them to label with patient name, date of collection and to bring into clinic ASAP
- sample must be kept cool in the fridge
urine containers for collection can contain nothing or …
boric acid
why do some urine containers contain boric acid?
- to prevent bacterial growth
If you want to do a culture and sensitivity on a urine sample should you use a plain tube or a tube containing boric acid?
a tube containing boric acid
why should urine samples be kept in the fridge?
because artefact crystals can be formed
Can you rely on specific gravity on a dipstick?
no
Can you rely on bilirubin reading on a dipstick ?
yes
Can you rely on a leucocyte reading on a dipstick?
no
what does ERY signify on a dipstick?
erythrocytes- non hemolysed
Can you use a glass jam jar for urine collection?
Only if it has been in the dishwasher (including the lid)
what are the cons of using boric acid in a urine sample?
- dissolves any crystals present in the sample
- affects pH
