Various Sampling Flashcards
How do you evaluate for ear mites?
Look like coffee grounds. Slide with mineral oil, get chunk of sample, and mix with oil. Evaluate at 40-100x
what is dermatophytes and how do you evaluate for dermatophytes?
Ringworm (fungus). Put hair sample in Dermatophytes test medium (DTM) and culture. Visual exam (circular, crusty lesions)
What are woods lamp used for?
Dermatophytes. Allow to warm up for 5 minutes and shine over hair in dark room. Should be clear, apple green
What colour should dermatophytes shine under woods lamp?
Apple green
How do you perform a DTM test?
Pull hair from around lesion with forceps and push sample partially below medium. Growth by day 5-7
What can you use swabs for regarding sampling?
Fistulas, vaginal collections, surgery sites. When you can’t use scrapings or aspirates. Moisten swab before collecting sample, then gently rub across slide to evaluate
Is heat fixing necessary for ear swabs?
No - depends on your clinic
What are the downsides to heat fixing?
Excessive heat can damage cells
T/F it is only considered a sterile collection if done at a sterile surgical site
True. Vaginal cytologies not sterile
How do you perform an impression smear?
Take slide and put directly on external tissue. Can also use tissue removed from necropsy or surgery
What are the downsides to an impression smear?
Few cells collected, large amounts of contamination, only reflect a secondary bacterial inflammation, can hinder neoplasia diagnosis
What is the Tzank method for imprints?
Take original sample, clean and debride wound and take another impression. Usually 3 slides of each made
What can you use a fine needle biopsy for?
Collection from masses, lymph nodes, nodular lesions, internal organs.
How do you prepare a site for fine needle biopsy?
Surgical preparation if using for microbiology testing or body cavity (peritoneal, thoracic, joints). If not, alcohol prep similar to vaccination
Shave area
What needle should you use for FNB?
Ideally 25G. Larger can get tissue stuck and block the needle. Larger than 21G can cause blood contamination. Smaller the mass = smaller the syringe and needle
What are the two types of fine needle collection?
Aspiration and non-aspiration
How do you perform an aspiration?
Hold mass firmly to aid in control of the direction of the needs. Needle with syringe attached in introduced to celter of the mass, draw back plunger until ~3/4 back.
Who typically preforms tissue biopsy?
DVM
What should you be careful of when prepping for a tissue biopsy?
If sample needs to be skin & underneath, have to be careful when clipping fur to ensure you don’t cause inflammation & false results
What is important when sending out a tissue biopsy
Abnormal tissue, transitional zone, normal tissue. To compare normal to abnormal
How do you perform a punch biopsy
Aseptic prep with local anesthesia (if large area). Place biopsy and spin one direction until you have sample. Pull straight up
What is centesis?
Introduction of a needle into a body cavity to collect fluid
How do you preform a centesis?
Aseptic prep. Prepare smears quickly and save portion in EDTA. 21G needle with 60ml syringe. Reocrd total volume collected & gross examination (color & turbidity).
What can effect turbidity of centesis fluid?
Protein concentration & cell numbers. Inflammation, peripheral blood contamination
How do you perform a tracheal wash?
Passage of catheter through endotracheal tube in anesthetized patient. Can also be done through nasal passage or skin on trachea.
What is important for tracheal washes?
Know how much fluid you put in and make sure you pull AT LEAST that amount back out
When should fluid smears be prepared?
Immediately after collection
What is a compression smear?
Sample on one slide, place other slide on top and pull apart to create smear on each slide.
Which sample is ideal for viscous samples?
Starfish smear
What is a line smear?
Similar to blood smear, but pull straight up at the end to create concentrated line of cells.
What is a wedge smear?
What is used for blood smear. Feathered edge
How can you do external parasite evaluation?
Flea combs - will pick up adult fleas, eggs, and/or flea dirt
