5. Blood Analysis Flashcards
(32 cards)
What are the blood collection site/s for a Dog?
Cephalic, jugular, saphenous
What are the blood collection site/s for a cat?
Cephalic, jugular
What are the blood collection site/s for a Horse?
Jugular
What are the blood collection site/s for a cow?
jugular, caudal tail vein, mammary vein
What are the blood collection site/s for a rabbit?
ear vein, toenail clip
What are the blood collection site/s for a rodent?
tail vein
What are the blood collection site/s for a lizard?
tail vein
What are the blood collection site/s for a bird?
jugular, wing vein
What collection equipment is needed for blood collection?
- Needle – largest needle that is appropriate for patient size
- Syringe – should be relative to the volume required for sample risk of collapsing vein
- Vacutainer – preferred system; comprises needle, needle holder and collection tubes; multiple samples can be collected from the same blood draw
The amount of blood taken will depend on the quantity required for the test and the hydration status of the patient
What is haematology?
the evaluation of blood cells- a common diagnostic procedure consisting of various tests - CBC
What is a complete blood count test looking at?
Red blood cell counts and indices, white blood cell counts, haemoglobin concentration, PCV, blood smear evaluation, reticulocyte evaluation, total protein, platelet count, bone marrow evaluation.
What can the reference ranges of a CBC be influenced by?
- testing method
- animal species
- age
- gender
- breed/type
- reproductive status
- type of equipment used
What is a whole blood test?
Consists of cells suspended in plasma, once exposed to air the blood will rapidly clot.
if a test is to be performed on whole blood it must be mixed with an anticoagulant chemical immediately after collection to stop clotting.
When mixing gently rock the container as vigorous shaking will lead to damaging the cells and haemolysis (RBC rupture)
What is plasma?
Plasma- the liquid proportion of the blood which can be required for testing when centrifuging an anticoagulated blood sample to separate it from the cells.
What is serum?
Serum refers to plasma minus its fibrinogen, which has been removed during the process of clotting. In this case the blood is collected into a plain tube (no anticoagulant) and allowed to clot. The free fluid that remains around the clot is the serum
How do you use anticoagulants?
Blood tubes are available which contain anticoagulant in the correct proportion for the tube.
Once the tube is full, check the lid is secure,labelit with the patient details and date/time, rotate it gently to mix thoroughly and place in the fridge for storage unless being tested within the hour
These tubes have an expiry date so this must be checked before use.
What kind of anticoagulants are there?
- Heparin- if a plasma sample is required, should not be used for blood film
- EDTA- haematology and cell morphology
- Oxalates and citrates- coagulation tests
- Fluorides- preserve blood glucose
What is a haemocytometer?
A counting chamber used to determine the number of cells per microliter of blood- for the counting of erythrocytes and leukocytes
What is a packed cell volume (PCV)?
A test measuring the proportion of RBC in a centrifuged blood sample.
Whole blood is collected in an anticoagulant (EDTA/heparin).
Particularly useful in the diagnosis of anaemia, dehydration
What is a total protein test?
Visual examination of plasma to detect abnormalities:
- Normal: clear, straw-yellow liquid (horses normally have darker yellow plasma than other species).
- Deep yellow/orange: jaundice, liver disease or haemolysis.
- Red: haemolysis, either due to clinical disease or poor sample collection and/or storage, aged samples.
- Milky white: lipaemia, due to a recent or high-fat meal, liver disease, pancreatic disease.
How can TP be measured?
Either using a refractometer or automated biochemistry analyser.
You measure the plasma present in the capillary tube that has been centrifuged.
What is the process of using a refractometer to measure TP?
Carefully snap one of the tubes above the level of the buffy (WBC/platelets) coat and red blood cells.
Place the plasma on to the stage of a refractometer and look through the eye piece to read the result.
Depending on the model of your refractometer, you will use the scale labelled TP, SP or TS column (usually the one on the right)
The result is reported as g/dL (g/100ml)
Compare the result to the normal reference range for that species.
What can cause a change in TP?
Elevated plasma protein (hyperproteinaemia) - dehydration, chronic inflammation
Lowered plasma protein (hypoproteinaemia)- malnutrition, over-hydration, CHF, liver or kidney disease, blood loss, burns
What are the TP ranges for species?
Horse- 5.6-7.6 g/dL Cattle- 6.7-7.5 g/dL Sheep- 6.0-7.9 g/dL Dog- 5.4-7.5 g/dL Cat- 6.0-7.9 g/dL
