Hematology: Fibrinogen

Question 1

When do fibrinogen levels increase?

Answer 1

During inflammation

Question 2

When are fibrinogen levels useful in cattle?

Answer 2

Dairy cattle for early mastitis signs

Question 3

How are fibrinogen levels measured?

Answer 3

By heating plasma at 56°C

Fibrinogen pellets out but other plasma proteins stay suspended

Question 4

What is the procedure for measuring fibrinogen levels?

Answer 4

1. Spin two hematocrits, Measure one total protein
2. Incubate other hematocrit in 56°C water bath for five minutes
3. Respin heated hematocrit, measure TP
4. Fibrinogen level is the difference between the two total protein numbers.
   Record as mg/dL