Sample Collection And Storage 💉

Question 1

What are the four ways to collect urine samples?

Answer 1

• Free catch
• Manual expression
• Urinary catheterization
• Cystocentesis

Question 2

Which method gives the most representative and accurate urine sample?

Answer 2

Cystocentesis

Question 3

In what type of container should urine samples be collected and stored?

Answer 3

Plain universal containers

Question 4

What type of container should be used for bacterial culture of urine samples?

Answer 4

Boric acid

Question 5

What should be done if there is a delay in testing urine samples?

Answer 5

Store in the fridge

Question 6

From where should fresh faecal samples be collected?

Answer 6

Collect from the garden or directly from the anus

Question 7

How many separate faecal samples are usually required for a pooled sample?

Answer 7

Three separate faecal samples over three days.

Question 8

Why are enema samples not suitable for faecal analysis?

Answer 8

Due to dilution and oil or lubricant contamination

Question 9

In what type of container should faecal samples be collected?

Answer 9

Wide necked container with an attached spoon in the lid

Question 10

What should be done with faecal samples until analysis can be completed?

Answer 10

Keep in the fridge

Question 11

What are some techniques used for faecal analysis?

Answer 11

• Macroscopic
• Commercial test kits
• Bacterial culture and sensitivity

Question 12

What does macroscopic analysis of faecal samples evaluate?

Answer 12

Appearance, colour and texture

Question 13

What bacteria can be detected using bacterial culture and sensitivity in faecal samples?

Answer 13

• Salmonella sp.
• E. coli

Question 14

What are the two main methods of parasite identification?

Answer 14

McMaster technique and Baermann test

McMaster technique is used for detecting ova, while Baermann test is for detecting larvae.

Question 15

What is the McMaster technique used for?

Answer 15

Detection of ova (eggs) within faeces

This method involves mixing faeces with a strong saline solution in a McMaster chamber.

Question 16

Describe the Baermann test.

Answer 16

It is used for the detection of parasite larvae by suspending faeces in a gauze pouch for 24 hours

Larvae migrate into the fluid, which is then examined under a microscope.

Question 17

What types of samples are taken to assess dermatological conditions?

Answer 17

Skin and hair samples

These samples should be taken in the current condition of the skin without preparation.

Question 18

What precautions should be taken when collecting skin and hair samples?

Answer 18

Avoid contamination and wear personal protective equipment

This includes gloves and aprons.

Question 19

What are coat brushings used for?

Answer 19

Detection of surface mites, lice, fleas, and flea dirt

Coat brushings involve brushing the coat with a fine-toothed comb and collecting debris on white paper.

Question 20

What does flea dirt look like?

Answer 20

Small black dots that turn red when moistened with water

Flea dirt is often present in coat brushings.

Question 21

How are tape strips used in dermatological assessments?

Answer 21

A sticky tape is pressed to the skin surface to collect debris for microscopic examination

This method is non-invasive and can detect lice, surface mites, bacteria, yeasts, and fungi.

Question 22

What conditions can tape strips help detect?

Answer 22

Lice, surface mites, inflammatory conditions, bacteria, yeasts, and fungi

The tape can be examined plain or stained with Diff-Quik.

Question 23

True or False: Coat brushings require extensive skin preparation.

Answer 23

False

Little or no skin preparation is needed for coat brushings.

Question 24

What are hair plucks?

Answer 24

A method to pull out a small sample of hair by the root

Hair plucks are simple, quick, and typically well-tolerated by patients.

Question 25

How are hair plucks performed?

Answer 25

Using digital pressure or haemostatic forceps ## Footnote The hair is then placed on a microscope slide for examination.

Question 26

What is needed to stick hairs to the microscope slide during hair plucks?

Answer 26

A little mineral oil ## Footnote This oil helps adhere the hairs to the slide for examination.

Question 27

What can hair plucks be used to detect? (List at least two)

Answer 27

* Demodex mites * Some lice eggs * Some fungal diseases ## Footnote Hair plucks are useful for identifying various ectoparasites and fungal infections.

Question 28

What are skin scrapes?

Answer 28

A procedure to remove surface layers of the epidermis ## Footnote Skin scrapes are more invasive but generally tolerated by patients.

Question 29

What tool is commonly used for skin scrapes?

Answer 29

A number 10 scalpel blade ## Footnote The scalpel is scraped over the skin in a sideways motion.

Question 30

What should be done to the skin before performing a skin scrape?

Answer 30

Lubricate with mineral oil or liquid paraffin ## Footnote Approximately 0.5ml of lubricant helps facilitate the scraping process.

Question 31

What is the goal of the scraping action during skin scrapes?

Answer 31

To continue scraping until capillary blood appears ## Footnote This indicates that the surface layers have been adequately removed.

Question 32

What types of mites can skin scrapes detect? (List at least two)

Answer 32

* Sarcoptes * Demodex ## Footnote Skin scrapes are particularly useful for identifying burrowing mites.

Question 33

What is ringworm also known as?

Answer 33

Dermatophytosis ## Footnote Ringworm is a fungal infection affecting skin and hair.

Question 34

Which species are commonly associated with ringworm? (List at least two)

Answer 34

* Microsporum * Trichophyton ## Footnote These dermatophytes cause ringworm infections.

Question 35

What is a key characteristic of ringworm infection?

Answer 35

Formation of multiple circular lesions ## Footnote These lesions indicate the presence of the fungal infection on the skin.

Question 36

Why is it important to handle ringworm samples aseptically?

Answer 36

To prevent contamination of the environment or oneself ## Footnote Ringworm is zoonotic, requiring careful handling to avoid spreading the infection.

Question 37

What can be observed on microscopy for ringworm testing?

Answer 37

Ringworm spores can be seen on microscopy of hair plucks, skin scrapes, and tape strips ## Footnote This method can only be used in an active infection.

Question 38

What is the function of a Woods lamp in ringworm testing?

Answer 38

A Woods lamp emits a specific ultraviolet wavelength of light that causes some species of Microsporum to fluoresce ## Footnote This can only be used in an active infection and requires 3 - 5 minutes to warm up.

Question 39

What is the only laboratory test that can determine if a patient is an asymptomatic carrier of ringworm?

Answer 39

Fungal culture ## Footnote This test can also identify those with active infections.

Question 40

What is done if a lesion is present during fungal culture testing?

Answer 40

A small hair sample is taken from the site ## Footnote If the patient is an asymptomatic carrier, a coat brushing should be obtained from the whole animal.

Question 41

What temperature is required for incubating dermatophyte culture media?

Answer 41

25 - 27°C ## Footnote Positive samples appear as fluffy white colonies and turn the culture media from orange to red.

Question 42

What types of samples can be taken with wound swabs?

Answer 42

Wounds, eyes, mouth, nostrils, and the anus ## Footnote All swabs should be obtained gently to avoid trauma.

Question 43

What is the main purpose of swab samples?

Answer 43

Bacterial culture and sensitivity ## Footnote Care must be taken to avoid contamination of the sample, environment, or yourself.

Question 44

What materials are swabs typically made from?

Answer 44

Cotton wool and calcium alginate ## Footnote Swabs are placed into a sterile tube containing transport media.

Question 45

What are the types of transport media mentioned for swabs?

Answer 45

* Charcoal (black) * E-swab (liquid amies) * Plain ## Footnote Different laboratories may use various types of transport media.

Question 46

How should ear swabs for microbiology be handled?

Answer 46

They should be handled as wound swabs ## Footnote Ear swabs can also be obtained for cytology using a plain cotton wool swab.

Question 47

What is the procedure for obtaining a cytology sample from the ear?

Answer 47

A plain cotton wool swab is used to gently obtain a sample, which is then rolled onto a microscope slide ## Footnote This allows for further microscopic examination.

Question 48

What gauge needle should be used for an FNA?

Answer 48

21-27

Question 49

What should tissue biopsies used for culture and sensitivity be put in?

Answer 49

A saline soaked swab inside a sterile universal container.

Question 50

What is the collection of fluid from a body cavity called?

Answer 50

Paracentesis

Question 51

What is the collection of synovial fluid from a joint called?

Answer 51

Arthrocentesis

Question 52

What gauge needle is used to collect cerebral-spinal fluid?

Answer 52

20-22 gauge 1.5 inch spinal needle