Laboratory procedures

56 important questions on Laboratory procedures

What are the reasons for using outside laboratories for veterinary tests?

  • Some veterinary tests require specialized equipment or training.
    • Advanced testing equipment and quality control may offer advantages in speed and accuracy.
    • Samples join many similar shipments from other clinics.

What are the two classifications of white blood cells?

White blood cells are classified as either granulocytes or mononuclear cells.

What does a microscopic examination of urine sediment indicate if large numbers of red blood cells are present?

Large numbers of red blood cells in urine sediment indicate bleeding somewhere in the urinary tract.
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What can affect the sample reliability if urine is not handled properly?

Risk crystal precipitation affecting sample reliability.

What is important for technicians to do when sending samples to a reference laboratory?

Technicians must clearly label all samples with the animal's complete name, regardless of whether the sample is sent to a reference laboratory or is analyzed in-house.

What is the role of neutrophils?

Neutrophils fight infection by ingesting (eating) or engulfing (surrounding) foreign cells (e.g., bacteria).

What does the presence of large numbers of white blood cells and bacteria in urine indicate?

Large numbers of white blood cells and bacteria indicate an infection.

What does a Complete Blood Count (CBC) analyze?

CBC count analyzes the numbers and appearance of blood cells.

What is the function of eosinophils?

Eosinophils help control inflammation and allergic reactions.

What might increased numbers of casts in urine indicate?

Increased numbers of casts may indicate kidney disease.

What does anuria indicate in urinalysis?

No urine production.

What are the components of blood as described in a CBC?

  • Plasma: liquid part of blood, made up of water and substances dissolved in it.
    • Cells: solid part, 3 types of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets).

What do basophils release and what is their effect?

Basophils release histamine, which increases inflammation.

What procedure is used if a veterinarian suspects a bladder infection?

Cystocentesis: sample of urine to culture for bacteria may be collected directly from the bladder using a needle and syringe.

What is the presence of bile or bilirubin in urine called?

Bilirubinuria.

What is the function of red blood cells according to the CBC description?

Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and return carbon dioxide to the lungs.

What are macrophages and what is their function?

Macrophages are monocytes that leave the bloodstream and enter tissues to engulf bacteria, foreign substances, and debris.

What should not happen to urine samples?

Urine samples should not be frozen.

What role do white blood cells play in the body?

White blood cells help prevent and fight infection by destroying bacteria, viruses, and other foreign cells or substances.

What are the three types of lymphocytes?

The three types of lymphocytes are T cells, B cells, and Natural killer (NK) cells.

What is the typical appearance of normal urine?

Normal urine is typically transparent and yellow or amber on visual inspection.

What is specific gravity in urinalysis?

Ratio of the weight of a volume of liquid to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water.

What is the function of platelets in blood?

Platelets help the blood clot when a blood vessel is damaged.

What is the role of platelets in the body?

Platelets perform a critical role in the clotting process to repair damaged blood vessels.

What might light-colored urine indicate?

Light-colored urine indicates a diluted urine specimen.

How is urine specific gravity (USG) measured?

Use a refractometer designed for veterinary samples.

What does a stool test detect?

A stool test detects the presence of the cysts of parasites (e.g., Giardia and Cryptosporidium) or eggs of other parasites.

What does brown urine indicate?

Brown urine indicates the presence of myoglobin (myoglobinuria), a clinical sign of muscle breakdown.

What does dark yellow-brown-greenish urine indicate?

Dark yellow-brown-greenish urine indicates the presence of bilirubin or bile in urine (biliruria).

What causes rabbit urine to be turbid?

Rabbit urine is turbid due to mucus and calcium carbonate crystals.

What factors affect urine odor?

Odor depends on urine concentration and varies between species.

What does fruity or sweet-smelling urine indicate?

Fruity or sweet-smelling urine indicates the presence of excess ketones (ketonuria) and/or glucose in urine, indicative of diabetes mellitus or starvation.

What instrument is used to measure USG?

Refractometer.

What is the USG scale for pure distilled water?

1.000

What is considered dilute urine in dogs and cats?

Less than 1.008.

What USG value indicates diabetes insipidus?

USG

What USG range indicates dilute urine (isosthenuria)?

USG 1.008 - 1.012

What USG range indicates concentrated urine (hypersthenuria)?

USG 1.025 - 1.040

What do reagent strips test for?

pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin/urobilinogen, occult blood.

What are some examples of reagent strip brands?

Multistix® or Chemstrip®.

What is the pH range for acidic urine in dogs and cats?

6.0 to 7.0

What can cause alkaline urine in horses and ruminants?

Decreased protein catabolism, cystitis due to urea-splitting bacteria, prolonged storage at room temperature, metabolic or respiratory alkalosis.

What does the glucose reagent detect?

Glucose: reagent detects glucose oxidase enzymatic reaction specific to glucose.

What does the protein reagent detect in urine?

The protein reagent detects albumin in urine.

What is glucosuria and when does it occur in most species?

Glucosuria is not normally present because the renal threshold for glucose is >180 mg/dL in most species (>240 mg/dL in cats).

What is the result range for proteinuria?

10 mg/dL to 1000 mg/dL.

What are false-negative results associated with glucose testing?

False-negative results: Occur with high urinary concentrations of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) or formaldehyde.

What is the significance of proteinuria in dilute urine?

Proteinuria is less significant in dilute urine.

What are false-positive results in glucose testing caused by?

False-positive results: Occur if sample is contaminated with hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, or hypochlorite (bleach).

What is the primary method to measure proteinuria?

Measured using sulfosalicylic acid precipitation.

What are ketones produced from?

Ketones: produced from fatty acid metabolism and include acetoacetic acid, acetone, and β-hydroxybutyrate.

What is the normal UP:UC ratio for dogs?

0.5 (dogs).

What does the ketone test pad detect?

Ketone test pad detects acetone and acetoacetic acid, but not β-hydroxybutyrate.

What UP:UC ratio is considered abnormal in cats?

>0.4 (cats).

What can cause false-positive results in ketone testing?

False-positive results: occur if sample is contaminated with hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, or hypochlorite (bleach).

What does a trace-positive reaction for protein indicate?

The presence of other proteins (e.g., Bence-Jones proteins) will give false-negative results.

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