Laboratory Work
We use an in-house biochemistry analyser at the surgery to run basic blood samples. However, when it comes to hormone testing and complete blood counts we prefer to send those blood samples to a local lab.
Please click on the following links for further information:
Results can be available
within 6 minutes. This can be especially beneficial if the animal is
very sick or if the animal has been admitted for surgery and it’s indicated
to check liver and kidney function prior to anaesthesia. Non-urgent
blood tests will be carried out later in the day.
For all blood tests, please ensure your pet has been starved 8 to 12 hours prior to your appointment and prevent your pet from roaming outside during that time. Pets can continue to drink water during the time they are being starved.
Full skin workups can be performed at the surgery but because of their involved nature, please speak to one of the vets.
Some pets will need to have repeat visits to the surgery for a check-up and blood test. These blood tests are for monitoring purposes of the effect of the medication on the body and to determine whether especially kidney and liver values are affected. Another purpose of some of the blood tests are to check the therapeutic levels of the medication given and to ensure pet’s medication does not fall within toxic or non-therapeutic levels.
Please visit www.noah.co.uk for further details.
Urine can be examined at the surgery but where culture and sensitivity of the urine is indicated it will be advisable to use the local laboratory.
What lab work is available at the surgery:
- Biochemistry and PCV (packed cell volume)
- urine SG (specific gravidity)
- urine pH
- urine microscopic analysis
- felv/fiv test (leukaemia and cat aids)
- fungal culture and examination parasites under microscope
- skin scrapes for mite identification
When will these tests be advised, for example?
Biochemistry
- Elderly pets booked in for surgery
- Elderly pets as part of a yearly check up
- Follow up during treatment with certain medications
Urine SG
- Pets with excessive drinking and urinating habits
Urine PH
- Cats with crystals and blockage etc
Urine Microscopic Analysis
- Check for crystals in urine
- Check whether infection
FELV/FIV
- Newly acquired cats
- Cats suspected to be infected with these viruses
Other examples of Lab Work
- Full blood count
- T4
- Electrolytes
- Histology
- Hormone analysis
- Faecal analysis
- Rabies testing
- Diabetic monitoring
- Joint fluid analysis
- Medication level assays
- Comprehensive skin workup
- Vaccination status
(this list is not exhaustive)
Histology
Histology will sometimes be advised by the veterinary surgeon. With histology we mean that a “lump” is sent off in formalin to the laboratory for analysis. This takes time as the lump needs to be fixed properly first, prior to being sliced, stained, looked at and interpreted by an experienced pathologist at the veterinary laboratory.
This test is always optional to clients. It however gives a lot of information about the nature of the lump and the likelihood of recurrence. It also provides an insight into the margins of the excision. At times when the normal excision margin has been respected and a wide excision has been performed cancerous cells still have been found at the periphery and this information helps us to proactively step in and remove a much wider margin.