Hematology Collection

Online Resources Cornell University eClinPath Website Veterinary Technician Magazine VSPN Website VetMedTeam Website Exceptional Veterinary TEAM Website Ren-Lor Stethoscope Website Veterinary Technician Community

Cornell eClinPath website– AWESOME http://ahdc. vet. cornell

Veterinary Technician’s Role You are an essential part of the “gathering of information process” Gives your doctor accurate information in order to make a correct diagnosis (CSI!! ) “Follow the evidence!” 

Pieces of the Puzzle You are gathering diagnostic “Puzzle Pieces” from the animal for your doctor Your doctor calls for certain laboratory tests – you perform them & produce accurate results

The “Finished Puzzle”!

Learning how to perform common diagnostic tests (“Puzzle Pieces”) in the following areas: Hematology and Hemostasis Clinical Chemistry Immunology

Your Tools in the Laboratory

Microscope

Centrifuges

Refractometer

Hematology Analyzers

Blood Tests

Blood Tests Hematology Definition – the study of blood and blood-forming tissues 3 types of blood tests Hematology tests Whole blood Clinical chemistry, immunology tests Performed on serum or plasma of blood

Components of Whole Blood Plasma Formed Elements

Blood Plasma 0ver 90% water 7% plasma proteins 2% other substances created in liver confined to bloodstream Albumin Globulins (immunoglobulins) form antigen-antibody complexes Fibrinogen for clotting 2% other substances electrolytes, nutrients, hormones, gases, waste products

Plasma Colors Table 3-1, Page 77 (Hendrix) Normal – straw-colored Icterus Hemolyzed Lipemic

Plasma versus Serum Both liquids appear identical to the naked eye Serum – the liquid part of blood AFTER coagulation Fibrinogen is not found in serum Plasma protein Assists in the blood clotting process Leaves plasma to help clot blood

Plasma versus Serum Blood to which an anticoagulant has been added will not clot Whole Blood Clotted Blood

Obtaining Blood Samples Plasma Sample Serum Sample

Common Blood Collection Sites External jugular vein Cephalic vein Femoral vein Saphenous vein Ear vein Tail vein Orbital sinus Toenail

Sample Collection Venipuncture Arterial puncture? Type of blood (oxygenated or deoxygenated?) Color of blood Blood pressure Arterial puncture? How much blood to collect? 1 cc per 4# 5 cc’s usually enough

Look at That Jugular Vein! 

Cephalic Vein Could Be Used….. But……………… 

Cephalic, Saphenous & Femoral Veins

Large Animal Venipuncture!

Ferret Venipuncture Cephalic vein Jugular vein

Rabbit Venipuncture – Ear Vein

What About Birds?

And the Little Critters? Blood collection techniques in exotic small mammals Site of submandibular venipuncture in a mouse indicated at the yellow arrow where the orbital vein and the submandibular vein join to form the jugular vein noted in blue. The green area indicates the site of the orbital sinus. (After Golde and colleagues.)

Collection Equipment Syringe & needle Vacutainer system Gauge of needle Length of needle Size of syringe Vacutainer system Hub Needle Collection tubes (vacuum inside)

Vacutainer System Figure 2-2, Page 30 (Hendrix)

Vacutainer & Collection Tube

Types of Collection Tubes Lavender top Red top Gray top Others? –

Colored Tubes?

EDTA Tube & Tiger Clot Tube

Anticoagulants Definition EDTA Chemical that prevents clotting when added to a whole blood sample EDTA Anticoagulant of choice for hematology Why? Heparin Preferred when plasma is required for analysis (Clinical Chemistry tests) Fluoride Glucose preservative

Table 2-2

Handling Collected Blood Samples Identification of sample – CRITICAL! Prepare blood smears immediately! Clot tubes Allow blood to clot BEFORE refrigeration Then remove clot gently & centrifuge to get the serum Hemolysis – ruptured RBC’s Refrigeration – lavender tube or serum from red tops if tests not done right away

Hemolyzed Samples

To the Lab for Analysis!