Measurement of the percent bone marrow fat to assess the nutritional status of an individual animal. Recommended for diagnosis of malnutrition / starvation.
Detection of infectious agents (i.e. Hepatozoon spp., bacteria, spirochetes) and neoplastic cells (i.e. mast cells) by microscopic evaluation of the buffy coat.
Measurement of cadmium by inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometry. A $10.75 sample preparation fee will be added to tissue and feed specimens.
Specimen
One or more of the following:
0.5 mL EDTA whole blood
5 g fresh liver
50 mg fresh liver biopsy (at least 3 Tru-Cut samples, no fluid added)
0.5 mL heparinized whole blood
500 g feed
For birds, 0.3 mL EDTA whole blood is adequate.
Blood, serum, and urine samples are tested on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with a turnaround time of 7 days. Tissue and feed samples are tested on Mondays and Thursdays with a turnaround time of 10 days.
Measurement of WBC, PCV, and plasma protein by manual methods. Microscopic blood smear review for WBC differential, cellular morphology, thrombocyte estimate, and hemoparasites.
Specimen
1 mL EDTA whole blood or lithium heparin whole blood and 1-2 air dried slides