What is the role of the Practice Laboratory?

The Hospital has its own laboratory where blood and urine tests and microscopy are regularly performed. These tests help us to work out just what is wrong with your pet, when they are ill. They also help us to check that everything is working correctly, before an anaesthetic and operation.

What are the benefits of a "pre-anaesthetic blood test"?

Many pets have a blood sample taken before an anaesthetic. This provides the vets and nurses with useful information about aspects of the animal’s health that cannot always be detected on a physical examination. Particularly important are:

• The kidney and liver function, since these organs metabolise and excrete the anaesthetic drugs.
• The protein levels, since these affect wound healing.
• The red and white blood cells, since these affect the animal's ability to clot, fight infection and carry oxygen around the body.

What other situations might my pet need a blood or urine test?

Common symptoms where a blood and urine test can be helpful are:

• Increased drinking and/or urinating.
• Weight loss.
• Lethargy and reluctance to play/exercise.
• Jaundiced or pale membranes (the colour of the gums, and around the eyes)
• Unexplained weight gain or a distended “pot-belly” tummy.

What is microscopy and when is it useful?

Microscopy is simply looking down a microscope at samples that have been prepared onto a glass slide. The microscope can magnify up to 100x and is invaluable in many areas, such as:

• Looking for cancer cells when we take a needle biopsy from a lump.
• Checking skin samples for the presence of mites or fungal infections.
• Examining urine samples for the presence of crystals or abnormal cells.
• Assessing vaginal smears to establish whether a bitch is ready to be mated.
• Checking blood samples from cows for evidence of anthrax.
• Examining blood smears to assess the causes of anaemia or abnormal white blood cells.