Disease caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly diagnosed in dogs, as the geographic ra... more Disease caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly diagnosed in dogs, as the geographic range of the parasite increases along with awareness among clinicians. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention are not always straightforward, although recent developments offer hope for improved options in future. Understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis remains poor. This paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of this parasitic disease, focussing on the most recent developments and advances. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs: continuing spread and developments in diagnosis and treatment ttp://www.bsava.com/
To investigate the associations between Coombs' testing, haemoplasma and retroviral infections, a... more To investigate the associations between Coombs' testing, haemoplasma and retroviral infections, and feline anaemia. METHODS: Haematology, Coombs' testing (including assessment of persistent autoagglutination) and selected infection testing (haemoplasma, feline leukaemia virus/feline immunodefi ciency virus provirus) were performed in blood samples collected from 60 anaemic and 60 non-anaemic cats. RESULTS: No association between infection and anaemia or Coombs' positivity existed. Anaemic cats (21.7%) were signifi cantly more likely than non-anaemic cats (0%) to have cold autoagglutination (P<0.0001), but signifi cance (set at Ä0.0025 due to multiple testing) was not quite reached when Coombs' positivity was compared between anaemic (40.4% and 21.7% positive at 4°C and 37°C, respectively) and non-anaemic (20% and 3.3% positive, P=0.021 and P=0.004, at 4°C and 37°C, respectively) cats. Cats with immunemediated haemolytic anaemia were signifi cantly more likely to have persistent cold autoagglutination (P<0.0001) and be Coombs' positive at 37°C with polyvalent (P<0.0001), immunoglobulin (Ig)G (P<0.0001) or any antiserum (P<0.0001). Haemoplasmas and retroviruses were uncommonly detected. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cats suspected of having immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia should be evaluated for persistent autoagglutination at 4°C as well as performing Coombs' testing at 37°C, but positive results may occur in with other forms of anaemia. Testing for erythrocyte-bound antibodies should always be interpreted in parallel with documentation of haemolysis in anaemic cats.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a probiotic product in acute self-limiting gastroenteritis ... more OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a probiotic product in acute self-limiting gastroenteritis in dogs.
A s their role expands, veterinary technicians are required to perform more diagnostic tests. In ... more A s their role expands, veterinary technicians are required to perform more diagnostic tests. In addition to assisting veterinarians, technicians often have primary responsibility for performing tests and reporting the results to a veterinarian. Technicians need to ensure that these tests are performed proficiently and provide data of a quality that veterinarians can rely on to make proper diagnoses.
This report offers a consensus opinion on the diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention ... more This report offers a consensus opinion on the diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of leptospirosis in dogs, an important zoonosis. Clinical signs of leptospirosis in dogs relate to development of renal disease, hepatic disease, uveitis, and pulmonary hemorrhage. Disease may follow periods of high rainfall, and can occur in dogs roaming in proximity to water sources, farm animals, or wildlife, or dogs residing in suburban environments. Diagnosis is based on acute and convalescent phase antibody titers by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), with or without use of polymerase chain reaction assays. There is considerable interlaboratory variation in MAT results, and the MAT does not accurately predict the infecting serogroup. The recommended treatment for optimal clearance of the organism from renal tubules is doxycycline, 5 mg/kg PO q12h, for 14 days. Annual vaccination can prevent leptospirosis caused by serovars included in the vaccine and is recommended for dogs at risk of infection.
On occasion, the site from which a fine-needle aspirate is obtained and the gross appearance of t... more On occasion, the site from which a fine-needle aspirate is obtained and the gross appearance of the unstained or stained smear immediately prompt thoughts of 'likely' diagnoses. Here are a few examples. Of course, one always proceeds with microscopic evaluation and integration of case information when making the final interpretation! Please contact Karen Young ([email protected]) if you have historical or other notes of interest you would like to contribute to this feature. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors.
An adult Girolando dairy cow with severe lethargy was presented for examination to the UNESP Vete... more An adult Girolando dairy cow with severe lethargy was presented for examination to the UNESP Veterinary Hospital, Araçatuba, Brazil. The cow had generalized lymph node enlargement, cachexia, severe signs of anemia, and decreased milk production. Analysis of the hemogram revealed severe nonregenerative anemia, as evidenced by markedly decreased RBC count (1.75 Â 10 6 /mL, reference interval [RI] 5.0-10.0 Â 10 6 /mL), PCV (10%, RI 24-46%), and hemoglobin concentration (3.0 g/dL, RI 8.0-15.0 g/dL) and no evidence of polychromasia and basophilic stippling. Severe leukopenia (1000/mL, RI 4000-12,000/mL) was also present. The cow was euthanized, and a necropsy was performed. Severe pallor of mucous membranes, body wall, and musculature and moderate serous fat atrophy were noted. Imprints of the prescapular lymph nodes were prepared, and the slides were stained with a quick Romanowsky stain (Panótico Rápido, Laborclin, Pinhais, Brazil) ). . Imprint of a prescapular lymph node from a cow with severe anemia and leukopenia. Quick Romanowsky stain.
A 6-year-old spayed female Boxer dog was presented to the Louisiana State University Veterinary T... more A 6-year-old spayed female Boxer dog was presented to the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 3-week history of ataxia, walking sideways, crossing over of limbs, and dragging her hind feet. She had a repair of her left cranial cruciate ligament approximately 4 months previously with uneventful recovery. There was no history of diarrhea or vomiting. Results of a CBC and urinalysis were unremarkable. The only abnormality noted on serum biochemical profile was mild hypercholesterolemia (296 mg/dL, reference interval [RI] 150-240 mg/dL). Cutaneous and mucosal lesions were not present. Age-related changes were seen on thoracic radiographs. Neurologic examination revealed severe ataxia, worse on the left side, and a left head tilt. She had delayed hopping in the forelimbs and fell when hopped in the rear. No abnormalities were observed on computed tomographic scan of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a lesion involving approximately 50% of the left side of the pons and medulla and extending dorsally to the 4th ventricle. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from the atlanto-occipital cistern revealed a total nucleated cell count of 2000/mL (RI o 5/mL) and a total protein of 1898 mg/dL (RI o 30 mg/dL). A cytocentrifuged preparation of CSF was stained with Wright-Giemsa and examined ( ). Figure 1. Cytocentrifuged preparation of cerebrospinal fluid from a dog. Wright-Giemsa, Â 100 objective.
A 12-year-old intact female mixed bred dog was presented for examination of a mass, which had enl... more A 12-year-old intact female mixed bred dog was presented for examination of a mass, which had enlarged rapidly, in the mammary region. The cutaneous mass was near the right caudal mammary gland, extending into subcutaneous tissue, and was freely movable, firm, ulcerated, and hairless; it measured 5.0 Â 3.0 Â 2.5 cm. Serum biochemical analysis revealed mild hyperproteinemia (7.6 g/dL, reference interval [RI] 5.4-7.
A 17-year-old Peruvian Paso mare was evaluated for bilateral epistaxis that had been present for ... more A 17-year-old Peruvian Paso mare was evaluated for bilateral epistaxis that had been present for at least 3 years. The mare had mild anemia, platelet count within the reference interval, unremarkable coagulation times, and a negative Coggins test. On endoscopic examination, structural abnormalities were not observed in the nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, trachea, or either guttural pouch, but petechiation was noted in the nasal mucosa. Additional tests revealed prolonged cutaneous bleeding time, normal concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen, an abnormal clot retraction test, and failure of plalelet aggregation in response to agonists, suggesting a functional disorder of platelets. Genetic analysis indicated the horse was homozygous for a 10-base-pair deletion that included the last 3 base pairs of exon 11 and the first 7 base pairs of intron 11 of the gene encoding glycoprotein IIb. The diagnosis was Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) caused by a structural defect in glycoprotein IIb. GT is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex on platelet surfaces. Separate genes encode each glycoprotein, and mutations in either gene can result in GT. This case of GT is unique given the age of the mare at the time of diagnosis. We conclude that GT, although an inherited disorder, should be considered in horses with suspected dysfunctional platelets, regardless of age.
Background: A new commercial gel column agglutination system is reported to have high sensitivity... more Background: A new commercial gel column agglutination system is reported to have high sensitivity in detecting cats with blood type AB. Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare gel column agglutination and card agglutination methods for feline blood-typing and to determine the frequency distribution of feline blood types in northern Italy. Methods: Blood-typing was performed on 120 cats using both a commercial gel column containing monoclonal antibodies (ID Gel-Test Micro Typing System) and a card agglutination method (RapidVet-H Feline). Results were confirmed with back-typing. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for the 2 methods. A second group of 140 Domestic Shorthair (DSH) cats was blood-typed using the gel column technique to determine the frequency distribution of feline blood types in northern Italy. Results: The card agglutination method demonstrated poor sensitivity in identification of type-AB cats (61%) and was only 95% specific when identifying type-B cats. The gel column agglutination technique demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity for typing all 3 blood types (A, B, and AB). The frequency distribution study of 140 cats demonstrated that 127 (90.7%) cats were type A, 10 (7.1%) were type B, and 3 (2.1%) were type AB. Conclusion: When blood-typing cats of breeds with a relatively high frequency of blood types B and AB, methods that use monoclonal antibodies for detection of blood types B and AB are recommended. Alternatively, blood type can be confirmed by more sensitive supplemental testing, such as back-typing. The high frequency of blood type A in DSH cats in northern Italy was comparable to previously reported frequencies in Italy and world-wide.
Background: The calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT), an assay that permits measurement of thro... more Background: The calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT), an assay that permits measurement of thrombin generation in plasma, may be useful in studying hemostatic disorders and anticoagulant therapy in animals. Objectives: The aims of the study were to measure thrombin generation in healthy Beagle dogs and to evaluate the potential use of the CAT assay for monitoring therapy with unfractionated heparin (UFH). Methods: Individual platelet-poor plasma samples and a plasma pool from 20 healthy adult Beagles were prepared. Serial UFH plasma dilutions were used to establish an in vitro heparin-sensitivity curve. The pharmacodynamic effects of heparin in vivo were evaluated in Beagles using the CAT assay to measure thrombin generation with tissue factor at a concentration of 5 pM for initiation. Results: In healthy Beagles, the range of endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) was 238.7-414.0 nM/min (mean AE SD, 340.4 AE 63.1 nM/min). ETP intra-assay and interassay variations were 7.1% and 12.9%, respectively. In vitro, a UFH concentration Z0.4 U/mL resulted in total inhibition of thrombin generation. In vivo, the maximal effect of UFH on ETP was observed at 170 AE 36 minutes (range, 120-210 minutes) and resulted in a decrease in ETP of 38.5 AE 7.8% (range, 26.5-50.3%). In 210-420 minutes, ETP returned to baseline in 5 dogs. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that thrombin generation can be measured in canine plasma and may be useful in assessing the degree of anticoagulation provided by UFH.
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease that occurs throughout the world. Recent reclassification of C... more Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease that occurs throughout the world. Recent reclassification of Cryptococcus species along with a change in the distribution pattern has prompted reevaluation of the organism and the diseases caused by this pathogen. This review highlights the emergence of Cryptococcus gattii as a primary pathogen in North America and summarizes our current understanding of the disease in mammals and birds.
Disease caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly diagnosed in dogs, as the geographic ra... more Disease caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly diagnosed in dogs, as the geographic range of the parasite increases along with awareness among clinicians. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention are not always straightforward, although recent developments offer hope for improved options in future. Understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis remains poor. This paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of this parasitic disease, focussing on the most recent developments and advances. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs: continuing spread and developments in diagnosis and treatment ttp://www.bsava.com/
To investigate the associations between Coombs' testing, haemoplasma and retroviral infections, a... more To investigate the associations between Coombs' testing, haemoplasma and retroviral infections, and feline anaemia. METHODS: Haematology, Coombs' testing (including assessment of persistent autoagglutination) and selected infection testing (haemoplasma, feline leukaemia virus/feline immunodefi ciency virus provirus) were performed in blood samples collected from 60 anaemic and 60 non-anaemic cats. RESULTS: No association between infection and anaemia or Coombs' positivity existed. Anaemic cats (21.7%) were signifi cantly more likely than non-anaemic cats (0%) to have cold autoagglutination (P<0.0001), but signifi cance (set at Ä0.0025 due to multiple testing) was not quite reached when Coombs' positivity was compared between anaemic (40.4% and 21.7% positive at 4°C and 37°C, respectively) and non-anaemic (20% and 3.3% positive, P=0.021 and P=0.004, at 4°C and 37°C, respectively) cats. Cats with immunemediated haemolytic anaemia were signifi cantly more likely to have persistent cold autoagglutination (P<0.0001) and be Coombs' positive at 37°C with polyvalent (P<0.0001), immunoglobulin (Ig)G (P<0.0001) or any antiserum (P<0.0001). Haemoplasmas and retroviruses were uncommonly detected. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cats suspected of having immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia should be evaluated for persistent autoagglutination at 4°C as well as performing Coombs' testing at 37°C, but positive results may occur in with other forms of anaemia. Testing for erythrocyte-bound antibodies should always be interpreted in parallel with documentation of haemolysis in anaemic cats.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a probiotic product in acute self-limiting gastroenteritis ... more OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a probiotic product in acute self-limiting gastroenteritis in dogs.
A s their role expands, veterinary technicians are required to perform more diagnostic tests. In ... more A s their role expands, veterinary technicians are required to perform more diagnostic tests. In addition to assisting veterinarians, technicians often have primary responsibility for performing tests and reporting the results to a veterinarian. Technicians need to ensure that these tests are performed proficiently and provide data of a quality that veterinarians can rely on to make proper diagnoses.
This report offers a consensus opinion on the diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention ... more This report offers a consensus opinion on the diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of leptospirosis in dogs, an important zoonosis. Clinical signs of leptospirosis in dogs relate to development of renal disease, hepatic disease, uveitis, and pulmonary hemorrhage. Disease may follow periods of high rainfall, and can occur in dogs roaming in proximity to water sources, farm animals, or wildlife, or dogs residing in suburban environments. Diagnosis is based on acute and convalescent phase antibody titers by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), with or without use of polymerase chain reaction assays. There is considerable interlaboratory variation in MAT results, and the MAT does not accurately predict the infecting serogroup. The recommended treatment for optimal clearance of the organism from renal tubules is doxycycline, 5 mg/kg PO q12h, for 14 days. Annual vaccination can prevent leptospirosis caused by serovars included in the vaccine and is recommended for dogs at risk of infection.
On occasion, the site from which a fine-needle aspirate is obtained and the gross appearance of t... more On occasion, the site from which a fine-needle aspirate is obtained and the gross appearance of the unstained or stained smear immediately prompt thoughts of 'likely' diagnoses. Here are a few examples. Of course, one always proceeds with microscopic evaluation and integration of case information when making the final interpretation! Please contact Karen Young ([email protected]) if you have historical or other notes of interest you would like to contribute to this feature. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors.
An adult Girolando dairy cow with severe lethargy was presented for examination to the UNESP Vete... more An adult Girolando dairy cow with severe lethargy was presented for examination to the UNESP Veterinary Hospital, Araçatuba, Brazil. The cow had generalized lymph node enlargement, cachexia, severe signs of anemia, and decreased milk production. Analysis of the hemogram revealed severe nonregenerative anemia, as evidenced by markedly decreased RBC count (1.75 Â 10 6 /mL, reference interval [RI] 5.0-10.0 Â 10 6 /mL), PCV (10%, RI 24-46%), and hemoglobin concentration (3.0 g/dL, RI 8.0-15.0 g/dL) and no evidence of polychromasia and basophilic stippling. Severe leukopenia (1000/mL, RI 4000-12,000/mL) was also present. The cow was euthanized, and a necropsy was performed. Severe pallor of mucous membranes, body wall, and musculature and moderate serous fat atrophy were noted. Imprints of the prescapular lymph nodes were prepared, and the slides were stained with a quick Romanowsky stain (Panótico Rápido, Laborclin, Pinhais, Brazil) ). . Imprint of a prescapular lymph node from a cow with severe anemia and leukopenia. Quick Romanowsky stain.
A 6-year-old spayed female Boxer dog was presented to the Louisiana State University Veterinary T... more A 6-year-old spayed female Boxer dog was presented to the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 3-week history of ataxia, walking sideways, crossing over of limbs, and dragging her hind feet. She had a repair of her left cranial cruciate ligament approximately 4 months previously with uneventful recovery. There was no history of diarrhea or vomiting. Results of a CBC and urinalysis were unremarkable. The only abnormality noted on serum biochemical profile was mild hypercholesterolemia (296 mg/dL, reference interval [RI] 150-240 mg/dL). Cutaneous and mucosal lesions were not present. Age-related changes were seen on thoracic radiographs. Neurologic examination revealed severe ataxia, worse on the left side, and a left head tilt. She had delayed hopping in the forelimbs and fell when hopped in the rear. No abnormalities were observed on computed tomographic scan of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a lesion involving approximately 50% of the left side of the pons and medulla and extending dorsally to the 4th ventricle. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from the atlanto-occipital cistern revealed a total nucleated cell count of 2000/mL (RI o 5/mL) and a total protein of 1898 mg/dL (RI o 30 mg/dL). A cytocentrifuged preparation of CSF was stained with Wright-Giemsa and examined ( ). Figure 1. Cytocentrifuged preparation of cerebrospinal fluid from a dog. Wright-Giemsa, Â 100 objective.
A 12-year-old intact female mixed bred dog was presented for examination of a mass, which had enl... more A 12-year-old intact female mixed bred dog was presented for examination of a mass, which had enlarged rapidly, in the mammary region. The cutaneous mass was near the right caudal mammary gland, extending into subcutaneous tissue, and was freely movable, firm, ulcerated, and hairless; it measured 5.0 Â 3.0 Â 2.5 cm. Serum biochemical analysis revealed mild hyperproteinemia (7.6 g/dL, reference interval [RI] 5.4-7.
A 17-year-old Peruvian Paso mare was evaluated for bilateral epistaxis that had been present for ... more A 17-year-old Peruvian Paso mare was evaluated for bilateral epistaxis that had been present for at least 3 years. The mare had mild anemia, platelet count within the reference interval, unremarkable coagulation times, and a negative Coggins test. On endoscopic examination, structural abnormalities were not observed in the nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, trachea, or either guttural pouch, but petechiation was noted in the nasal mucosa. Additional tests revealed prolonged cutaneous bleeding time, normal concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen, an abnormal clot retraction test, and failure of plalelet aggregation in response to agonists, suggesting a functional disorder of platelets. Genetic analysis indicated the horse was homozygous for a 10-base-pair deletion that included the last 3 base pairs of exon 11 and the first 7 base pairs of intron 11 of the gene encoding glycoprotein IIb. The diagnosis was Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) caused by a structural defect in glycoprotein IIb. GT is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex on platelet surfaces. Separate genes encode each glycoprotein, and mutations in either gene can result in GT. This case of GT is unique given the age of the mare at the time of diagnosis. We conclude that GT, although an inherited disorder, should be considered in horses with suspected dysfunctional platelets, regardless of age.
Background: A new commercial gel column agglutination system is reported to have high sensitivity... more Background: A new commercial gel column agglutination system is reported to have high sensitivity in detecting cats with blood type AB. Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare gel column agglutination and card agglutination methods for feline blood-typing and to determine the frequency distribution of feline blood types in northern Italy. Methods: Blood-typing was performed on 120 cats using both a commercial gel column containing monoclonal antibodies (ID Gel-Test Micro Typing System) and a card agglutination method (RapidVet-H Feline). Results were confirmed with back-typing. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for the 2 methods. A second group of 140 Domestic Shorthair (DSH) cats was blood-typed using the gel column technique to determine the frequency distribution of feline blood types in northern Italy. Results: The card agglutination method demonstrated poor sensitivity in identification of type-AB cats (61%) and was only 95% specific when identifying type-B cats. The gel column agglutination technique demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity for typing all 3 blood types (A, B, and AB). The frequency distribution study of 140 cats demonstrated that 127 (90.7%) cats were type A, 10 (7.1%) were type B, and 3 (2.1%) were type AB. Conclusion: When blood-typing cats of breeds with a relatively high frequency of blood types B and AB, methods that use monoclonal antibodies for detection of blood types B and AB are recommended. Alternatively, blood type can be confirmed by more sensitive supplemental testing, such as back-typing. The high frequency of blood type A in DSH cats in northern Italy was comparable to previously reported frequencies in Italy and world-wide.
Background: The calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT), an assay that permits measurement of thro... more Background: The calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT), an assay that permits measurement of thrombin generation in plasma, may be useful in studying hemostatic disorders and anticoagulant therapy in animals. Objectives: The aims of the study were to measure thrombin generation in healthy Beagle dogs and to evaluate the potential use of the CAT assay for monitoring therapy with unfractionated heparin (UFH). Methods: Individual platelet-poor plasma samples and a plasma pool from 20 healthy adult Beagles were prepared. Serial UFH plasma dilutions were used to establish an in vitro heparin-sensitivity curve. The pharmacodynamic effects of heparin in vivo were evaluated in Beagles using the CAT assay to measure thrombin generation with tissue factor at a concentration of 5 pM for initiation. Results: In healthy Beagles, the range of endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) was 238.7-414.0 nM/min (mean AE SD, 340.4 AE 63.1 nM/min). ETP intra-assay and interassay variations were 7.1% and 12.9%, respectively. In vitro, a UFH concentration Z0.4 U/mL resulted in total inhibition of thrombin generation. In vivo, the maximal effect of UFH on ETP was observed at 170 AE 36 minutes (range, 120-210 minutes) and resulted in a decrease in ETP of 38.5 AE 7.8% (range, 26.5-50.3%). In 210-420 minutes, ETP returned to baseline in 5 dogs. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that thrombin generation can be measured in canine plasma and may be useful in assessing the degree of anticoagulation provided by UFH.
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease that occurs throughout the world. Recent reclassification of C... more Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease that occurs throughout the world. Recent reclassification of Cryptococcus species along with a change in the distribution pattern has prompted reevaluation of the organism and the diseases caused by this pathogen. This review highlights the emergence of Cryptococcus gattii as a primary pathogen in North America and summarizes our current understanding of the disease in mammals and birds.
Background: Interpretation of blood smears is commonly used to provide rapid laboratory evaluatio... more Background: Interpretation of blood smears is commonly used to provide rapid laboratory evaluation of animals in veterinary emergency practice, but the accuracy of results of blood smear interpretation by emergency room personnel (ERP) compared with evaluation by trained veterinary clinical pathology personnel is unknown. Objective: The goal of this study was to compare blood smear evaluation by ERP with that of clinical pathology personnel. Methods: All animals that had a CBC determined by a diagnostic laboratory and had blood smears evaluated by personnel at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals Emergency Room between September 2008 and July 2009 were eligible for study inclusion. ERP who evaluated blood smears completed standardized forms with estimates of the WBC and platelet counts and evaluation of RBC and WBC morphology. Results from point-of-care assessment were compared with automated or manual results reported by the veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Results: One hundred and fifty-five blood smears were evaluated. There was moderate agreement (k value, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52, 0.74) between estimated platelet counts by ERP and automated counts. Poor agreement was found between estimated WBC counts by ERP and automated counts (k value, 0.48; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.60). Specific abnormalities with a high likelihood of clinical significance, eg, toxic change, nucleated RBCs, spherocytes, hemoparasites, and lymphoblasts, were not predictably identified by ERP. Conclusions: ERP interpretation of canine and feline blood smears should be used cautiously and should not replace evaluation by a veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
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