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Chapter 12 Laboratory Skills 223

2. Time from sample collection until sample is tested. oil on a microscope slide for identification under 4× or
Some samples have to be fresh from the animal in 10×. To determine what kind of mite is present, a skin
order to obtain accurate results. Giardia, a parasite scraping is required. Treatment and control of ectopara-
found in fresh feces, and blood gases measured in sites begins with identification, then the veterinarian will
blood are examples of time‐sensitive samples. prescribe appropriate treatment.
3. Sample handling (refrigerated, room temperature, The following are descriptions and photos of all but
type of container in which it is to be collected, etc.). the fly and mosquito.
If a sample cannot be analyzed immediately, many
can be stored in a refrigerator or freezer. In which Fleas
case they have to be allowed to reach room tempera-
ture before running the test. Some samples have to Adult fleas mate and feed on blood from their hosts
be collected in sterile containers so the normal (Figure 12.3). The average flea is about 5 mm in size,
bacteria found everywhere doesn’t give false results. they are a rusty red color, and have large back legs. Fleas
4. Sample type needed for the test (example: serum spend their entire life on the pet, they mate and lay eggs
versus plasma). There are many types of blood on the host but many fall off into the animal’s environ-
collection tubes available to give accurate blood test ment. They hatch into larvae that resemble fly maggots
results. Failure to utilize the correct tube can result and will ingest the “flea dirt” (see Figure 10.12) which is
in inaccurate results. fecal material rich in blood. Larvae, after feeding, cre-
5. Lab procedures are conducted wearing personal ate a cocoon and develop into a pupae, which later
protective equipment (PPE) of gloves, goggles, and hatches into an adult. that later hatch into adults.
a lab coat. All tests should be done on a non‐porous Transmission is indirect, occurring when an individual
tray or surface that is easily disinfected. Confining enters a contaminated environment. They have to have
spills and preventing possible staining of the a blood meal within two weeks or they die. If a human is
counter. Disinfecting the counter involves letting the only one available they will take a blood meal from
the disinfectant air dry as discussed in Chapter 4. him or her.
6. Follow lab protocols to set up the various tests. Most Because fleas are fast and great jumpers you may not
clinics will have a binder with test “recipes” or see them. We discussed how to determine if there are
protocols used to set the tests up. If they don’t, it is a fleas on a host in Chapter 10. If fleas are present, the
good idea to work with the technicians to set one room needs to be sprayed with an insecticide designed
up. This way everyone runs the tests in the same to kill fleas so they don’t spread throughout the clinic.
manner which increases quality results.

Parasitology

Parasitism is the presence of organisms benefiting them-
selves while harming their hosts, the organisms off whom
they live. There are two types of parasites commonly
found:
Ectoparasites are external parasites like fleas, ticks,
mites, and lice.
Endoparasites are internal parasites like roundworms,
hookworms, flukes, tapeworms, and protozoans.

Sampling for and Identification
of Ectoparasites

External parasites are commonly reported in animals as
they cause and transmit diseases and vary by geographic
region. The most common ones found in almost all parts 1 mm
of the world are fleas, ticks, lice, flies, mosquitoes, and
mites. All but the mite are visible to the naked eye. Lice
and mites are transmitted through direct contact and FIGURE 12.3 Flea. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under
the rest are transmitted by indirect contact. The visible CC BY‐SA 2.5 ES, https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/
ones can be captured and placed into a drop of mineral File:Ctenocephalides-canis.jpg.