Page 251 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 12 Laboratory Skills 235

2. Review the patient record to ascertain which tests or if the antibody or antigen is present. These are single‐use
panels are ordered. Then read the test reagent kits although some kits test for the presence of more
labels to ensure you have the correct test(s). than one disease. For example, feline leukemia virus
3. Handle carefully. These are expensive, complex antigen, feline immunodeficiency virus antibody, and
pieces of equipment. feline heartworm antigen can all be detected by the same
4. Results may be printed out and then secured in the test kit.
patient record or the instruments may be interfaced These test kits use serum, plasma, and/or whole blood
with hospital management software and results sent depending on the test and the manufacturer. Use the
directly to the patient’s electronic file. specified sample type or the one the veterinarian pre-
5. There are reference ranges or normal values for fers. Most test results are available in 8–10 minutes.
each test for healthy patients of each species. Because results are so rapidly available, a test result will
Reference values are dependent on the laboratory be ready by the time the veterinarian has completed the
or equipment used. patient examination.
6. Some equipment requires periodic calibration; all Kits come packaged with all the materials needed for
require some maintenance and some form of conducting the test. A pamphlet is enclosed that gives
cleaning. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for step‐by‐step instructions for setting up the test and inter-
maintenance. Keep a record of who did these preting the results. As with other laboratory instructions,
procedures and when in the laboratory mainte- a copy of the directions for each kit can be kept in the
nance log. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s protocol binder and should be switched out with each
directions when doing so. new box.
7. Never use expired reagents as they may not give Read all the accompanying information about the
accurate readings. As with all medical supplies and test. Read the box when unpacking kits from the whole-
drugs, reagents must be monitored for expiration saler to ensure proper storage. Some kits need to be
dates. refrigerated; others do not. These kits have expiration
dates so be sure to check the date before storing the kits
The veterinary assistant may be asked to operate this
equipment and may be responsible for its maintenance. and before use.
Be certain to draw the appropriate quantity and type
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use of sample (plasma versus serum or whole blood) needed
and maintenance requirements or observe an experi- to run the test. Refrigerate the labeled sample if the test
enced team member using the instrument before is not run immediately. The veterinary assistant will find
attempting it on your own. The first time you run a test, these tests easy to run with a minimal margin for error.
have someone observe your work. Always ask questions if Because of the differences between test kits, however,
you are in doubt. It is better to ask a question than to the assistant must pay close attention to directions. As
make a serious mistake. These instruments will use either with all laboratory work, accuracy and attention to details
liquid reagents or dry test strips of some form, which are are the key to success.
usually refrigerated. These reagents are dated and Once results have been achieved, mark the patient
should be checked before use. Keep an adequate file and the lab log book. Throw the used test kit into the
inventory of test materials most frequently used on hand.
waste container and disinfect the counter.

Reflection
Learning Exercise
Read the operation manual for the blood ana-
lyzer and blood chemistry machine. What Select a test kit at random. See if you can find
information did you pick up that was perhaps not what the test is for, what species of animal, what
covered in a lecture? sample does it require, and how long does it take
to run the test?

Serologic Test Kits
Urine Collection
There are an increasing number of commercial serology
test kits available for specific diseases. These tests are The role of the veterinary assistant may be one of
quick and easy, ranging from heartworms to Lyme dis- restraint during the process of urine collection. The
ease. The basis of the test principle is an antigen–anti- exception is collection of urine during normal micturi-
body reaction followed by a color change on the test pad tion (urination) or use of a litter pan. Refer to Chapter 10