Page 258 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

242 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

or paper towels are often layered on the bottom to soak Vaginal Cytology Collection
up any spillage.
To pack the container, secure the completed requi-
sition form in its own Ziploc bag and seal. Line the Dog breeders often like to know where in the reproduc-
tive cycle a bitch may be at a certain time. This entails the
bottom of the Styrofoam container with several layers veterinarian or technician swabbing the inner vault of
of newspaper. Place an ice pack on the bottom of the the vagina. Equipment required for this procedure is
box if sending fresh tissues or body fluids. Check to vaginal speculum (Figure 12.23), microscope slides,
makes sure the samples’ container lids are on tight and cotton‐tipped applicator stick, and lubricant. PPE is
are labeled properly with the patient’s identification, gloves. The restraint is standing with an arm around the
the practice name, and date of sampling. Roll bubble animal’s neck and the other holding the tail out of the
wrap or newspaper around each sample container. way or supporting the abdomen to keep the dog from
Place padded samples into the box next to the ice sitting down. The slides are stained using the Dip Quick
pack. set of stains used for blood smears.
Add packing peanuts or crumpled newspaper to
keep the samples from bouncing around in the box. If
it is warm outside add a second ice pack on top of the
contents. Place the lid onto the Styrofoam box and
put the submission form on top of the lid, then tape
the cardboard box shut. Add shipping label on top
and place it in the clinic’s pick‐up location for the
shipping company, take it to the shipping office, or if
there is a pick‐up service call them to schedule a
pick‐up.
Mark the patient’s file and the laboratory log that the
samples were sent to the reference laboratory with the
date, what tissues/fluids were sent, what method of ship-
ment was used, the tracking number if available, and
your initials.

FIGURE 12.23 Vaginal speculum.

Chapter Reflection
Reflection
Laboratory work is challenging and very important
Explain why it is so important to take care of sam- for determining a disease. How will you maintain
ples and pack them correctly for shipment to a the high standards of practice required to turn out
reference laboratory? quality results for the veterinarian?