Page 361 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

330 Susan C. Cork, Willy Schauwers and Roy Halliwell

Table 7.3 Conversion units for biochemical parameters.

Biochemical parameter Metric unit SI unit Conversion factor
Albumin g/100 ml g/l 10.0
Bilirubin mg/100 ml µ mol/l 17.1
Creatinine mg/100 ml µ mol/l 88.4
Glucose mg/100 ml m mol/l 0.055
Protein g/100 ml g/l 10.0
Urea mg/100 ml m mol/l 0.17
Calcium mg/100 ml m mol/l 0.25
Magnesium mg/100 ml m mol/l 0.41
Notes: mg/100 ml = milligrams per 100 ml, g/l = grams per litre; m mol/l = 10 moles per litre, µ mol/l – 10 moles per litre.
–3
–6
profiles to be assessed using only a few drops of In larger veterinary laboratories, trained clini-
blood. However, these are expensive and reagents cal pathologists are usually able to assist in the
may not be easily obtained without foreign cur- interpretation of results and will give advice on
rency. Examples include the BC Reflotron and sample submission, selection of tests, diagno-
the Kodak Ektachem systems that provide a test sis and treatment recommendations. In smaller
profile (1–15 parameters) on a single sample. An facilities, the technicians performing the tests
example of a profile would be serum creatinine/ may confer directly with the veterinary staff on
urea and protein for renal function and estimates location to determine what information should
of bilirubin, enzymes (alanine aminotransferase be provided to the submitting animal health
[ALT], aspartamine aminotransferase [AST]) professional.
and serum albumin levels for liver function and
so on. Common reference ranges for some bio-
chemical parameters in serum are given in Table Simple dip-stick tests
7.2 for common domestic species.
The value of biochemistry results depends There are a wide range of simple dip-stick type
on (1) the appropriate choice of samples, (2) tests available commercially. These include prod-
the quality of the samples and (3) the reliability ucts that measure urea (for example, Azostix™)
of the tests used. Serum biochemistry is usu- and glucose (for example, Dextrostix™,
ally used to confirm a diagnosis or to help the Glucostix™ and B-M test glycaemie) in whole
animal health professional to make a prognosis blood. Many of these were originally developed
for the case (that is, it can allow an assessment for human medicine but can be used for vet-
of the degree of organ damage and therefore the erinary purposes and give reasonably accurate
likelihood of recovery). However, if the results results when used according to instructions.
do not support the clinical assessment of an ani- Azostix™, Dextrostix™ and Glucostix™ are man-
mal it may be worthwhile to repeat the test or to ufactured by Ames, and can be procured through
try an alternative test, because single test results veterinary and medical wholesalers but this may
can be misleading. In cases where an animal is require foreign currency. There may be local
assessed for response to treatment a series of retailers who can provide local equivalents or it
samples may be collected to assess recovery. may be possible to request supplies through a

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