Veterinary Clinic
Examinations/Tests
Next Generation Science/Common
Core Standards Addressed!
 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.1 Cite specific textual
evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary
sources, connecting insights gained from specific details
to an understanding of the text as a whole.
 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.9 Integrate information from
diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a
coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting
discrepancies among sources.
Bell Work!
 Explain the function of the animals white and
red blood cells.
 Explain how you would prevent blood from
coagulating after it has bee drawn from an
animal.
 What would be the result of drawing blood
from and animal too rapidly.
Terms!
Acetone
Acidity
Albumin
Alkalinity
Bile
Bilirubin
Calcium
Advantages of Fecal Exams
Fecal exam is commonly used to look for
parasitic diseases. Parasitic diseases in
animals need to be controlled because
they may result in:
Reduced production of meat and milk
Slow growth rates
Cause infertility and abortions
Death of the animal in severe cases
Fecal Examinations Cont.
 Examining fecal samples is a
very common practice in all
veterinary clinics. Exams may
result in the identification of
worm eggs and larvae as well as
cysts.
 The three most common tests
area;
 Smear
 Flotation
 Gross examination
Fecal Examinations Cont.
 Fecal Collection – Always
secure a fresh sample,
making sure that it is from
the patient in question.
Make sure that the sample
has not been contaminated
by foreign material ( grass,
rocks, straw). If the exam
will be delayed make sure
that the sample is stored in
an air tight container and
placed in a refrigerator.
Direct Smear Fecal Examination
 The direct smear fecal
examination may be the least
accurate method of fecal
examination.
 A small amount of feces is mixed
with saline solution or water and
placed on a microscope slide.
 The sample is observed under
low power.
 Observe the mixture on the slide
for larvae and worm eggs.
Flotation Fecal Examination
 Fecal Flotation Exams ae more complicated
and time consuming than a direct smear.
 A flotation solution using sugar or salt is
added to the feces, mixed thoroughly and
then filtered through gauze.
 The solution is placed in a tube and
centrifuged for three minutes.
 Place a drop from the top of the tube on a
slide for examination.
 Fecal material should have settled to the
bottom of the tube while eggs/larvae
floated to the top of the solution.
Gross Examination of Fecal
material.
A gross examination is nothing more
than a visual observation of the animals
feces.
Look at the color of the feces
Is there mucous present
Is there blood present
Is undigested food present
Are parasites observed
Blood Examinations
 Many diseases may be diagnosed
with the use of a blood sample.
 Blood consists of the following
materials;
 Red blood cells – erythrocytes
 White blood cells – leukocytes
 Platelets – thrombocytes
 Plasma – light fluid that suspends
cells
Blood Collection
In a veterinary clinic, blood from patients
is generally collected from a prominent
vein.
Very light suction is used on the syringe,
the blood should flow into the syringe.
Excessive pressure will destroy the red
blood cells.
When blood is collected it is mixed with an
anti-coagulant to prevent clotting.
Blood Tests
Blood that is going to be used for a smear
test should utilized within 10-15 minutes
of collection.
Blood that will be used for other types of
tests should be used within 24 hours.
Blood is always stored in refrigerators.
Common Blood Tests
 Blood Smears – One drop of blood collected
from the sample with a pipette is evaluated
under a microscope.
 Hemoglobin Tests – Hemoglobin tests are
conducted using a colorimeter which will
compare the sample with a color standard.
 Blood Cell Counts – This particular test will
count the number of erythrocyte and leukocyte
cells per volume of blood in the sample.
Urine Examination
Urine samples are collected by various
methods.
Samples must be collected in a clean,
dry container.
Collection catheters, stimulation and
collection urinal may be used.
Small animals may be collected by
applying pressure to the bladder or by
using a collection cage.
Urine Examination
Physical examination of an animals
urine sample would include;
 The odor
 The color
 The consistency
 The volume
Urine Examination
 The consistency of urine color is measured
in degrees of color;
 clear
 cloudy
 flocculant
 opaque
Urine Tests
A laboratory test of the urine sample
could yield the following information.
pH
Sugar
Bile
Acetone
Calcium
Bilirubin
Albumin
Bacteriologic Tests
Simple bacteriologic tests may be
completed at the local clinic or
samples may be submitted to
diagnostic labs.
Bacteriologic Tests
There are four basic methods of
bacteriologic testing/ diagnosis
procedures;
 Culture
 Serologic tests
 Animal inoculation
 Direct microscope exam
The End!