Archives

THIS MONTH

o The Case for a Post Mortem
o Test Price reduction and quicker turnaround
o Clin Path Club Notice
o Price List – Update 2
o French Produce Criticised
o Feline Tumour Reporting
o Cytology CPD
o Canine Fertility Referral
o Tail End – Penguins and Pilots

Animal Dies!
What next? - The case for a P M.
The Autopsy, Necropsy or Post Mortem Examination (PM), whichever expression you choose to use this aspect of pathology tends to be under utilised. 

Knowing the cause of death of an animal can offer a number of benefits to both the client and the practitioner.
The loss of a companion, for whatever reason, old age, fatal illness whether sudden or expected, can be difficult for an owner to come to terms with. For many owners in this situation there is an overwhelming need to know why their companion has died and unless an answer can be provided the difficulty of coming to terms with the loss is all the more difficult. In these circumstances knowing the cause of a sudden or unexpected death can be of immense comfort to an owner and an important aid to coming to terms with the death. 

From the practitioners point of view there are situations when it may be wise to offer the facility of a PM. The increased willingness of clients to resort to litigation cannot be ignored. Typically this could include surgical and post-surgical casualties for example. Cases of sudden or even the expected death of a patient can often be awkward and the willingness to consider a PM may assist in reassuring the client that everything is being done to identify a cause of death.

Then there are more altruistic reasons. Many opportunities for clarification or confirmation of a diagnosis are lost if cases are not followed up with a PM. Then there is the opportunity to add to the general knowledge bank. For example in the area of inherited or breed associated conditions. Breed societies are often interested in undertaking a PM if the opportunity arises as it is often the only certain way of identifying potential breed related conditions and some may assist with funding for such investigations.

Another area where the PM is important is in cases where malicious intent may be suspected, eg poisoning. Welfare societies may request a PM in alleged cruelty cases. A referral may be advisable in these circumstances unless one is a confident expert witness. Common reasons for not undertaking a PM are a reluctance to undertake the examination personally or the problems of getting the cadaver to a suitable facility.
North Western Laboratories provides a comprehensive post mortem facility. Jane Miller has considerable experience in this field and is a recognised expert legal witness. The laboratory operates a same day collection service for cadavers throughout the North West and can arrange for overnight collections anywhere in the UK if required. 

Carcases are normally disposed of through Leyland Pet Cemetery. It is not normally practical to return carcases to the owners for disposal but we can arrange for the ashes to be returned if required.
The cost of a full post mortem includes all additional tests required to establish the diagnosis. We are pleased to provide a detailed quotation for any post mortem you may require. Please advise the laboratory before submitting a cadaver. 

See current price list for more information or contact client services.

NEW TEST for Sarcoptic Mange Takes Off
Lower price and quicker turnaround
Since introducing the new test for Sarcoptic Mange demand has exceeded expectations 
We are now running 2 batches per week on Monday and Thursday. This has enabled us to reduce the price of the test to £20 per sample. This is less than any other laboratory and with a quicker turnaround time.
Sarcoptes is a more common cause of scratching in the dog than is often realised realised. It is an important rule-out in suspect atopic animals. Traditional micro-scopic examination of skin scrapes or Sellotape preps. has a recognised low sensitivity. To avoid false negatives it is important to allow 4 to 8 weeks from onset of symptoms for a significant antibody response to develop. 
Code SM Test Name Sarcoptic Mange antibody Sample Serum NEW Price £20.00 + vat

CLIN PATH CLUB
The Next Meeting is on Thursday 9th March. There is a change of venue to the Ribby Hall Conference Centre, which is just off the main Preston to Blackpool road at Kirkham. Travelling from Preston take a left turn at the first roundabout, signposted for Wrea Green. 
The theme is an Avian one. Local avian and exotics specialist Shauna Whitehead MRCVS (as seen on TV) will be our principle speaker. She will start with an illustrated talk about Feather Problems in birds. Then there will be a practical session on handling parrots, with live birds to practice on.
If there is any time left we hope to have at least one case presentation and the usual open discussion to finish off.
Next meeting Thursday 11th May
For further information telephone 01253 899215.

Feline Injection Site Tumour Surveillance Scheme
The VMD are requesting veterinary surgeons to submit yellow form reports on any injection site tumours, particularly fibrosarcoma types, observed in cats. Confirmation by histopathology would provide valuable additional information.

French Vets Criticised
Lax veterinary inspection
European Union inspectors have issued a critical report of French milk, cheese, and yoghurt producers. They criticised the level of veterinary inspection at farms and that veterinary services were not checking if medicines had been correctly administered. The report also said that small establishments were particularly lax and that controls on water quality also needed improving. 

Continuing Professional Development
In association with “Improve CPD Ltd” Jane Miller will be presenting 3 one day Cytology courses. The courses are aimed at anyone with an interest in cytology and will cover basic interpretation, needle aspirates, pleural and peritoneal fluids.

Dates:-
10th May – Oxford
14th June – Leeds
30th June - Exeter

Price List - ADDENDUM
UPDATE 1 
see Newsletter no 46
UPDATE 2
Test withdrawn
Section 10
CPT Canine pregnancy test: withdrawn
Use New Test :- CPTR Relaxin-Canine Pregnancy test, Note serum sample required

Canine Fertility Testing
Did you know we offer a fertility referral service for the collection and analysis of canine semen samples? Semen analysis is not something that is easy to do in house. Yet accurate results demand a freshly collected sample. You can arrange for your client to bring their dog to NWL. We will collect the sample and carry out a semen analysis. The report is sent directly to you and if required we can discuss the interpretation of the findings prior to your next client meeting.

Samples are collected without the need for an electro-ejaculator, although occasionally the presence of a bitch to act as a tease can be helpful with the more timid dogs. Most dogs only require one sample but where the results of the analysis show abnormalities a second sample after 48 hours is advised. Some abnormalities are transient and may be associated with the length of sexual abstinence. 

The routine analysis includes an assessment of the fractions and motility, a sperm count, a live to dead ratio and an evaluation of sperm morphology using stained preparations. Where abnormalities are detected. Additional tests can include, cytology, microbiology and biochemistry. 

Tail End
Pilots and Penguins
It has been reported that bored Royal Air Force pilots stationed in the Falkland islands have devised what they think is an amusing new game. 

Noticing that the local penguins find aircraft fascinating, the pilots search out a beach where the penguins are congregating and fly slowly along the waters edge. The gathered penguins, maybe as many as 10,000, turn their heads in unison to watch the plane fly by. When the pilots fly back, the birds turn their heads in the opposite direction, like spectators at a slow motion tennis game.

Then, it is reported, the pilots fly out to sea and fly back directly over the penguins. Heads go up, up, up and ten thousand penguins slowly fall over gently on to their backs.
 

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