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THIS MONTH Changes
to Microbiology Requests
Changes
to Microbiology Requests
You may have noticed in the new price list (February 2001) that we have made a major revision of the microbiology section. Gone are the generic codes CS and CS+ to be replaced by sample/site specific test options. Why, you ask change the comfortable and familiar codes with a host of incomprehensible options. Good question, the old system was a bit crude and led on some occasions to crossed wires between the requesting vet and the microbiology department. With an increase in work the lab has to handle these days, we had to take a hard long look at how we received, processed and reported microbiology results. The sample/site-based approach was the result. From your point of view you have a clearer idea of which tests will be done on the sample you are submitting. The changes enable the sample to be handled much more quickly through the lab system with fewer misinterpretations of your requirements. One of the less obvious but most important benefits is that we can allocate antibiotic sensitivity patterns much more consistently and economically and report the results with improved accuracy. The changes have also enabled us to streamline our reporting of microbiology results. We are able to enter results into the computer system earlier and more quickly. There have been a few teething problems during the introduction of the changes particularly with report layouts but we think we have sorted out most of the problems now. Our apologies if you were an unwitting guinea pig. The system will continue to evolve over the coming months. If the new codes prove to be too much for you please feel free to resort to just asking for a “culture and sensitivity” and we will append the correct code on arrival. If you have any comments about the new codes please contact Geraldine Hale, on 01253 899215 Top
Sue Beck joined the staff of NWL in January. Sue graduated from Glasgow in 1988 and has spent the past 12 years in small animal practice. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the laboratory and is already proving to be popular with clients. Her particular interests are dermatology and feline and rabbit medicine. Sue is married with three cats; her main hobbies and pastimes include sailing, entertaining and reading. She harbours (sic) a burning ambition to sail around the world. Top
Acting on the feedback from last years price list we have made a number of changes. These include an indication of turnaround times. In most cases, these are absolute but in certain circumstances, turnaround times can only be approximate. This applies particularly to microbiology where times can be dependant on growth rates, mix of organisms recovered, and purity of isolations. If you require a time critical result, we ask that you contact the laboratory for an accurate indication of turnaround times. The microbiology section has been completely revised (s.v.). You will note that test options are now based on the site or type of sample. These changes are based on an analysis of the submissions over the past 12 months and feed back from clients. Clarity of print and indexing has also been improved. There have been some price adjustments, on average these amount to less than 2%. Some prices have been significantly reduced e.g. Canine TSH. From the questionnaire that was circulated with the new issue there has been very positive feedback on the changes that had been made. The improvements to print and the indexing were particularly welcomed as were the changes to the microbiology section, which are considered much more intuitive. Top
Next Meeting: Thursday 15th March 2001 Venue: Myerscough College, Bowland Suite, Bilsborough, Lancashire Speaker: Romain Pizzi BVSc MSc MRCVS, Veterinary approach to reptiles and amphibians Case book studies: If you would like to present an interesting case please contact Jane Miller on 01253 899215 or mail at nwlabs@nwlabs.co.uk To book your place, request further information or a location map call Joanne Kenyon on 01253 899215 mail at nwlabs@nwlabs.co.uk Top
Top Adrenal Disease in Ferrets Adrenal disease is the most common presenting condition in American ferrets Adrenal disease, though common in American ferrets is considered to be uncommon in UK ferrets. The disease is the result of tumour or hyperplasia affecting either or both adrenal glands. The cause is uncertain although there appear to be many theories. The condition can occur at any age but is more common in animals over 3 years old. Symptoms include hair loss, swollen vulva in females, return to male sexual behaviour in neutered males, aggression, urination problems, less commonly lethargy, muscle atrophy and pruritus. The affected adrenal gland(s) produce an excess of the sex hormones, oestrogen, testosterone 17-OH-progesterone and related precursors. The causal tumour is often a benign adenoma but malignant carcinomas are reported in about 25% of cases. Carcinomas may be locally aggressive but do not usually metastasize. The condition can be confirmed by determination of oestradiol, cortisol and 17-OH-progesterone. Treatment of choice is adrenalectomy, unilateral or partial bilateral. In patients that are considered a poor surgical risk therapy is a consideration. For those who are interested in this approach consult the web site www.ferretdoctor.com for further information. Code: ADF
Top
A This is a question we have addressed before but it is worth covering the ground again. It is important to get a base line level for fructosamine before you start to monitor therapy. Too often the test is not used until things start to go wrong which makes the test most difficult to interpret and much less useful. It also helps if a Glucose Curve is used to establish the most appropriate insulin treatment schedule. Fructosamine should be interpreted in association with clinical signs, physical examination and fasting blood glucose results. When clinical findings suggest poor glycaemic control, then a blood glucose curve is recommended regardless of the fructosamine level. In very fractious patients or patients that are too stressed to accurately assess their glycaemic control with a blood glucose curve, fructosamine levels can be used together with clinical indicators of control (changes in body weight, polyuria/polydipsia, client perception of the control status) to estimate response to treatment. Fructosamine levels can be very helpful in differentiating stress hyperglycaemia from true diabetes mellitus, especially in cats. Top
Breeds such as Shar Pei, Akita, Shiba Inu and Tosa Inu have a permeable erythrocyte sodium/potassium membrane pump. On standing or during transport their red cells leak potassium into the serum producing pseudohyperkalemia. It is important with these
breeds to separate the serum from the clot as soon as possible after the
clot has formed and to avoid any trace of haemolysis to prevent artificially
elevated potassium values.
Almost all of our reports are now sent by fax. Reports are automatically faxed as they are printed off in the office using a computer-based fax system. The increasing workload over 12 months has put an enormous strain on the existing fax system. We have attempted to upgrade the system to cope but each attempt to speed things up has resulted in problems. Faxing seems such a simple technology you would think it would be a relatively easy matter but unfortunately not so. However at long last, our computer whiz kids have come up with a new multi modem fax set-up. The idea is the system can direct a fax to the next available modem thus speeding up faxing. When the system is on full song, the faxes fairly fly down the telephone lines. Unfortunately, at present the system seems to have a couple of bugs in it and occasionally decides that it only has one modem with the result that everything slows down again. Apologies to those of you
who have experienced problems during this settling in period, it will be
worth it in the end, he says crossing his fingers.
The owner of a puppy recovering from major surgery after swallowing a 15in bread knife said its survival was a miracle. Staff at a veterinary hospital in Leeds found the 15 inch serrated knife in the stomach of Kyle, a six-month-old collie-Staffordshire bull terrier cross who was only 18 inches long.
The dog's owner, from Leeds, who took the puppy to the hospital on New Year's Eve, thinking he had only a stomach upset, said: "I had no idea Kyle had swallowed the knife. It is a miracle he survived." The senior veterinary officer at the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, who examined Kyle at the York Road hospital, said she had never seen anything like it. "The knife could have cut his internal organs to shreds at any time." I bet he had a problem
chasing his tail!
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