AREFEH RAVANBAKHSHMastocytemia refers to presence of mast cells in peripheral circulation. Mast cells originate from precursor cells produced in the bone marrow and following migration into peripheral tissue, they undergo further differentiation and maturation. Once in tissue they do not tend to recirculate and thus are not normally found in peripheral blood.1 The morphology of […]
Often we receive forms with faint writing or ticks (or barely legible writing) and it does make it really hard to figure out exactly what you require.When completing submission forms and ticking boxes, please make sure you use a decent, dark pen to write with. This will ensure we can clearly read all information provided, […]
KAREN BAILEYClinical history:An animal rescue organisation uplifted a stray/feral entire female tabby, estimated to be about 10 years old. She had probably been feeding herself by hunting and scavenging.The cat was re-homed in a multi-cat rescue household and fed a variety of commercial cat food. She had several health issues including hind leg ataxia and […]
REBECCA ALLANA recent case submitted to the Christchurch laboratory had us itching to reach a diagnosis.Clinical history:The patient was a 10-year-old Gypsy x Welsh Cob with longstanding inflammation of the pasterns. The veterinarian had taken skin scrapes and submitted smears to the laboratory for cytology.Laboratory findings:Examination of smears revealed a seething mass of mites in […]
RACHEL WHITEHEADAnthelmintic resistance is a growing issue, therefore investigation of potential resistance is an important tool in managing production-limiting effects on-farm.At Gribbles Veterinary we are committed to developing tools to promote vet + farmer communication. This season we are launching a new faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) report, which will calculate anthelmintic susceptibility for […]
KATHRYN JENKINSClinical history:A 3-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presented with a 4-5 week history of respiratory disease. Radiographs demonstrated a diffuse interstitial lung pattern. Fluid samples from a tracheal wash, material from the endotracheal tube and a FNA from the lung were all submitted for cytologic examination.Laboratory results:Cytology of the tracheal wash fluid revealed a […]
BERNIE VAATSTRALoki is a lively two-year-old male neutered English Springer Spaniel with a strong interest in food of all kinds, edible or otherwise. On a Friday evening on returning from work, Loki’s owner noticed him behaving unusually. He barked sharply at the car he usually recognises and approached with a swaying, uncoordinated gait.Clinical findings:Closer examination […]
AMY WEEDENGribbles Veterinary offers relaxin testing for the detection of pregnancy in both dogs and cats. This hormone is superior to progesterone measurement for pregnancy detection in both species.Progesterone cannot reliably distinguish between pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in dogs or cats, and similar levels of progesterone are produced in pregnancy and dioestrus in dogs. Relaxin does […]
A 5-month-old English springer spaniel presented with pyrexia of unknown origin, in-clinic testing showing an increased WBC count and neutrophilia. He was treated with Clavulox and his CBC had returned to normal by the last day of antibiotic therapy.He presented again a few days later with lethargy, but a normal temperature and CBC. He responded […]
ROB FAIRLEYDid you know . . . that once fully fixed, fixed tissues can be stored for a quite a period of time without actually being kept in formalin?Being able to store fixed tissue this way, is particularly useful for brains, and especially large brains from older calves and cows.Receiving brains in containers where 90% […]