We are thrilled to announce that starting Monday, 30 September, our haematology reports will feature newly established reference intervals for cats and dogs.
This milestone comes after three years of meticulous research and collaboration. Our large-scale reference interval study involved the dedicated efforts of numerous individuals, and we extend our deepest gratitude to all the clinics, their staff, and clients who participated. Your contributions have been invaluable in developing these world-class, local reference intervals.
Traditionally, reference intervals in veterinary laboratories or published literature have often been derived from less representative populations, such as young animals undergoing desexing or samples from research colonies. Our new intervals, based on a diverse and extensive sample of pet animals from New Zealand, represent a significant advancement and provide a more accurate benchmark for veterinary diagnostics.
Thank you once again to everyone involved for making this achievement possible. We are excited to offer this enhancement to our services and support better health outcomes for pets across the country.
Why have we updated the reference intervals?
Periodic re-evaluation of reference intervals is a crucial aspect of maintaining high standards in laboratory practice. Over time, reference intervals may no longer accurately reflect the animal populations they are intended to represent. Factors such as changes in breed popularity, de-sexing practices, diet, disease control, and genetics can all influence these intervals. Additionally, variations in sample collection and transportation methods, as well as advancements in analytical technologies, can impact pre-analytical and analytical processes.
Several years ago, we upgraded our haematology analysers to the latest state-of-the-art technology. This provided an excellent opportunity to review and update our New Zealand-based reference intervals. By doing so, we ensure that our intervals remain relevant and accurate, reflecting the current population of pets and the latest advancements in diagnostic technology.
What animals were included in the study?
To be included in the study, animals had to be fully fasted, clinically healthy, not on any medication or history of vaccination in the previous two weeks, not pregnant, not from an SPCA or pound (i.e. the animals had to have a known clinical history), aged between 1 and 10 years and for dogs, not sighthounds.
Full biochemistry and haematology panels were run on the samples and any samples with artifact (lipaemia, haemolysis) or signs of disease on the chemistry or haematology results were excluded from the study.
In total, samples from 151 dogs and 109 cats were included in the final reference sample group. The median age of the dogs was 4 years old (range 1-10 years old) with a near even number of males and females. Most dogs (61%) were desexed and over 41 breeds were represented, the most common being Border collies (19), Staffordshire bull terriers (12), huntaways (13), Labrador retrievers (12), Golden retrievers (9), heading dogs (9), standard poodles (6), Cavalier King Charles spaniels (5), Border terriers (5) and Jack Russell terriers (5).
The majority of cats included in the reference sample group were desexed pet cats, with 10 animals from a research colony. There was a near even number of males and females and the median age was 5 years (range 1-10yrs). Three quarters of the cats were DSH, DMH, DLH and 20 cats were pedigree cats (most commonly Burmese, Maine Coon and Ragdolls).
Reticulocyte haemoglobin (RET-He)
We are also excited to announce that reticulocyte haemoglobin (RET-He) will also be available with all applicable complete blood counts (CBCs). This new parameter is a significant addition to our diagnostic capabilities, offering valuable insights into iron-deficient erythropoiesis in both dogs and cats.
RET-He serves as a crucial marker for assessing current iron availability and enables earlier detection of iron-limited states. By reflecting the iron content in newly formed red blood cells, RET-He provides a more immediate understanding of iron status and helps in the diagnosis and management of anaemia related to iron deficiency.
We believe that incorporating RET-He into our CBC reports will enhance diagnostic accuracy and support more effective treatment plans. More information on RET-He can be found here.
If you have any queries regarding these intervals or would like further information on the reference interval study, please feel free to contact us.