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Sample location on slides

Kathryn JenkinsOur laboratory automated stainers use an alcohol-based stain, which provides enhanced stain quality and consistency when staining large numbers of cytology smears and blood films. Compared to quick (aqueous based) stains, alcohol-based stains (such as modified Wrights) allow improved characterisation of nuclear detail, and increased detection of mast cells (especially poorly differentiated cells), granular […]

Beware – poisonous trees

We have had a report from a client after a farmer lost a couple of cattle beasts after ingesting leaves/berries from a Cherry Laurel tree.Unlike real laurels (e.g. bay tree and other ๐˜“๐˜ข๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ sp.) the cherry laurel (๐˜—๐˜ณ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ถ๐˜ด ๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ค๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ด) and the Portuguese laurel (๐˜—๐˜ณ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ถ๐˜ด ๐˜ญ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ข) although morphologically similar to those of laurel, contain toxic cyanogenic […]

Bovine adenovirus in young cattle

Alice FraserBovine adenovirus raises its ugly head each autumn and winter in young cattle, 6 to 12 months of age (predominantly rising one year olds/R1s). Clinical presentation is usually acute scours (watery to haemorrhagic) and rapid death, or sudden death without preceding signs noticed. Occasionally, respiratory signs are noted. Usually a few animals in a […]

Disseminated canine protothecosis

Lisa Hulme-MoirA four-year old male neutered Cavoodle was presented to a referral clinic with a three-month history of haemorrhagic colitis that had not responded to treatment with antiparasitics, antibiotics or dietary modification. He had been started on corticosteroids but over the weekend had developed acute blindness in one eye due to exudative retinal detachment and […]

CADET BRAF – sample containers

Weโ€™ve had great interest in the CADETยฎ BRAF testing since introducing it in June (read more about it here).Sample containers can now be found on our website but are not available to purchase.  Instead you will be directed to contact our Palmerston North laboratory to order them (they are free of charge).ยทย Specimen:ย 40 mL free-catch urine […]

Ovine parasitology toolbox

. . . target, review investigate.August is a great time to be getting on top of ovine parasites. Find a link to our fabulous ovine parasitology toolbox booklet here – it covers testing options and detailed recommendations for best practice:– Targeted drenching – is drenching required?– Drench review – is the current drench working?– Investigation […]

BVD bulk milk Lab-Portal – such a breeze to use! ย 

> Does your clinic help organise bulk milk BVD testing for multiple clients?ย  > Do you struggle keeping track of which farm needs testing when? > Are you looking for the perfect testing options that can be adapted depending on your client?Our BVD bulk milk Lab-Portal helps reduce the administration work load when carrying out […]

Winter wellness checks

August is the coldest month of the year, but at least it means spring is just around the corner. It is also a great time to get animals checked over – a pet warrant of fitness! Does your clinic offer clients wellness checks over the winter months for older or overweight pets?Health screening plays an […]

Good news for an old cat

Emma GulliverThis case explores a congenital cause of a mass lesion in the tongue of a senior feline.Clinical history:Jasper, a ten-year-old male neutered Tonkinese x Rex cat, presented for an ulcerative lesion on the dorsal surface of the tongue (Figure 1). He had a history of self-trauma and scratching at the face. The lesion was […]

Cytologic grading of canine mast cell tumours

Sandra BullaAn update:Mast cell tumours (MCT) are the most common skin neoplasia in dogs, shown to occur with a frequency of approximately 20% of all canine skin tumours. Although it can occur in any breed, the prevalence is consistently reported in many studies from different countries to be higher in some breeds. Some examples of […]