Biochemistry

• How much blood is needed?
• SVS Laboratories uses the DGGR method for assessing total lipase which is sensitive and specific for detecting pancreatitis.
• Hyperlipidaemia in miniature schnauzers. Hyperlipidaemia refers to an elevation in serum triglyceride (TG) and/or cholesterol concentration.
• Serum Amyloid A (SAA) in Neonatal Foals
• Assessing Transfer of passive immunity in foals: Immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins are commonly assessed in foals to ensure that transference of passive immunity is sufficient for protection until the foal develops its own antibodies.
• NEFA vs BOH: Which one to assess? Concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxy-butyrate (BOH) reflect mobilisation of adipose tissue in response to an imbalance between feed intake and milk production.
• Hypokalaemia as a cause for recumbency in cattle. Hypokalaemia is common in acutely unwell dairy cows, however, is usually mild and produces few clinical signs.
• Non- Parturient hypocalcemia in Dairy Cows. In the last 2 weeks we have seen several cases of hypocalcemia in dairy cows.
• Magnesium: some lesser known effects of derangements. Two cases that highlight the diversity and complexity of Mg functions. (Article first published in VetScript, New Zealand Veterinary Association, February 2017)
• Inflammatory Markers in Cats. How often have you felt sure that your feline patient had an inflammatory condition and yet a CBC didn’t support it?
• Bile acid testing in companion animals. Bile acids are manufactured by the liver and secreted into the GI tract via the bile. 
• Interpretation of In-clinic results. Do you have in-clinic results that you would like interpreted?
• Laboratory tests for the thin elderly cat. Loss of weight is common in elderly cats. Sometimes the cause is readily diagnosed on physical examination such as dental disease, or on routine testing which detects hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus. Click link for other possible causes.
• Idiopathic hypercalcaemia in cats
  In cats, there are several causes for hypercalcaemia including hypercalcaemia of malignancy and chronic kidney disease. However, idiopathic hypercalcaemia is now considered the most common cause for a high serum calcium concentration in cats. 

Cytology

• A picture is worth a thousand words
• Endometrial swabs, avoid cellular degeneration
• Quik Dip and Other Rapid Stains
• Lymph Nodes Cytology in Cats and Dogs (Part 1)
• The effect of formalin on cytological samples and blood smears
• Wound Sampling for Culture & Cytology. Obtaining diagnostic specimens can be important for management of wound infections. (Article first published on cliniciansbrief.com in March 2020)
• Mast Cell Tumour Staining. Mast cell granules often stain poorly with rapid stains such as Diff Quik. 

Endocrinology

• Trilostane Monitoring
• Diagnosis of Hypoadrenocorticism
• Monitoring cats after radioactive iodine.
• Pars Pituitary Intermedia Dysfunction in Ponies

Genetic Testing (referred service)

• Canine and Feline Genetic Tests (Please contact the Lab to obtain a buccal swab and instructions for sample collection)
• Canine and Feline Genetic Test info

Haematology

• How much blood is needed?
• Blood smears: A critical part of the CBC!
• An upgrade to the laboratory Haematology Analyser.
• Pallor vs Anaemia.
• Chronic Theileria orientalis Ikeda infections.
• Thrombocytopenia in Cats and Dogs.
• Blood smear making technique and tips.
• Interpretation of In-clinic results. Do you have in-clinic results that you would like interpreted?
• Diff Quik Stains Diff Quik (DQ) stains are commonly used in practice to examine blood smears and cytology samples. It is a three-step system using methanol as a fixative followed by an orange/eosinophilic solution then a blue/basophilic solution. Learn more about Diff Quick stains.

Histopathology & Necropsy

• Postmortem Examination Tip, Gastrointestinal Samples
• A picture is worth a thousand words!
• Hispathology Tip: Inking Surgical Margins
• Postmortem Examination Tip: More is Better!
• Bovine Abortion Investigation – Best samples for optimal diagnostic chances!

Microbiology

• Helpful tips to get the most out of your cultures (Microbiology)
• Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic bacterium
• Pink Eye (Moraxella bovis)
• Lesser known mastitis pathogens
• Antibiotic sensitivity testing for anaerobes
• Wound Sampling for Culture & Cytology. Obtaining diagnostic specimens can be important for management of wound infections. (Article first published on cliniciansbrief.com in March 2020)

Molecular Diagnostics (PCR)

• Nasopharyngeal Swab Technique for Cattle
• Polymerase chain reaction ringworm test
• Real-time PCR tests to diagnose the cause of foal diarrhoea. The advantages of using real-time PCR tests to diagnose the cause of foal diarrhoea. (Article first published in VetScript, New Zealand Veterinary Association, September 2017)

Parasitology

• Enteric Coccidia in Calves. Coccidiosis due to Eimeria is most common in young or nave calves.
• Ostertagia ostertagi immunology and implications for diagnosis. Genevieve DAmours of SVS Laboratories discusses the ins and outs of the abomasal parasite Ostertagia ostertagi, including diagnostic options. (Article first published in VetScript, New Zealand Veterinary Association, August 2019)

Serology

• How much blood is needed?
• Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Cats. While many cats are exposed to Toxoplasma gondii at some point in their lives clinical disease is infrequent with most developing asymptomatic immunity.
• Diagnosing Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Confirming a diagnosis of FIP is not easy. Clinical signs are often non-specific, routine blood work is not pathognomic and serological testing, PCR and histopathology often cannot provide a definitive diagnosis.

Specimen Reception

• How to Package Samples for Delivery to the SVS Laboratories. Samples need to be packaged using the 3-layer IATA packaging system. This consists of a primary receptacle, secondary receptacle and an outer shipping container.

Testservices

• Urolith Analysis. There is a new submission process! Your clinic will need to create an account with the Minnesota Urolith Centre (online) and fill out all the information.

Toxicology

• Nitrate test kit instructions for use in clinic testing
• Avocado toxicity. Not all avocado species are toxic but Haas, a commercial variety grown in NZ, is with the leaves, fruit, bark and seed containing the toxin persin
• Ionophore Toxicity. Sensitivity to the toxic effects of  ionophores varies markedly between species
• Lolitrem B intoxication (perennial rye grass staggers) Perennial ryegrass can become infected with an endophytic fungus which produces tremorgenic compounds, the most important of which is Lolitrem B.
• Anticoagulant Toxicity.  Any species can be affected but it is most common in dogs.

Trace Element testing

• Can serum copper testing help base decisions on supplementation programs? The answer is yes it can, to a limited degree.