Examination of body fluids

In dogs, the pericardial sac contains about 0.3 ml, and the pleural and peritoneal cavities 0-15 ml of clear, straw-colored fluid of pH 7.4, specific gravity 1.016, protein content less than 3.0 g/dl and cell count less than 3000/microliter. Fat can be cleared from chylous fluid with NaOH and ether. Inflammation is indicated by a cell count greater than 3000/microliter. Amylase levels in peritoneal fluid are elevated in necrotizing pancreatitis. The percentage of polymorphonuclear WBC exceeds 50% in bacterial inflammations. Normal joints contain less than 1 ml highly viscid, clear or straw-colored synovial fluid with less than 1000 nucleated cells/microliter. Synovial fluid becomes flocculent and less viscid in septic and occasionally in immune-mediated arthritis, often with cell counts greater than 75,000/microliter, with 75-90% polymorphonuclear WBC. Cerebrospinal fluid is normally acellular, clear and colorless but may be red, yellow or brown with intracranial hematomas. Viral or aseptic meningitis is characterized by mononuclear cell counts of less than 500/microliter. In acute bacterial meningitis, nucleated cell counts are greater than 1000/microliter, with most being polymorphonuclear WBC. Gram staining of cerebrospinal fluid is not useful.     

Clinical evaluation of ketone bodies in body fluids of cows in late pregancy and their fetuses

Ketone body concentrations were determined in six body fluids of cows in late pregnancy and their fetuses (blood plasma and urine of cows, amniotic and allantoic fetal fluids, and fetal blood serum and urine) using the head-space gas chromatographic method. Physiological ratios 0/T% of oxidized (acetone and acetoacetic acid) to total (acetone, isopropanol, acetoacetic and 3-hydroxybutyric acids) ketone bodies were below 10% in cow blood plasma and urine, fetal serum and urine, and allantoic fluid, and below 20% in amniotic fluid. A scheme for the evaluation of the degree and duration of ketosis based on the 0/T% ratio is proposed. The existence of a renal regulatory mechanism for excretion of ketone bodies is suggested by analogy with the renal acidobasic regulation.     

Clinical evaluation of ketone bodies in body fluids of cows in late pregnancy and their fetuses

Ketone body concentrations were determined in six body fluids of cows in late pregnancy and their fetuses (blood plasma and urine of cows, amniotic and allantoic fetal fluids, and fetal blood serum and urine) using the head-space gas chromatographic method. Physiological ratios O/T% of oxidized (acetone and acetoacetic acid) to total (acetone, isopropanol, acetoacetic and 3-hydroxybutyric acid) ketone bodies were below 10% in cow blood plasma and urine, fetal serum and urine, and allantoic fluid, and below 20% in amniotic fluid. A scheme for the evaluation of the degree and duration of ketosis based on the O/T% ratio is proposed. The existence of a renal regulatory mechanism for excretion of ketone bodies is suggested by analogy with the renal acidobasic regulation.     

Validation of an adenosine deaminase assay and its use in the evaluation of body fluids in dogs

Adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) (EC 3.5.4.4) was determined according to the method of Slaats and associates in the autoanalyzer Hitachi 705.(1) The analytical quality was controlled. Accuracy was tested by supplementing a sample with an ADA solution. The measured difference of ADA was close to the calculated one. The within-run and between-run precision of the method was sufficient. The detection limit was 1 U/l. ADA measurements were set in relation to a canine plasma pool and expressed as a percent to achieve reproducibility due to the lack of a commercial ADA standard. Body cavity effusions of 156 dogs were examined. The ADA of neoplastic effusions and the ADA of cardiac congestive effusions differed highly significantly (p < 0.001) in pleural and in peritoneal effusions. A discrimination value of 60% for pleural and a discrimination value of 100% ADA for peritoneal effusions separated neoplastic from cardiac congestive effusions. ADA determination in the serum of dogs did not contribute to the etiological differentiation of effusions. The elevation of ADA seemed to originate from the effusion, because the ratio of ADA (effusion/serum) was relatively high in cases of canine neoplasia. In this analysis the ADA in body cavity effusions of dogs was determined for the first time.     

Immunoglobulin concentrations in ovine body fluids.

Ovine IgG, IgM and IgA and antisera specific for these immunoglobulins were prepared. The specific antisera were used to estimate the immunoglobulin concentrations in certain sheep body fluids. IgA was shown to be the major immunoglobulin in saliva, lung and lachrymal fluid, tracheobronchial and nasal secretions while IgG was the predominant immunoglobulin in colostrum, milk, bile and serum.     

Sensitivity and specificity of cytologic evaluation in the diagnosis of neoplasia in body fluids from dogs and cats

Sensitivity and specificity were determined for the cytologic detection of malignant tumors in canine and feline body cavity effusions. In a prospective study, 424 body cavity effusions from dogs and cats were collected and evaluated, including 70 pleural and 163 peritoneal effusions from dogs, and 77 pleural and 114 peritoneal effusions from cats. Final diagnoses were confirmed in 339 of the 424 cases by clinical follow-up, necropsy, and in the case of malignant tumors, Histopathology. Malignant tumors were found in 18% of canine and 25% of feline body cavity effusions. Approximately one-half of tumors in both dogs and cats were carcinomas. Discrete cell tumors accounted for 56% of feline neoplastic effusions. The sensitivity of cytologic evaluation for the detection of malignant tumors in body cavity effusions was 64% for dogs and 61% for cats. Specificity was 99% for canine and 100% for feline effusions. Sensitivity and specificity were comparable to those obtained with cytologic evaluation of human samples.     

Laboratory evaluation of liver disease

With respect to liver disease, the primary function of the laboratory is to identify its presence. Tests are not available that permit a specific diagnosis and an accurate prognosis. Several tests should be present in a minimum data base that can help identify hepatobiliary disease. They are ALT, SAP, total serum bilirubin, urine bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin, BUN, glucose, red cell morphology, and urine sediment. It is sometimes possible to tentatively identify whether a disease is primarily hepatocellular or biliary from the pattern of changes that occur in these tests. In addition, an estimate of the severity is sometimes possible when abnormal values are extreme. The keys are to avoid overinterpretation, use serial evaluations, and rely on a liver biopsy when definitive answers are needed. If liver disease is suspected but there are only marginal changes in the routine tests, the more sensitive tests of function, BSP retention and ammonia tolerance, are warranted. In the future, as more knowledge is gained about the responses of ARG, GGT, and ICG retention to naturally occurring diseases, these tests may join or replace some of those currently used. Also, as the ability to accurately and economically measure the various bile acids improves, a sensitive, yet noninvasive, method to detect and define modest changes in hepatobiliary function may result.     

Laboratory evaluation of malassimilation in horses

Malassimilation should be suspected in horses with weight loss in spite of a good appetite. Malassimilation is usually confirmed with oral glucose or D-xylose absorption tests, whereas the oral lactose tolerance test can be used to evaluate lactase deficiency in foals. Once malassimilation is confirmed, other diagnostic tests such as abdominocentesis, rectal mucosal biopsy, or exploratory laparotomy with intestinal biopsies may determine the etiology of malassimilation.     

Sonographic evaluation of the normal and abnormal pancreas

Pancreatic disorders in dogs and cats are recognized with increasing frequency, and abdominal ultrasonography has assumed an important role in their diagnosis. The normal pancreas is a small, inconspicuous organ of comparable echogenicity to surrounding mesentery and may be difficult to identify. Therefore, knowledge of anatomic landmarks such as portal vein and contributing vessels, duodenum, and stomach is necessary to facilitate identification and examination. Pancreatic diseases and abnormalities frequently investigated by means of ultrasonography include pancreatitis, pseudocysts, abscesses, neoplastic lesions, and nodular hyperplasia. Disorders less commonly seen include exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatolithiasis, congenital anomalies, and pancreatic edema. Unfortunately, ultrasonographic findings in various pancreatic disorders overlap, and incidental findings or age-related changes may mimic pancreatic disease. On the other hand, pancreatic disorders may not cause changes in ultrasonographic appearance. Ultrasonographic findings, therefore, have to be judged in light of signalment, history, and laboratory data. Cytology or histopathology may be needed to establish a definite diagnosis. Despite these limitations, ultrasonography is useful in diagnosing pancreatic disease, guiding aspirates and biopsies, and monitoring response to treatment.     

Laboratory evaluation of commercial hyaluronate sodium products

Eight commercial equine products which utilize hyaluronate sodium as the active ingredient were tested by various means of chemical analysis. These laboratory tests revealed a considerable variation among the eight products tested. Hyaluronic acid concentration for one product was labeled as 5 mg/mL; the other 7 products were labeled as containing 10 mg/ml. Protein concentration varied from 3.33 to 13.83 ppm, intrinsic viscosity varied from 246 to 3978 ml/g, kinematic viscosity varied from 10.3 to 30375 centipoise, and molecular weights were from 82,000 to 2,650,000.     

Diagnostic value of exfoliative cytology of body fluids in dogs and cats

A method for collecting body fluids for cytological examination and their subsequent preparation and staining is described. The results of the cytological examination of 80 dogs and 26 cats over a period of three years are reported, indicating the number and types of condition which can be diagnosed, together with the clinicopathological correlations.