Z Zinc, Serum Level DEFINITION Zinc is an essential trace mineral that serves as a cofactor for enzymes in many tissues. It is important in regulation of the immune response,…
W Warfarin DEFINITION Commonly used rodenticide; testing is typically for retrospective confirmation (e.g., identification and prevention of future reintoxication or for legal purposes). Note: animals suspected of active hemorrhage due…
V von Willebrand Factor Assay DEFINITION Assay to detect von Willebrand disease (vWD), which results from decreased functional von Willebrand factor (vWF) and causes prolonged bleeding time and abnormal primary…
R Red Eye: Differential Diagnosis Regurgitation Causes From Ettinger S, Feldman E: Textbook of veterinary internal medicine, ed 6, St Louis, 2005, Saunders. AChE, Acetylcholinesterase; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus. Esophageal…
U Urinalysis DEFINITION Panel of screening tests done on urine to evaluate for inflammation, degenerative lesions, protein loss, neoplasia in the urinary tract, and systemic disease TYPICAL NORMAL RANGE Color:…
S Schistocytes DEFINITION Red cell fragments that are considered to be the hallmark of microangiopathic hemolysis SYNONYM Schizocyte PHYSIOLOGY Schistocytes result from shredding of red cells as they pass through…
T Taurine Blood Levels DEFINITION Amino acid with important role in retinal and myocardial metabolism TYPICAL NORMAL RANGE • Cats: <20 nmol/mL (plasma) is considered diagnostic of cardiomyopathy; cats with…
R Rabies Diagnostic Testing DEFINITION Evaluation of presence or absence of rabies virus infection TYPICAL NORMAL RANGE Results are reported as positive or negative. PHYSIOLOGY Rabies is an acute encephalitis…
N Neutrophils (Neutrophilia, Neutropenia) DEFINITION Blood leukocyte with segmented nucleus and inconspicuous cytoplasmic granules. Its primary functions during inflammation are phagocytosis and killing bacteria. SYNONYMS Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), segmented neutrophil…
N Nasal Flush SYNONYM Nasal lavage OVERVIEW AND GOALS • To obtain cells and/or tissue for diagnostic sampling of intranasal inflammation, infection, or neoplasia • To remove small nasal foreign…
