M Magnesium DEFINITION Essential nutrient and major divalent cation. Serum total magnesium includes protein-bound (30%), anioncomplexed (15%), and ionized (55%) fractions. SYNONYMS Mg, Mg2+ TYPICAL NORMAL RANGE Range: 1.5-2.7 mg/dL….
L Lactate DEFINITION Metabolic end product of anaerobic glycolysis SYNONYM Lactic acid TYPICAL NORMAL RANGE Range: 1.8-22.5 mg/dL; <2 mEq/L (experimental studies, primarily in dogs at rest). Unit conversion: mg/dL…
K Ketonuria DEFINITION Ketones (acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyr-ate, acetone) in urine TYPICAL NORMAL RANGE Reported as negative or slight (1+), moderate (2+), marked (+3) PHYSIOLOGY Urine is normally negative for ketones. Their…
I Insulin and Insulin/Glucose Ratio DEFINITION Insulin is a hormone produced and secreted by the β cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. It promotes cellular uptake of glucose, notably…
H Heartworm Antigen and Antibody Tests DEFINITION Antigen test kits detect adult heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen. Antibody tests detect circulating antibody to either microfilarial cuticular antigen or to adult heartworm…
G Gamma-Glutamyltransferase DEFINITION Serum enzyme used as marker for liver disease associated with cholestasis SYNONYMS GGT, γ-glutamyltransferase TYPICAL NORMAL RANGE Dogs: −0-6 U/L. Cats: −0-4 U/L. PHYSIOLOGY Membrane-bound enzyme present…
F Fecal Culture DEFINITION Analysis of feces for enteric bacterial pathogens TYPICAL NORMAL RANGE Reported as negative or degree (slight, moderate, heavy) of growth of specific pathogens PHYSIOLOGY Chronic diarrhea,…
J Jugular Catheter Placement and Management OVERVIEW AND GOALS Jugular venous access is essential in small-animal critical care and general medicine for a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic reasons. •…
E Eccentrocyte DEFINITION Erythrocyte damaged by oxidants. Characterized by focal area of fused membranes with eccentric displacement of hemoglobinized cytosol and loss of any central pallor. The collapsed area with…
