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:…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
