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…

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,…

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…

D D-Dimer DEFINITION Protein fragments that are formed from the degradation of cross-linked fibrin. They are specific for fibrin degradation products (fibrinolysis). This is a specific method of detecting active…

B Baermann Fecal Examination DEFINITION A method used for microscopic evaluation of fecal specimens for parasite larvae. Rather than being drawn to the surface, as with a fecal flotation, parasites…

A Acanthocyte DEFINITION Erythrocyte morphologic abnormality characterized by irregular, usually blunt projections from the normally smooth round cell membrane (from the Greek akantha, meaning “thorn”). SYNONYMS Burr cell, spur cell,…

Introduction to Laboratory Tests EDITOR Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP This section regroups over 150 diagnostic tests that are used widely in small-animal practice. Information is drawn from both basic…