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…
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…
