VETERINARY MEDICINE, Dec 1, 2004

Features

Symposium on a three-minute peripheral blood film evaluation

By Fred L. Metzger Jr., DVM, DABVP (canine and feline practice)

Many veterinarians and technicians do not routinely evaluate blood films microscopically, largely because they lack confidence in either preparing a well-made blood film or in being able to accurately identify important abnormalities.

Three-minute peripheral blood film evaluation: Preparing the film

By Fred L. Metzger Jr., DVM, DABVP (canine and feline practice) , Alan Rebar, DVM, PhD, DACVP

A peripheral blood film evaluation should be part of all complete blood counts, regardless of whether hematology is performed in-house or at a reference laboratory.

Three-minute peripheral blood film evaluation: The erythron and thrombon

By Fred L. Metzger Jr., DVM, DABVP (canine and feline practice) , Alan Rebar, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Evaluating a peripheral blood film validates cell counts performed by hematology analyzers, plus it offers valuable diagnostic information relayed by erythrocytes, platelets, and leukocytes.

Three-minute peripheral blood film evaluation: The leukon

By Fred L. Metzger Jr., DVM, DABVP (canine and feline practice) , Alan Rebar, DVM, PhD, DACVP

In this article, we again use a question-based format to guide you in evaluating the leukon by assessing white blood cell numbers and morphology.

Departments

Editors' Note: Veterinary Medicine sightings

By Margaret Rampey

Practitioner Advisory Board member Dr. Gary Norsworthy recently sent us this photo of his hospital cat Buster. Dr. Norsworthy explained that Buster was exhausted after a hard day of entering data into the computer, answering phone calls, and reading important journal articles.

Dermatology Update: A new look at ulcerative dermatosis of Shetland sheepdogs and rough collies

By Karen A. Moriello, DVM, DACVD

Ulcerative dermatosis of Shetland sheepdogs and rough collies is an inflammatory, erosive skin disorder of unknown etiology.

Dental Corner: Diagnosing and treating chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis

By Daniel T. Carmichael, DVM, DAVDC

Chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis (CUPS) is a painful condition in dogs that is also known as ulcerative stomatitis, idiopathic stomatitis, and lymphocytic-plasmacytic stomatitis.

Idea Exchange: Use a calendar to keep track of expiring drugs

Each January, we print out a calendar for the next two years and write the expiration dates for all our injectable drugs, dispensed drugs, and test kits on the corresponding months.

Idea Exchange: Put a sock on your prep vacuum

Place a thin sock over the exhaust hose of your surgical prep vacuum to prevent stray hairs from flying around the prep room and contaminating your equipment and surgical site.

Idea Exchange: Get cats out of their carriers and onto the scales

If you are having trouble getting a fractious cat out of its carrier and onto the scale, simply take the top off the carrier and hold the carrier top over the scale to create a different hiding place.

Idea Exchange: No more cold exam tables

After hearing comments that our stainless steel exam table was cold, we took the table to a local auto shop and had the mechanics apply a polyurethane lining used on truck beds (Rhino Linings).

Idea Exchange: Shave surgery sites to avoid confusion

If I recommend that a pet have a growth removed, I shave the area around the growth, with permission from the owner.

Idea Exchange: An easy way to keep patients in the dark

Instead of stuffing towels into cage doors to darken the kennel, we fashion a piece of dark fabric, as shown, to hang on the door.

Mind Over Miller: You know you're getting older when...

By Robert M. Miller, DVM

As we age, we tend to be unaware of our advancing years. Even as we stiffen and suffer aches and pains, we still think of ourselves as young.