Equilibrium dialysis (ED) is considered the gold standard methodology when measuring Free-T4 in dogs and cats. Recent reports indicate that alternative methods for measuring Free-T4 may not offer any significant advantage over measuring TT4 alone, especially in dogs with non-thyroidal illness.* Despite recent logistical issues and increased costs, Gribbles Veterinary will continue to offer this […]
CRISTINA GANS Getting a diagnosis in an abortion outbreak can be challenging. Less than 50% of abortions investigated result in a diagnosis. A variety of tests are available at Gribbles Veterinary (including PCR, histology, microbiology and serology) which enhances our ability to obtain a diagnosis. However, this can also be confusing in terms of sample […]
CRISTINA GANS Clinical history: A five-year-old, female Rottweiler/ Labrador cross presented for a routine ovariohysterectomy. During the surgery a 5cm mass was identified in the left ovary. The entire uterus and both ovaries were submitted for histopathology. Post-mortem findings: After formalin fixation of the tissue, incision into the ovarian mass, revealed a mixture of tissues […]
ROBYN WINTERS Blood cells begin to degenerate as soon as they leave the body, and continue to do so in the sample tube. Blood cells from different species degenerate at different rates. For example, bovine and rabbit blood cells degenerate particularly quickly, but horse’s cells do not. By the time we receive the bloods in […]
BERNIE VAATSTRA Clinical history: A two-year-old, domestic shorthair cat died on arrival at the veterinary clinic. The owner reported the cat had been unwell and produced brown, syrupy urine the previous day. Concern was raised about the possibility of malicious poisoning, since there had been a spate of suspicious cat deaths in the neighbourhood. The […]
Many of our laboratories are reporting increased numbers of Salmonella isolates over the past month or more (from companion animals especially). MPI have advised us there is a cluster they are currently monitoring. The increase is occurring nationwide, but of note is a higher than normal occurrence in dogs from the upper North Island. Serovars […]
AMY WEEDEN Perianal tumours are fairly common in dogs. Distinguishing between the two neoplasms, which are specific to this anatomic location, is often straightforward. However, if this is not the case, there are some clinical and cytologic differences that will usually provide a definitive diagnosis. Circumanal gland tumours are also known as perianal gland tumours […]
ROB FAIRLEY Cutaneous mycobacterial infections are common in cats in New Zealand and a variety of different mycobacteria may cause cutaneous lesions. A study from the University of Melbourne several years ago, identified at least three different mycobacteria from lesions in cats from New Zealand. The most common was Mycobacterium lepraemurium, the classic cause of […]
CATHY HARVEY Clinical history: A six-month-old, female kitten was brought into a veterinary clinic with abdominal pain, lethargy and vomiting. In-clinic bloodwork and urinalysis were consistent with acute renal failure: BUN / urea >50 mmol/L (ref. 6.6-12.6), creatinine 992 umol/L (ref. 67-150), phosphate >5.81 mmol/L (ref. 1.07-2.22) and USG 1.012. Treatment was not elected and […]
KATHRYN JENKINS In a recent cytology smear from a cystic oral mass in a cat, we observed several clumps of large, polygonal, sky blue, keratinised squamous epithelial cells. There are a few scattered erythrocytes in the background for size comparison (see image below). An interesting finding were the mixed bacteria adherent to the squames, including […]