Good question. The fresher the better, but the lab will often make them again after transit.
I have tried to get in to the habit of making them straight away and popping them in a rack. You should be absolutely fine doing it the way you are, but the longer in EDTA the more likely there is for some artefact.
Hope you are safe and well. Great question. Cas just like to do things differently!!!
The oxidative damage results in denaturation and precipitation of haemoglobin, with subsequent binding of the precipitated molecules to the internal surface of the erythrocyte membrane. Cats have a different red blood cell membrane composition. Feline red blood cells have relatively high concentrations of oxidizable sulfhydryl groups and so they are especially prone to Heinz body formation in association with oxidative damage. With a relative deficiency of glucuronide conjugation, they also are less able to defend against oxidative damage. Lastly, the feline non-sinusoidal spleen does not filter out Heinz body red blood cells efficiently.
Lesley, would you mind giving us an update on this case?
The liver certainly appears very abnormal. This could indicate neoplasia, but could still just be non neoplastic reactivate change. In an ideal world, I would take FNA’s if possible. FNA’s of the liver are not perfect and will not be diagnostic in many cases, but might be diagnostic in some neoplastic cases. In some cases the only way to make a definitive diagnosis is going to be a biopsy.
In cases where biopsy is not an option and I was to pick a regime of supportive care I would consider a combination of a product that contains sAME (Denamarin) and ursodeoxycholic acid (Destolit). Antibiotics are often not that useful in these cases. If all else fails then I do not disagree with good old steroids!
Log in to activate the form below and to access any credits you've previously purchased, or those you hold on your account as part of your membership. Members receive inclusive credits when the free trial period has ended.
