Clinical hematology. In-clinic analysis, quality control, reference values, and system selection

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Clinical Pathology
• Diagnostic Laboratory Science

Background:

• In-office hematology testing is increasingly adopted by veterinary practices.
• Traditional manual methods for complete blood counts (CBCs) are labor-intensive and time-consuming.
• Advances in technology offer automated and semi-automated instruments for veterinary hematology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review manual methods for performing veterinary complete blood counts.
• To describe available automated hematology instruments for veterinary use.
• To discuss factors influencing test results and the necessity of quality assurance programs.

Main Methods:

• Review of established manual techniques for hematological analysis in veterinary samples.
• Description of various automated and semi-automated hematology analyzers suitable for veterinary diagnostics.
• Discussion of pre-analytical and analytical variables impacting CBC results.

Main Results:

• Automated and semi-automated instruments provide more efficient and precise veterinary hematology testing compared to manual methods.
• Proper operation of hematology analyzers is crucial for reliable diagnostic outcomes.
• Quality assurance programs are essential for maintaining accuracy and consistency in veterinary hematology testing.

Conclusions:

• The transition to automated hematology analyzers enhances diagnostic capabilities in veterinary practices.
• Understanding factors affecting results and implementing robust quality assurance are vital for accurate veterinary diagnostics.
• Modern hematology instruments offer significant advantages in speed, precision, and efficiency for veterinary clinical pathology.