CNYACE Event: Topics in Clinical Pathology

Recognizing and Trending Inflammation through Laboratory DataCourse Summary/Description: 

Detection of inflammation, one of the most commonly detected abnormalities in veterinary medicine, is key in the diagnostic work-up of sick patients, and sensitive trending of that inflammation provides critical feedback to the clinician as to efficacy of treatment or progression of disease. In this session, we will highlight laboratory measures of inflammation, including enhanced detection of a left shift and measurement of reticulocyte hemoglobin and C-reactive protein, a positive acute phase protein used commonly as a measurement of inflammation in veterinary practices overseas. A series of real clinical cases will be discussed that emphasize the importance of screening for inflammation in the evaluation of an “ADR” patient as well as trending objective indicators of inflammation to monitor response to treatment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Importance of objective measurements of inflammation
2. Identification of a left shift and tissue destruction on blood film
3. Understand reticulocyte hemoglobin and its role in inflammation detection
4. Understand C-reactive protein (CRP) and its role in inflammation detection
5. Importance of trending patient laboratory data to monitor inflammation

Laboratory Diagnosis of Tick-borne Disease

Course Summary/Description: 

In this case-based session, I will describe key bloodwork and blood film changes observed with tick-borne infections common here in Pennsylvania. As well, rapid in-clinic immunoassays and ancillary reference lab diagnostics for anaplasmosis and Lyme disease will be discussed, as well as important tips to avoid common pitfalls in making these diagnoses.

 Learning Objectives:

1. Understand indications and limitations of in-clinic rapid immunoassays in the detection and diagnosis of tickborne disease
2. Detection of inflammation and quantitative evaluation of thrombocytopenia on the CBC and blood film
3. Confident identification of rickettsial morulae on routinely stained blood films
4. Understand appropriate ancillary testing for common tick-borne diseases
5. Understand biochemical and urinalysis changes seen with Lyme nephritis

Pleural Effusion: A Tale of Three Kitties

Course Summary/Description: 

Too often, the fluids from tapped effusions are tossed in practice or submitted to the reference lab for analysis. In this session, I will equip attendees with the knowledge of proper in-clinic fluid analysis, allowing for accurate and timely results for proper patient management. In particular, we will discuss three cases of pleural effusion in young dyspneic cats and the necessary diagnostics to distinguish among the varied etiologies.

Learning Objectives:

1. Appreciate the utility in processing effusion analyses in-clinic for timely and accurate results to affect patient care immediately
2. Understand proper handling of effusions for analysis
3. Understand automated fluid analysis with in-clinic hematology analyzers
4. Understand manual cell count and differential determination.