Tech Tip: How to run diluted samples on your IDEXX VetTest® Chemistry Analyzer Follow these quick tips when preparing and running a diluted sample. Golden Retriever Country of Origin: England Common Illnesses: Skin diseases, allergies, fatty lipomas To prepare a dilution, it is best to start by using one part sample and one equal part diluent (see dilutions chart below). For example, if you aspirate 10 µL of sample, you would also aspirate 10 µL of diluent, and mix them together. Zena The IDEXX Integrated Practice is a more Diluent to use for: efficient operational model for veterinary Plasma or serum samples Urine samples Nicki Brentin, LVT Puget Sound Veterinary Referral Center—Tacoma, WA Use only normal saline (0.9%)Use only the deionized water supplied in the Urine P:C Ratio Sample Preparation Kit When aspirating your sample and the diluent, use an accurate measuring device, such as a syringe or calibrated pipette. Follow this sequence when running a diluted sample so that your VetTest analyzer automatically multiplies the test result by the dilution factor. This eliminates the need for you to calculate the result. Introducing the NEW VetTest Pipette Tip Select 1. New Sample from the main menu. Select 7. Dilution and enter the number for your parts diluent. Press E. The species menu appears. Continue the normal testing sequence. Old tip Parts Sample Parts Diluent* Total Parts (Dilution Factor) Expression 1 (10 µL) 1 (10 µL) 2 1:2 1 (10 µL) 2 (20 µL) 3 1:3 1 (10 µL) 3 (30 µL) 4 1:4 1 (10 µL) 4 (40 µL) 5 1:5 1 (10 µL) 5 (50 µL) 6 1:6 1 (10 µL) 6 (60 µL) 7 1:7 1 (10 µL) 7 (70 µL) 8 1:8 1 (10 µL) 8 (80 µL) 9 1:9 1 (10 µL) 9 (90 µL) 10 1:10 1 (10 µL) 10 (100 µL) 11 1:11 * Parts Diluent is entered in the VetTest analyzer when specifying parts diluent. 62 | VET TECH KNOW-HOW What would you do if you could get more done in less time? New tip Created specifically for veterinary samples, these new patent-pending tips—along with best practices in sample preparation—will help you get the most out of your VetTest analyzer. A special grooved design improves sample dispensing for the most consistent, best-quality results. We strongly encourage you to use these new tips and to discard any old tips that you have in inventory. If you have any questions, call us directly at 1-800-248-2483 or contact your IDEXX distributor to order the new style pipette tips. Volumes are for example only. A total volume of 40 µL is required to run a single test on the VetTest. For more helpful tips, visit the online VetTest Certificate Course at www.idexx.com/vettestcourse. DX Consult Published by IDEXX Laboratories Zena, an eight-year-old, spayed, domestic short-haired female, was transferred to our 24-hour emergency and critical care hospital by her regular veterinarian for pictures. At presentation, Zena was moderately icteric and had a very painful abdomen when palpated. The owners mentioned a decrease in weight and appetite. Zena was admitted to the hospital for diagnostics and treatments. An IV catheter was placed and fluids started. Radiographs were taken and blood was drawn. With our in-house lab equipment we ran a GHP (including lipase) on the VetTest analyzer, electrolytes and tests on the LaserCyte analyzer. An IDEXX SNAP® FIV/FeLV Combo Test was also done and came up negative for both FeLV and FIV. Coagulation was looked at by running IDEXX PT and aPTT cartridges. Lab work revealed an increase in ALKP (505 U/L), GLU (271 mg/dL), TBIL (6.8 mg/dL) and PT (28 seconds). All other values were within normal limits. Zena was started on antibiotics and pain medications, and an abdominal ultrasound was scheduled for the next day. Lab work was repeated 12 hours after Zena was admitted, and an improvement in liver values was shown. practices. Enabled by SmartLink™ technology, integration puts the entire practice to work for you—linking and automating equipment, services and data so you can get more done in less time. An integrated practice assembles information where you want it, when you need it for exceptional levels of medical care, productivity and profitability. Ultrasound revealed pancreatitis and mild to moderate peritonitis. The owners opted for conservative care for Zena. Antibiotics, pain medications and IV fluids were continued. Zena was looking better and was discharged. The owners were given instructions to recheck with their veterinarian in two days and given information on nutrition as well as medications. A follow-up ultrasound was performed a few days later, which revealed a decrease in abdominal fluid. Zena seemed to be doing much better and was very affectionate with the staff during the ultrasound. We were very happy to have the capability to check, and recheck, so many aspects of Zena’s case right here in our own hospital—chemistries, CBC, electrolytes, viruses and coagulation. NO. 1 VOL. 1 2008 Copyright 2003 by Randy Glasbergen. www.glasbergen.com VET TECH KNOW-HOW | 63