Interpretation of Test Results

For some analyses, young animals have different reference intervals than adult animals. The reference intervals stated in test results from the Clinical Pathology Laboratory refer to adult animals. For animals up to six months old, different values ​​sometimes apply. 

If you would like further interpretation assistance, you are welcome to contact us for veterinary medical consultation: tel. +46 18-67 16 19

• Reference range for young animals (in Swedish) (PDF)

• Regenerative anemia (PDF)

Qualified hematological diagnostics

In many hematological diseases, manual microscopic assessment is central to being able to make the correct diagnosis and give the animal adequate treatment. If, for example, immune mediated hemolytic anemia, oxidative poisoning or leukemia is suspected, microscopy is required for diagnosis. It is possible that the platelet count will be falsely low when analyzed in an instrument and therefore blood smears should always be checked if thrombocytopenia is suspected.

At the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, hematological samples are analyzed with an advanced hematological instrument and blood smears are made on all samples. The blood smears are stained with May Grünwald-Giemsa stain and assessed under a microscope by experienced personnel. If necessary, the sample is submitted to a veterinarian with specialist competence in hematological diagnostics, who writes a comment and provides information on how to interpret the test result.

We also perform certain complementary examinations at no extra cost when indicated, such as tests for autoagglutination in cases of suspected immune mediated hemolytic anemia and staining for Heinz bodies in cases of suspected oxidative poisoning.

Progesterone

When analyzing progesterone, the values ​​may differ depending on the analysis method. At the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, an Immulite 2000xPi is used. We have developed an interpretation template for mating time that applies to samples analyzed by us.

Progesterone in determining the mating time in female dogs 

Depending on the analysis method used, progesterone concentrations can vary, which is important to keep in mind when interpreting the test results. Below are general tips for interpreting progesterone analyzed at the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, SLU University Animal Hospital.

The bitch ovulates when the progesterone concentration is approximately 12–24 nmol/L. After ovulation, it takes about 2 days for the eggs to mature and become ready for fertilization. This is also the optimal mating time, and progesterone is then often above 30 nmol/L.

IGF-I and IGF-II

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) can be used in the diagnosis of acromegaly, dwarfism or hypoglycemia due to neoplasia.

• Factors to consider when analyzing IGF-I (in Swedish) (PDF)

Pancreatitis - quantitative cPL and fPL

Analysis of cPL (canine pancreatic lipase) and fPL (feline pancreatic lipase) can be used to diagnose pancreatitis in dogs and cats respectively. In dogs, the reference range is <200 µg/L and there is a gray zone in the concentration range 200-400 µg/L. Values ​​>400 µg/L may indicate pancreatitis and the likelihood of acute pancreatitis increases if cPL is significantly elevated, >1000 µg/L. In cats, the reference range is ≤3.5 µg/L and there is a gray zone in the range 3.6-5.3 µg/L. Elevated concentrations of cPL and fPL should not be used alone to diagnose pancreatitis, but the results should be interpreted together with the history, clinical findings and results from, for example, imaging and other laboratory tests.