"The LaserCyte^® has made life so much easier for our busy equine practice. I could do up to 15 hand-differentials a day, so having the LaserCyte 5-part differential is wonderful. Also, I love being able to just drop a blood tube in the LaserCyte and walk away. It's so easy to run, anyone on our staff can do blood work because training is minimal. Finally, the machine is fairly maintenance-free, which means I can rely on it without constantly performing maintenance."

Traci Oliveira, Veterinary Technician
Fairfield Equine Associates
Newtown, Connecticut

Hematology and Feline Health

FIV/FeLV
FeLV and FIV infection in cats is relatively common and often associated with a variety of clinical problems. Hematology abnormalities are commonly seen with both virus infections, particularly with FeLV infection.

Erythron—Nonregenerative anemia and macrocytosis (increased MCV) with or without an associated anemia is commonly associated with FeLV infection. The need for accurate reticulocyte counts and red blood cell indices to monitor potential red blood cell abnormalities is essential.

Leukon—Leukopenia, with or without other cytopenias, may be seen associated with either FeLV or FIV infection. Accurate leukocyte counts without interferences with nucleated red blood cells or platelet clumps is required to be able to detect developing leukopenias when following serial complete blood counts (CBCs). In cases of immunosuppression associated with FIV infections, recurring infections and various inflammatory conditions may be seen; accurate leukocyte differential counting and total white blood cell counting are valuable in the detection of developing or recurring inflammatory conditions.

Thrombon—Thrombocytopenia, with or without other cytopenias, may be seen associated with various myeloproliferative conditions related to FeLV infection; therefore, accurate platelet counts are important. Large and dysplastic platelets are commonly associated with FeLV infection; accurate mean platelet volume (MPV) measurements may prove helpful in identifying developing problems.

Myeloproliferative disease—Myeloproliferative disease is commonly associated with FeLV infection. Accurate differentiation between leukocytes and nucleated red blood cells that may be seen with bone marrow stromal damage associated with this group of diseases or associated with a proliferative condition of erythrocytes, erythremic myelosis, becomes essential. Although the LaserCyte analyzer, like any other advanced hematology analyzer, will not be able to accurately classify neoplastic immature leukocytes in circulation, differentiation of these cells from nucleated red blood cells is possible and becomes an important component to the initial evaluation of the abnormal hematology presentation.

Why test for FIV and FeLV?
FIV and FeLV account for the highest number of feline-related deaths from infectious diseases globally, affecting millions of cats each year.¹ Many cats you wouldn't suspect of being at-risk for exposure can be at risk. Retrovirus testing provides peace of mind for the pet owner, reduced transmission to other cats by identifying positive cats, and a chance for infected cats to lead healthy lives with proper medical care.

Every kitten, sick cat or at-risk cat you see presents an opportunity to help a cat, provide better care and grow your business.² On the average, two cats come into your clinic each day that should be tested.³

Explaining the Importance of FIV/FeLV Testing to Your Clients
Your clients are concerned about the health of their cats. In fact, 80% of cat owners said they would pay for a test if their veterinarians recommended it.⁴ By offering each of your clients the opportunity to screen their cat for FIV/FeLV, you're giving them something they want—a comprehensive picture of the pet's condition.

You can educate your clients about the risk of FIV/FeLV, and offer screening results during a single visit. Some ways you can improve client compliance:

• Send annual reminders for FIV/FeLV vaccinations.

• Offer an FIV/FeLV observation form and client brochure to every cat owner who enters the clinic.

• Make sure your clinic environment supports education about testing with countertop cards and posters.

• Initiate a discussion with your clients about their pets' environments, personalities and habits to determine if their cats are at-risk.

Here are some new tools from IDEXX to help you deliver the FIV/FeLV testing message to your clients.

FIV/FeLV Negative Results Client Sheet
These tear-off pads reinforce the importance of testing for these potentially deadly diseases. It also affirms that knowing retrovirus status is essential for the veterinarian to provide better care. (75 KB)

FIV/FeLV Positive Results Client Sheet
These tear-off pads provide a management plan for infected cats. With proper care, infected cats can often live long and healthy lives. You can provide emergency contact information and symptoms to monitor. (971 KB)

Kitten Pack Brochure
These brochures describe the five steps in ensuring a healthy kitten and describe tips for long-term care. Topics include FIV/FeLV, parasitic and infectious diseases screening, and vaccinations. Includes a customer rebate on a follow-up FIV/FeLV test. (150 KB)

Order Form
This order form can be used to order any additional free feline client materials. (129 KB)

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IDEXX LaserCyte® Hematology Analyzer supports important testing phases at Jersey Fresh CCI event

Veterinarians attending the 2^nd Annual Jersey Fresh CCI last month used the IDEXX LaserCyte Hematology Analyzer to test horses between phases at the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team selection trial. This world-class equestrian event, held in New Jersey, included 112 competitors vying for a chance to perform in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Greece.

The selection trial, which occurred over three days, evaluated horses and riders in three phases:

• Dressage
• Endurance
• Show jumping

The full suite of IDEXX VetLab® analyzers, used for chemistry, hematology, electrolyte and endocrinology testing, was used for all three phases of competition, but it was particularly helpful for the endurance phase. "We expected the endurance phase to be a busy lab day—especially since weather forecasts called for a spiking heat wave," said IDEXX Equine Sales Specialist, Cheryl Blakey. "Only three horses ultimately required full health panels, but the veterinarians were pleased to have such fast and accurate results to support their treatment of those cases."

IDEXX equipment also provided critical data during the dressage phase, when veterinarians ran blood tests on 26 horses with clinical signs of dehydration and discomfort. Some horses were declared unfit and prevented from competing for health reasons.

Event organizers have already requested an IDEXX VetLab for next year's competition. "We hope someday to place a full IDEXX VetLab suite with the LaserCyte analyzer with the U.S. Equestrian Federation to use at all their sanctioned events around the country," noted
Ms. Blakey.

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Providence, Rhode Island
Sunday, August 8, 2004, 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Northeast Veterinary Conference (NEVC)
Rhode Island Convention Center

Blood-Smear Evaluation: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Technician Training)
Allan Rebar, DVM, PhD

Providence, Rhode Island
Monday, August 9, 2004, 8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Northeast Veterinary Conference (NEVC)
Rhode Island Convention Center

Red and White Cell Responses in Disease/Case-Oriented Approach to Hemogram Interpretation
Allan Rebar, DVM, PhD

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Database Backup

The LaserCyte analyzer's computer functions as the command center for the IDEXX VetLab® system and as your client history database. We recommend that regular weekly backups of the client database are performed so that, in the event of a computer failure, the client database can be restored onto a replacement computer.

The LaserCyte computer has a CD drive that can copy the database onto a CD-R. Each time a data backup is performed, a complete copy of the patient database is performed. The same disc can be used multiple times because when the file is copied to the disc, the session is left open so subsequent databases can be copied. Because the files are not being overwritten, the disc will eventually become full. When this happens, the computer prompts you with a message asking you to insert a blank CD-R to continue. After you have performed the data backup with a new disc, it is not necessary to save the old disc.

To perform a data backup, tap the Instruments button and then tap the Back Up button. Insert a CD-R and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the data backup.

If you ever need to restore the data onto a different computer, tap the Instruments button and then tap the Restore button. Follow the onscreen instructions to continue.

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How does your LaserCyte® Hematology Analyzer help you deliver better patient care?

We would like to hear your thoughts about how your LaserCyte helps you test, diagnose and treat patients... and so would your peers.

Submit your comments or case studies to share with your peers.

With your permission, your name and comments may be featured in upcoming issues of the Diagnostic Edge.

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