IGF1 levels correlate very closely with
Growth Hormone (GH) secretion and this enables an estimation
of the GH status to be made in dogs and cats. IGF1 is
very stable and no special sampling procedures are required.
IGF1 may be used to diagnose pituitary dwarfism and acromegaly
in cats and dogs.
Parathyroid Hormone
(PTH)
PTH may be used for the sensitive
diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), usually
caused by an adenoma in the parathyroid glands. Calcium
regulates PTH secretion via a negative feedback system.
In cases of PHP the negative feedback is lost and levels
of calcium rise (hypercalcaemia). An elevated PTH in a
hypercalcaemic dog with normal renal function is strongly
suggestive of PHP. Renal failure leads to very high levels
of PTH in both dogs and cats.
Cushing's disease in dogs also leads to very high levels
of PTH.
Sample preparation is critical for the accurate analysis
of PTH, see procedure below.
PTH Sample Preparation
NOTE: PTH
Sample Preparation - sample MUST be EDTA plasma
1. Request a transport pack for delivery to the laboratory.
2. Take the blood sample into a cooled plastic
(not glass!) EDTA tube kept on ice.
3. Mix well but gently and centrifuge as quickly as possible
(ideally in a refrigerated centrifuge).
4. Transfer the plasma into a cooled
plastic (not glass!) PLAIN tube kept on ice.
5. Immediately freeze (< -10°C) the plasma sample and keep
frozen until dispatch in the transport pack.
Erythropoietin
(EPO)
Erythropoietin (EPO) plays a key
role in the regulation of red cell mass and erythrocyte production.
EPO may be used to aid the differential diagnosis of polycythemia
and nonregenerative anaemia. Raised levels of EPO occur in polycythemias
and renal tumours. Low/normal levels may occur in renal failure.
Acetylcholine
Receptor Antibodies (ACRAB)
Acquired canine myasthenia gravis
(cMG) is an autoimmune disease of neuromuscular transmission
caused by autoantibodies directed against the acetylcholine
receptors at the neuromuscular junction. cMG can occur as two
forms, focal and generalised. In focal MG dogs usually present
with megaoesophagus as weakness affects the oesophageal, pharyngeal
and facial muscles. In generalised cMG there is widespread skeletal
muscle weakness which is made worse by exercise.
Positive serum ACRABs are highly suggestive of acquired cMG.
Type 2M Muscle Fibre
Antibody (2MAB)
Disorders of the muscles of mastication
occur relatively commonly in clinical practice and can be of
myopathic or neuropathic origin. Masticatory muscles are predominantly
composed of fibres designated as Type 2M. Masticatory muscle
disorders (MMD) can be diagnosed by the assay of serum from
affected animals to see if there are autoantibodies against
Type 2M fibres.
A serum sample is required.
Sarcoptic Mange
Antibody (SMA)
It is useful to be able to make
a firm diagnosis for the presence of sarcoptic mange mites as
this helps to choose the right treatment regime especially where
there may be breed sensitivity to some drugs. Skin scrapes often
fail to detect the presence of mites due to the difficulty in
actually finding the mites.
A serum sample taken 4 - 8 weeks post infection will detect
the presence of sarcoptic mange antibodies (IgG). A borderline
result should be repeated in two weeks. or diabetic control.
Allergy Testing
ALLERGY TESTING An allergy profile
is available consisting of the most commonly found allergens:-
Grasses:
Grass mix and Rye
Trees:
Hazel and Birch
Weeds
Mugwort, Plantain and Parieteria/nettle
Environmental:
House dust mites (D. farinae & D. pteronyssinus)
Storage mites(Tyrophagus and Acarus)
