DYR214 Laboratory Diagnostics

The student should:

• Be able to use light microscope and know how a "Köhler" setting is performed.
• Be able to perform pipetting and know how a pipette is adjusted.
• Be able to calibrate a refractometer.
• Know how blood samples must be treated for diagnostics, storage and shipment, and be able to safeguard the test materials in a way that is gentle on the materials and gives the greatest probability for the most correct test results.
• Be able to assess if a blood sample is of diagnostic quality, and to perform differential count in the blood smear.
• Be able to identify platelet clumps and estimate the platelet count in the blood smear.
• Be able to perform bacteriological analysis using Uricult, including analysing the result.
• Be able to perform streak plate techniques on solid growth media according to aseptic guidelines.
• Be able to Gram stain bacterial cultures and differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative cells as well as determine cell morphology by use of light microscopy.
• Know the basic principle of antimicrobial susceptibility testing and interpretation.
• Have knowledge on relevant factors that can affect the reliability of a urine test.
• Be able to prepare urine samples for diagnostic and shipment, and have knowledge about the most common diagnostic findings on microscopic examination of sediment.
• Be able to perform urine stix analysis and specific weight by refractometry.
• Know about the principles and procedures for taking and preparation of skin samples and be able to identify the most common parasites and diseases in and on the skin.
• Be able to take stool samples or instruct owner to do this for virological, bacteriological and parasitological examination.
• Be able to perform flotation, McMaster and SNAP test techniques on fecal samples to detect parasites.
• Know about the principles around treatment and shipment of different types of biopsies, including fine needle aspiration.
• Be able to correctly treat a semen sample and have knowledge on how sampling of semen is performed. The student must also know how a semen sample is evaluated.
• Know about the principles and methods for quantification of immunoglobulins in serum or plasma.
• Have knowledge about principles behind and execution of rapid tests for measuring inflammation and autoimmunity in dogs.
• The student should know how to maintain and treat diagnostic equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges and refractometer.
• Know the main principles for blood transfusion and how to test recipient and donor before transfusion.

DYR214 will help the students acquire the skills and knowledge described in the following ACOVENE Competences from ACOVENEs Dossier of European Competences for the Veterinary Nurse :

• EC 8 Perform Laboratory Diagnostic Tests