Packed Cell Volumes Total Proteins Blood Smear Prep

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Packed Cell VolumesTotal ProteinsBlood Smear
Prep
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PCV (Packed Cell Volume)

• In the CBC, we determine the number of RBCs in
  several different ways. The quickest and easiest
  is called the hematocrit, also referred to as the
  packed cell volume (PCV).
• The hematocrit or the packed cell volume will
  tell you if the animal is dehydrated or anemic.

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• Whole blood is collected in an anticoagulant,
  EDTA, and placed in a capillary tube.
  Microhematocrit tubes should be filled to the
  designated line, with one ended plugged with clay
  sealant

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• A blood sample should be spun in a
  microhematocrit centrifuge for 2-5 minutes.
• Lie the tube in the centrifuge with plugged end
  to the outside. Note the number of your slot.
  Ensure that a balancing hematocrit tube is placed
  opposite, either by someone placing their tube
  there, or by adding an empty tube
• The cells are heavier than the plasma and are
  compacted at one end of the tube.

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• The bottom of the RBC layer should be at the
  zero line and the top of the plasma on the top
  line (page 37 Fig 2-7)
• PCV is determined as the percentage of the
  cellular portion relative to the total amount of
  blood in the tube

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Plasma Evaluation

• Plasma color and transparency may be helpful in
  the determination of a diagnosis and should be
  recorded .
• Normal plasma is clear and a pale straw yellow
  color
• Cloudy Serum lipemic
• Reddish Tinge hemolyzed
• Yellow Icteric (liver dz)
• If the serum is anything but clear, a falsely
  elevated total protein will result.
• Page 36

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Plasma Protein Concentration or Total Protein /
Total Solids

• Plasma Protein concentrations estimation by
  refractometry is an important component of the
  CBC in all species
• The plasma used to determinate the TP is
  collected by breaking the hematocrit tube just
  above the buffy coat- plasma interface.

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• The plasma is allowed to flow onto the
  refractometer prism.
• Page 37 fig 2-9

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Blood Film / Smears

• The blood film is used to perform the
  differential WBC count estimate platelet
  numbers and evaluate the morphological features
  of WBCs, RBCs and platelets.
• Wedge smears are prepared by placing a small drop
  of blood on a clean glass microscope slide

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Diff Quick Stain
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• Always stain using the lightest to darkest stain.
• Dip each slide 10-12 times
• Remember which side of your slide is up.
• Rinse off stain using a gentle stream of water.
• Allow slide to air dry.

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Overstaining of a slide