VALIDATION OF THE TECHNICON H-ASTERISK-1 FOR THE AUTOMATED CELL COUNTAND CELL-DIFFERENTIATION OF FELINE BLOOD-SAMPLES

The Technicon H1 gives a reliable CBC in the cat except the thrombocy te count. The differentiation of neutrophils and lymphocytes is accura te enough for clinical purposes. The differentiation of eosinophiles i s not accurate. The monocyte estimations of the Technicon H1 differ f rom those of the reference method, a 400 cell leucocyte differential c ell count. Storage of the blood at room temperature and at 4 degrees C is possible for three days, but storage at room temperature for seven days results in a significant decrease of neutrophils.