CANINE AND FELINE HEMATOLOGY ANALYSIS - COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF TECHNICON H-ASTERISK-1 AND AVL MS8 VET ANALYZERS

The performance of a prototype AVL MS8 VET impedance haematology analy ser was compared with that of a Technicon H1 flow cytometry haematolo gy analyser using blood from dogs and cats. Analysis was performed wit h the AVL MS8 VET on the day of blood collection and with the Technico n H1 on the following day. Differences were noted in feline leucocyte and platelet counts and in canine and feline mean cell volume and mea n cell haemoglobin concentration between analyses. The results indicat e that the AVL MS8 VET is a reliable analyser for blood samples from d ogs but may not be for those from cats. Attention is drawn to the impo rtance of considering the type of analyser, calibration of the analyse r, time of analysis after blood collection (effect of postal delay) an d the effect of anticoagulants.