Veterinary Research Services Equipment

IDEXX ProCyte DX Hematology Analyzer 

Required Sample type: at least 50 µL of Whole blood

• EDTA tubes (lavender tube)
• Homemade tubes: the concentration of EDTA should not exceed 3mg/mL

When collecting samples, thoroughly mix samples after adding blood to tube by inverting tube multiple times, do not shake sample vials.  A clotted sample will yield incorrect results.

Run samples within 4 hours of collection, refrigerate for up to 12 hours.

Locations:

• Medical Center (MB018)
• Healthy Kentucky Research Building (HKRB 072)

CBC Cost:

• See Current Per Diem Rates and Charges.
  • IDEXX CBC

All samples will be run by DLAR Veterinary Services (VS) Staff.  Please coordinate with Taylour Mims or Nikki Caudill prior to collecting blood samples to ensure samples may be run in a timely manner.

Manual Differential: Peripheral Blood Smear can be made at your request and read by VS at the current Vet Tech Time charge with a minimum charge of 30 minutes, or given to you for evaluation

Dot Plots: 

• Dot plots can be used to identify abnormalities within patient samples.  Each dot represents an individual cell in this critical component of a complete blood count. Viewed together, they provide a snapshot of cellular morphology.  Interpreting dot plots  

AbaxisVS2                                                                                                                                                 

All Samples will be Processed by DLAR VS Personnel please contact Taylour Mims or Nikki Caudill prior to collecting blood samples to ensure samples may be run in a timely manner.

Required Sample type: at least 100 µL of Serum

• Serum separator tubes (marble top or plain red top no additive tubes)

Run samples within 5 hours of collection or refrigerate up to 48 hours or freeze samples up to 5 weeks.

In-House standard profile:

Comprehensive Diagnostic Profile: GLU, ALB, ALP, ALT, AMY, BUN, Ca, CRE, GLOB, K+, Na+, PHOS, TBIL, TP

Chemistry Cost:

• See Current Per Diem Rates and Charges.
  • Vet Tech Time minimum 30 minutes
• Each rotor/sample takes 15 minutes to yield results

If a rotor yields an error of “insufficient sample” and a sample must be run again, the extra rotor(s) will be charged.

To view other Blood Chemistry Profiles or in the orange bar click on Test profiles if you are using the Abaxis VS2 link above.  Use the navigation arrows to scroll right through the 12 selections. 

• Rotors must be ordered by requesting lab through Lori Lunsford

Other Available Profiles for Abaxis VetScan2:

   Electrolyte plus: Cl-, K+, Na+, tCO₂

12/box

   Kidney Profile Plus: GLU, ALB, BUN, Ca, Cl-, CRE, K+, Na+, PHOS, tCO₂

12/box

   Mammalian Liver Profile: ALB, ALP, ALT, BA, BUN, CHOL, GGT, TBIL

            12/box

Contact Lori Lunsford for current pricing.

Located in HKRB 085 (Stationary) 

Capabilities:

Heating & Cooling

Housing Density

32 Static cages per Unit

5 mice per cage 

Quantity

DLAR has 3 for your use

Moveable

Capabilities:

Heating Only 

Housing Density

32 Ventilated (Only) cages per Unit

4 mice per cage (Maximum) 

Quantity

DLAR has 6 for your use

These procedures are for the Annual Validation of Equipment Cleaning and Disinfecting for maintaining compliance with IACUC Policy 137.

After disinfecting your equipment, the effectiveness of your cleaning process will need to be tested at least once a year!  This will be part of the IACUC semiannual inspection.  DLAR will offer services to assist PIs to remain in compliance with IACUC Policy 137.   

Labs deciding not to validate cleaning efforts themselves, DLAR will assist with the required testing: 

• Providing every piece of equipment that falls into the parameters outlined in IACUC policy 137 with a serial number.
  • Serial numbers not able to be placed on the piece of equipment directly will be given a special binder to maintain serial number documentation.
• Contact Kristin Fox via email kristin.fox@uky.edu to schedule yearly testing 7 business days prior to the requested test date.
  • Equipment being tested for the first time will need a short description of the equipment being tested.
• Testing of the equipment should be done as soon as possible after cleaning.
  • Before your appointment, clean and disinfect the equipment to be tested.
  • The USDA website has detailed guidelines regarding both Cleaning and Disinfecting.
• A staff member from DLAR Vet Services will come and swab the equipment being tested.

If the equipment was properly cleaned and disinfected, you will receive a printout of the results for the equipment being tested, for the lab’s records.

In the event the equipment fails the swab test:

• The Lab will need to schedule another appointment for follow-up testing.
  • DLAR staff will not wait for you to re–clean/disinfect equipment.
• Labs that utilize this service will be charged Vet Tech Time (15 minutes minimum) along with the cost of each swab used. The most current prices for these charges are listed on the Per Diem page of the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources website and are updated annually at the start of the new Fiscal year.

• DLAR will use a handheld swab testing device that detects Adenosine Triphosphate (ADT) the source of energy for use and storage at the cellular level.
• DLAR Veterinary Service Staff will swab and area approximately 4”x4” on the piece of equipment.
• The fluid inside the swab will combine with any ATP left behind on the piece of equipment during swabbing and will cause a bioluminescent reaction
• The handheld device will measure the light emitted in Relative Light Units (RLUs)
• Results
  • < 200 RLUs is Passing Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures are adequate.
  • ≥ 200 RLUs is Failing Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures are inadequate, another appointment will be required for retesting.

DLAR Service: Equipment Validation PDF (2 pages)