Antech Diagnostics currently reports both quantitative platelets counts and platelet estimates from examination of the blood smear. For cats, platelet clumping is a commonly observed phenomenon affecting as many as 75% of feline blood samples, no matter how well they are collected. Platelet clumping prevents the accurate enumeration of platelets, whether by machine or manual methods. In such cases, the reported platelet number represents only the minimum number of platelets, whereas the platelet estimate more accurately depicts the patient's platelet status. In dogs, platelet clumping is seen less often. When clumps are present, the blood smear estimate should be relied upon to reflect the actual platelet status.

Several species of birds and reptiles have equal or greater numbers of lymphocytes than heterophils. Amazons are a noteworthy example of this, and their CBCs normally show high - normal or high numbers of lymphocytes.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to increasing DOT and OSHA safety requirements, Antech will no longer be able to pick up samples submitted in a syringe with a needle attached. Please send all specimens in containers or tubes provided by Antech.