infocus #30 June 2013 Microscopy in Veterinary Practice

David Scarff discusses the various uses of the microscope in a veterinary clinic and its common applications.

DOI: 10.22443/rms.inf.1.95

Microscopy is an essential technique in veterinary general practice. This article discusses how the role of microscopy in veterinary practice has evolved from its beginnings and where the opportunities and limitations are to be considered in modern veterinary microscopy in a general practice setting.

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Author

David H. Scarff

BVetMed CertSAD MRCVS, Anglian Referrals

After qualifying as a veterinary surgeon from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 1980, David joined a (very) mixed general practice and was involved in the medical and surgical care of companion animals (dogs, cats and small mammals), livestock, horses and some exotic pets. He was also involved in providing a pathology and microbiological diagnostic service for domestic poultry, introducing him to the value of microscopy in practice. After seven years he returned to the RVC Hertfordshire campus as a research scholar in the Dermatology department providing clinical services and receiving training in dermatohistopathology. Whilst there he was involved in developing and teaching the undergraduate dermatology course. In 1988 he was appointed Director of the RVC first opinion teaching hospital in Camden Town, overseeing the practical teaching of small animal medicine and surgery. He continued teaching dermatology at undergraduate and post graduate Technique Examples Urinalysis Examination for crystals suggestive of calculi. Examination of stained samples of sediment for bacteria, inflammation or neoplasia. Parasitology Examination of coat brushings for flea faeces. Examination of skin scrapings for ectoparasites or dermatophyte fungi. Examination of faecal samples for nematode eggs. Microbiology Examination of exudates for bacteria. Examination of skin samples for bacteria, yeasts or dermatophytes. Identification of bacteria or fungi from culture plates. Cytology Examination of fine needle aspirate samples or direct impression smears for inflammatory or neoplastic cells, usually using rapid Romanowsky stains. Figure 4. Fine needle aspirate from the dog in Fig 3 demonstrating neoplastic mast cells. Table 1: Techniques using microscopy in veterinary general practice examinations in the diagnosis and management of clinical disease. Specialisation in veterinary practice is becoming more widespread but it is still the case that the same practitioner who examines a dog with a skin mass (Figure 3), will perform a fine-needle aspirate at the consultation, stain and examine the sample (Figure 4) at lunch-time and perform excision surgery the next day. level and provided a dermatology referral service for veterinary practices in central London. In 1992 he left the RVC to establish his dermatology and dermatological pathology service in East Anglia, becoming more involved in giving advice on microscopy to veterinary surgeons.