Clinical Medicine and Diagnostic Support


Content index:

 

 

Pet fish

If you are a pet fish owner in need of diagnostic services, you should contact a local veterinarian or make an appointment with the Zoological Medicine department in the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary Medical Center, University of Florida, Gainesville by calling (352) 392-2235.


Click here to find an aquatic veterinarian

 

 

Photo courtesy of: Florida Tropical

Fish Farmers Association


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Aquaculture

The Fish Health Laboratory is within the Program of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences in Gainesville, FL, and is supervised by Dr. Petty. The laboratory offers diagnostic support to Florida aquaculture producers and assists county agents.

The Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory is located in Ruskin, FL, and is supervised by Dr. Yanong. This laboratory offers diagnostic support to Florida aquaculture producers.

Both laboratories require submission of a separate water sample in addition to sick fish. Click here for information on how to properly collect fish and water samples.

Diagnostic services are not free; please contact the laboratory for pricing:
Gainesville: Tina Crosby (352) 392-9617 x230
Ruskin: Debbie Pouder (813) 671-5230 x106


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Contracts for Clinical Care

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Aquatic Animal Health Program provides clinical support for facilities that are committed to development of state of the art health care programs for aquatic collections that may include mammals, fish, and sea turtles. Currently this involves Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida. This facility houses a variety of animals that have been rescued but because of a number of health factors can not be returned to the wild. This partnership provides experience and training in marine mammal health care for our aquatic animal resident and students. It can also support animal friendly research projects that are geared toward improving the health care and husbandry of rehabilitated animals.

Please contact Dr. Mike Walsh for more information on these services.

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Non-Contract Clinical Support

Where facilities do not require full assistance in the maintenance and development of clinical programs we can provide additional assistance with clinical visits for support during development of new programs or to aid in special procedures requiring additional expertise in clinical care issues, diagnostic, anesthesia and surgical support with our colleagues in these specialty services.

Please contact Dr. Mike Walsh for more information on these services.

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Diagnostic Support


CLINICAL PATHOLOGY


Manatee Blood Studies

1) Permit #: MA791721-4 Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit for research on manatees. Expires: Feb. 14, 2011
2) Permit #: MA067116-0 Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit for research on manatees. Expires: Oct. 27, 2008
3) University of Florida IACUC #D882 exp: 10/11/08

Purpose: To evaluate the hematology and clinical chemistry of normal and diseased manatees.

Approach: We will continue to develop a data base of hematology and clinical chemistry test results from normal manatees of various ages and sexes because our initial studies demonstrate significant differences between juvenile and adult animals for many of the laboratory tests, as well as a few differences attributable to sex. This data will be used to create valid reference intervals. Blood will be analyzed from both captive and wild-caught animals, and these groups will be compared to demonstrate that dietary or environmental differences between captive and wild animals result in differences in laboratory values. Depending on the differences identified, management of captive animals might be altered. Blood will also be collected from injured and ill animals that are captured and/or maintained in captivity. Results from these animals will be compared to normal animals to determine what parameters might be useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of disease. Changes in leukograms do not appear to be as dramatic in manatees as they are in many other species with inflammatory diseases; consequently, we have examined several acute phase proteins in serum to see which assays may be helpful in recognizing the presence of occult inflammatory diseases. Of the test examined, serum amyloid A (SAA) appears to be most helpful; consequently, we routinely perform this assay to determine if occult inflammation is present. We will analyze blood from all available manatees at least once. This will include samples collected by scientists who are studying manatees in the wild, veterinarians who care for injured animals, and blood from healthy and ill animals in marine parks. Samples are brought directly to Gainesville or sent to Gainesville by FedEx. We will email back results for those submitting the samples to use in the management of ill animal.

 

Costs: There will be no charge for diagnostic samples with accompanying submission of requested written information on clinical history and sample handling. (See links below). Tests that will be performed for those submitting appropriate samples and documentation include a CBC, clinical chemistry profile, and serum protein electrophoresis. To encourage submission of samples from various facilities around the state and nation, we will prepare mailing packages (contact Melanie Pate below) and provide participants with our FedEx number so there is minimal inconvenience and cost.


Clinical History and Sample Information Form for Blood Samples (PDF)


Directions for Blood Sample Collection and Shipment:
1. Notify Dr. John Harvey’s lab of the date samples are to be collected and shipped by contacting Melanie Pate at (352) 392-2246 ext 3832 or Dr. Harvey at ext 3833. Samples must be shipped on the day of collection and be no more than one day old when received.

2. Use the following types of blood collection tubes to collect blood from each animal, labeling each with animal ID and collection date:

A. Purple Top (EDTA) (1)

B. Red Top (no additive) for serum (2)

C. Green Top (Lithium heparin) (2)

3. Prepare 2 fresh blood films from each animal from EDTA blood; label films and place in pasteboard slide-holders; seal in a separate zip-lock bag to prevent deterioration due to moisture. Blood cells deteriorate rapidly over time and samples for complete blood counts (purple tops) must be received within 24 hrs of sampling.

4. Provide clinical history and sample handling information for each manatee using the form provided. If you wish to use a clinical data sheet of your own, please add any information we have requested to your form.

5. After collection centrifuge samples collected in red top tubes; transfer serum to clean tubes containing no additives. Label tubes as “serum,” in addition to ID and collection date.

6. As soon as possible, centrifuge lithium heparin; transfer plasma to clean tubes containing no additives. Label tubes as “heparin” or “heparin plasma” in addition to ID and collection date.

7. Place labeled sample tubes in bio-hazard secondary packaging provided. Seal and place bag in styrofoam cooler with frozen ice pack, separating samples from ice pack to avoid any freezing.

8. Tightly close cooler and secure with packing tape. Complete sheet that lists contents of package and tape to top of cooler so that it will be visible if package is inspected. Place blood films and data sheets inside outer cardboard box. Seal box with packing tape. DO NOT place Diagnostic Specimen stickers on box. Using a Sharpie pen, mark the outside box as “EXEMPT PATIENT SPECIMEN.” On FedEx form, select “NO” option for “Does this shipment contain dangerous goods?”

9. Ship using FedEx Standard Overnight to the following address (Monday through Thursday):
University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
Clinical Pathology
Attn: Tina Conrad, (352) 392-2235 ext 4414
2015 SW 16th Ave
Gainesville, FL 32608

10. If there is an EMERGENCY (ill manatee) and sample must be shipped on FRIDAY, please NOTIFY Melanie Pate at (352) 392-2246 ext 3832, or if unavailable, call Tina Conrad at (352) 392-2235 ext 4444 or 4414. Use the following address, being sure to indicate Priority Overnight (4a on FedEx form) AND Saturday delivery (6 on FedEx form):
University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
Small Animal Clinic/Clinical Pathology
Attn: Tina Conrad, (352) 392-2235 ext 4400
2015 SW 16th Ave
Gainesville, FL 32608

11. Sunday Laboratory Operations: Arrangements may be made in advance to analyze samples on Sunday, but no FedEx delivery is available. Consequently, samples would need to be hand delivered.

12. Dr. Harvey's FedEx account number will be provided for samples that are assayed at no cost to the submitter.

13. FedEx now requires that 7 day/24 hr phone numbers from shipper and consignee are placed on the outside of the shipping box. The address and phone numbers below should be used for consignee. However, the 24 hr number will only become active after Melanie is notified at (352) 392-2246 ext 3832.

CONSIGNEE:
University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
Attn: Tina Conrad
2015 SW 16th Ave
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 392-2235 ext 4400

PERSON RESPONSIBLE:
Melanie Pate (352) 392-2246 ext 3832 or (352) 222-0187

14. Provide information concerning sample handling.

  • Indicate blood samples collected (label): EDTA • Serum • Li Heparin
  • Indicate Approximate Time of Sample Collection
  • Indicate approximate time of serum and plasma separation by centrifugation
  • Name of Person(s) samples collected and centrifuged by

15. Provide information so that results can be returned or contacts can be made for questions. (Results on ill animals can be faxed to sender immediately when indicated.)

  • Mailing address
  • Telephone number
  • FAX number
  • Email address

 


Directions for Blood Film Preparation:

Step 1. A small drop of well-mixed blood is placed on one end of clean glass slide using a microhematocrit tube.

Step 2. A second glass slide (spreader slide) is placed on the first slide at about a 30 degree angle in front of the drop of blood and then backed into the drop of blood.


Step 3. As soon as the blood flows along the back side of the spreader slide, the spreader slide is rapidly pushed forward.

Step 4. The blood film is rapidly air dried by waving vigorously in the air. Do not blow on the slide to hasten drying, because the moisture in your breath will lyse cells. A hair dryer works well for drying blood films, so long as only the warm setting is used, and the slide is held about a foot away from the dryer.

Step 5. Label the slide using a graphite pencil or ink marker that is not dissolved when the slide is placed in an alcohol fixative.

Step 6. Place the slide in pasteboard slide-holders and seal in a separate zip-lock bag to prevent deterioration due to moisture.

 

Contact information:
Dr. John Harvey
Phone: (352) 392-2246 ext 3833
FAX: (352) 392-8908
Email: harveyj@vetmed.ufl.edu

Melanie Pate (Technologist)
Phone: (352) 392-2246 ext 3832
FAX: (352) 392-5145
Email: patem@vetmed.ufl.edu


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PATHOLOGY

Please visit our Exotic Pathology page for submission and contact information.


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PARASITOLOGY

Please visit our Clinical Microbiology, Parasitology, and Serology Service page for submission and contact information.

 

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