Anyone ever get incorrect lab results?

[janedoe]

Our vet just called. I brought in all four of our dogs, one day at a time over the course of a week. Nikki's blood work came back with high potassium and low electrolytes so the vet was talking about Addison's Disease. Today Zo's came back with low potassium and low electrolytes. Our vet said that that can't be right as there are no indications of low potassium for Zo. She suspects that the results are incorrect and will rerun Zo's free of charge when I bring her in for her dental cleaning in a couple of weeks.

I find this alarming. Has anyone else had messed up lab results? I mean, I don't know what the tests are for potassium and electrolytes but now I suspect all of it.

[Snowco Labradors]

I had a screwed up test years ago for blood clotting (I was getting ready to do a breeding and god forbid needed an emergency C -section - or any surgery - clotting is very important) I made the vet redo that specific test and send it back in. They were not happy about it because I refused to pay for it (a second time) when it came back normal. Tells me the first test was not accurate at the lab.

It does happen and you have to be on top of it and be the "advocate" for your dog. Don't be afraid to question things and demand results.

[monsterpup]

No, but I'm suspicious of gunner's recent kidney results and am thinking of having him re-tested.

[Snowco Labradors]

No, but I'm suspicious of gunner's recent kidney results and am thinking of having him re-tested.

Did you fast for 12 hours prior? No food or water. Get the first appt. of the morning and get in the car and go to the vet for your blood draw.

A recent meal (or water) can show false elevation. Especially with kidney (or liver). been there myself with 5 dogs years ago during the major food recalls. New blood draw (fasted) had all dogs in normal range.

[Meeps83]

When they do a blood draw there are a number of things that can effect the results, potassium and glucose specifically, but every test can be effected. A sample can be hemolyzed (where the red cells break), clotted (the blood has clumps in it), an extended amount of time with a tourniquet on (fibrin strands, clots, elevated potassium levels), the order of draw can be incorrect (different additives transfer over as blood flows into the tube which will change the results), the tube could have been filled too low or high so that the level of additives in the tube are too much/little for the test to result properly. In the human world all of these factors are STRICTLY regulated. The analyzers HAVE to follow guidelines set by whichever governing body is licensing your facility. You have to perform qc, maintenance, and calibrations as needed. You have to maintain records per the governing body's guidelines. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how well regulated the veterinary laboratory industry is. To be honest, I'd only want my dog's blood drawn if I were allowed to do it and run the test myself (I'm in charge of the Hematology department but also run tests in every area of the laboratory at a clinic for one of the largest health systems in WI).

[Snowco Labradors]

" but every test can be effected"

While I respect your knowledge on humans.... certain tests are not effected in dogs (as to recent meal, fasting, etc.)

Progersterone, thyroid, titers for at least (distemper and parvo) to mention a few.....

But full blood work to check all organ function, etc. can be effected..... and the reason it is best to get the draw first thing in the a.m. prior to food or water.

[janedoe]

" but every test can be effected"

While I respect your knowledge on humans.... certain tests are not effected in dogs (as to recent meal, fasting, etc.)

Progersterone, thyroid, titers for at least (distemper and parvo) to mention a few.....

But full blood work to check all organ function, etc. can be effected..... and the reason it is best to get the draw first thing in the a.m. prior to food or water.

I think that Meeps is referring to human error. This is my primary concern as well. There is no way that two of my dogs have messed up potassium and electrolytes on opposite ends of the spectrum. Dollars to donuts, they'll trace it back to a technician who was working in that lab this week. I strongly suspect that that's why our vet tactfully suggested that we wait for a few weeks before retesting.

[Meeps83]

Yes correct, I was referring to human error. Thanks for clarifying me

[Doreen Davis]

We think a stool that I brought in on Anthony and Amy got swapped. Anthony's a pup, just came to us and it was Amy who tested positive for giardia. She had zero symptoms at 14.5 yo and he had soft stool etc. treated them both but we think they were mislabeled.

[Snowco Labradors]

I always worry about that and the reason I put the dogs name on the sample container myself.