The GD Animal Health clinical-chemical and haematological laboratory tests various types of samples mainly for chemical characteristics. The GD laboratory has been ISO 17025 accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Board (RvA) for a large number of laboratory tests (registration number L120 Testing). The clinical-chemical laboratory mainly uses standardised, internationally recognised methods. GD Animal Health has reference values of various parameters for every animal species. 

Diagnosis

The private practitioner decides about a combination of tests after consulting the GD Animal Health specialists. The results of this combination will provide the veterinarian information about the situation in a herd of individual animals, and the diagnosis can then be made. The clinical signs on a farm form the basis for this decision. Based on the diagnosis, the veterinarian and farmer can take the proper measures.

Testing

The methods used by GD Animal Health for clinical-chemical testing include the following:

• Capillary electrophoresis for serum proteins. With this technique proteins in the serum are separated using a thin capillary and high voltage. Then the proteins are demonstrated by light absorption.
• Immulite-analyser for analysing hormones and vitamins in blood.
• Automatic cell counters. These appliances are used for counting and demonstrating the various red and white blood cells.
• Clinical-chemical analysers are used for determining other blood components such as urea, glucose and enzymes.
• ICP (induced coupled plasma) is a technique that is used to determine minerals and trace elements.