Canine and feline haematology analysis: Comparative performance of technicon H*1 and AVL MS8 VET analysers

The performance of a prototype AVL MS8 VET impedance haematology analyser was compared with that of a Technicon H*1 flow cytometry haematology analyser using blood from dogs and cats. Analysis was performed with the AVL MS8 VET on the day of blood collection and with the Technicon H*1 on the following day. Differences were noted in feline leucocyte and platelet counts and in canine and feline mean cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin concentration between analyses. The results indicate that the AVL MS8 VET is a reliable analyser for blood samples from dogs but may not be for those from cats. Attention is drawn to the importance of considering the type of analyser, calibration of the analyser, time of analysis after blood collection (effect of postal delay) and the effect of anticoagulants.