0.5mL serum (SST) pre-prandial and 0.5 mL serum (SST) post prandial from fasting patient (10-12 hours)

Refrigerate

Enzymatic/Automated chemistry analyzer

Results available daily

See 'Procedures & Specimen Requirements' Page.

0.5mL serum (SST) per specimen

1) Fast the animal approximately 12 hours and obtain a fasting (preprandial) serum specimen of at least 1mL. Label the tube Fasting or Preprandial. 2) Ideally, feed the animal a high­fat meal in order to stimulate gallbladder contractions. Minimum amount of food is 2 teaspooons for small patients (<10lb) and 2 tablespoons for large patients.

Hemolysis, lipemia, and icterus

Fasting or preprandial bile acid concentrations >10 umol/L and postprandial bile acids concentrations >20 umol/L are associated with hepatobiliary disease.

2mL serum (WTT). DO NOT use a serum separator tube

0.4mL serum (WTT)

Refrigerate

Automated chemistry analyzer

Results available daily

(See test procedure section)

1mL serum (WTT); Do not submit in SST

Hemolysis, icterus, and SST gel

Measure bromide concentration one month into treatment and again at 2 to 3 months (steady­state concentration). 1 month bromide concentration approximates ½ of future steady state concentrations; Therefore, dose may be adjusted proactively.

1 month into treatment, and again in 2­3 months. If postloading and one­ month concentrations vary more than 10% from each other, maintenance dose can be modified accordingly.

Canine: 1­2.mg/mL (100­200 mg/dl) in combination with Phenobarbital or 2.5 – 3.0 mg/mL (250­300mg/dl) as sole anticonvulsant (without Phenobarbital) * Steady­state drug concentrations are expected in 3­4 months. Due to patient variability, therapeutic drug concentrations should be interpreted in combination with patient’s clinical signs. (Also see Phenobarbital)