Clinical Laboratory

It is recommended that the student is aproved to the Curricular Units of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Cytology and Histology, Biochemistry, General Pathology and English.

Expository method in a classroom context.

Practical laboratory methodologies.

Presentation of practical cases and scientific articles and reference guidelines.

Webinars with guest speakers.

The goal is to learn laboratory diagnosis and interpret the results in order to provide the basis for a correct diagnosis.
The student will be able to perform the laboratory techniques described below and interpret the results in a coherent, applied and informative way.
– Collect biological material for analysis;
– Perform biochemical blood tests;
– Perform blood count;
– Perform urine and fecal tests;
– Interpret the results and explain the most relevant deviations;
– Carry out microbial research on other types of samples.

• Introductory concepts: Normal curves in clinical laboratory settings; Reference intervals and units and interpretation of results; Notions of sensitivity and specificity, accuracy and precision; Registration and identification of biological samples and their proper packaging for shipment to external laboratories. Equipment in a veterinary clinical analysis laboratory. Laboratory errors.

• Cytopathology: Collection and shipment methods to the laboratory. Sample preparation for microscopic analysis and evaluation of its quality for diagnosis. Cytology of skin, ear, skin tumors and effusions.

• Clinical microbiology: Aseptic collection, transport, registration and identification; Bacteriological and mycological analyses for microbiological diagnosis in the veterinary field.

• Capillary tests: Trichogram – collection and analysis methods; Mycological analysis: Wood’s lamp and fungal culture.

• Clinical hematology applied to laboratory diagnosis: Collection methods, interpretation of the blood count and cytological evaluation of the blood smear.

• Urinalysis: Methods for collecting and evaluating cytological and microbiological biochemical parameters. Antibiograms: Interpretation of results.

• Coprology: Methods for collecting and identifying parasitic forms routinely used in clinical laboratories.

• Laboratory analyses of milk and ruminal fluid.

• Clinical biochemistry: Laboratory evaluation of electrolytes, acid-base balance, lipids, proteins, and minerals related to bone metabolism. Enzymology and quantification of the main enzymes used in laboratory diagnosis. Laboratory evaluation of the gastrointestinal system, muscle, immune response, endocrine glands, renal, hepatic, and pancreatic function.

Understanding biomarkers.

• Molecular biology: Interpretation of PCR results and comparison with classical techniques.

Periodic Assessment:

The theoretical assessment will consist of two written exams with equal weight. The theoretical assessment accounts for 50% of the final grade.

The practical assessment consists of two written theoretical-practical exams and two laboratory activities, all with equal weight. The practical assessment accounts for 50% of the final grade.

Final grade of the periodic assessment = 0.5 x Theoretical + 0.5 x Practical

To pass the course through the periodic assessment, it is necessary to simultaneously meet the following requirements:

a) Attendance in at least 75% of the classes taught;

b) Minimum grade of 7.5 points in each element of the assessment;

c) Final grade, rounded to the nearest whole number, equal to or greater than 10 (ten) points.

Parents/Guardians may use the records of the periodic assessments from the previous academic year in which students obtained a grade equal to or greater than 9.5 points.

Final Assessment by Examination:

Theoretical Written Examination (E) 50% + Theoretical-Practical Written Examination (ETE) 25% + Laboratory Practice (PL) 25%

Final Grade (Final Assessment) = 0.5 * E + 0.25 * ETE + 0.25 * PL

When a student fails the periodic assessments, they are entitled to a final exam. The conditions for assessment by exam, regular period, recovery, and special period are described in the student performance assessment regulations of the Coimbra School of Agriculture, ref: RG_RAAE, dated 26-07-2013, and other applicable legislation.

NAO