EKF Diagnostics for Veterinary Clinics: What You Need to Know

The Importance of Veterinary Diagnostics

In veterinary medicine, accurate and rapid diagnostic testing is essential for effective treatment and patient care. Whether monitoring a critical case, assessing performance in equine athletes, or conducting routine health screenings, veterinary professionals need reliable diagnostic tools to make informed decisions. EKF Diagnostics, a trusted name in point-of-care testing, provides high-quality solutions tailored to the unique needs of veterinary clinics. Two standout products in their veterinary range are the Hemo Vet Blood Analyser and the Lactate Scout Vet.

vet examining a dog

Hemo Vet Blood Analyser: Comprehensive Haematology Testing

Why Do Vets Need a Blood Analyser?

Haematology testing is fundamental in veterinary medicine, helping to assess overall health, diagnose diseases, and monitor treatment effectiveness. The Hemo Vet Blood Analyser offers quick and precise results, allowing veterinarians to perform on-the-spot blood testing without needing to send samples to an external laboratory.

Key Features and Benefits:

  • Fast and Efficient – Provides results in just minutes, ensuring immediate clinical decision-making.
  • High Precision – Utilises the photometric azide methemoglobin method, ensuring reliable results with a coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 2%.
  • Minimal Sample Volume – Requires only 8-10 µL of venous, arterial, or capillary blood, minimising stress on the animal.
  • User-Friendly Design – Features a large, backlit display with step-by-step instructions, guiding users through the testing process efficiently.
  • Portability – Weighs approximately 700 grams and includes an integrated rechargeable battery with up to 100 hours of operation, making it suitable for both clinic and field use.
  • Data Management – Equipped with internal memory capable of storing up to 4,000 results and a bi-directional interface for seamless integration with third-party software.

Key Parameters Measured:

  • Haemoglobin (Hb): A critical protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transportation. Measuring haemoglobin levels helps assess an animal’s oxygen-carrying capacity and detect conditions like anaemia.
  • Haematocrit (HCT): Represents the proportion of blood volume occupied by red blood cells. It’s essential for evaluating blood viscosity and overall health status.

Clinical Applications:

  • Anaemia Detection: Quick identification of low haemoglobin levels to diagnose and manage anaemia.
  • Dehydration Assessment: Evaluates haematocrit levels to detect dehydration or overhydration states.
  • Pre-Surgical Evaluation: Ensures animals are fit for surgery by assessing their haematological status.
  • Blood loss: A low haemoglobin level can indicate significant blood loss, either from trauma, surgery, internal bleeding, or chronic conditions such as gastrointestinal ulcers.

Maintenance

This device performs auto-self tests so does not require maintenance. However, the Hemo Vet should be cleaned at least once each month. Depending on usage and sample throughput, more frequent cleaning may be required.

Only Hemo Vet Cleaner should be used to clean the optics. To clean the optics the cuvette holder must be removed from the instrument. The cuvette holder should also be cleaned with a cleaning solution or an aqueous disinfectant solution.

Lactate Scout Vet: Monitoring Lactate for Performance and Health

Why is Lactate Measurement Important in Veterinary Medicine and Diagnostics?

Lactate testing is critical in assessing shock, sepsis, dehydration, and performance-related conditions in animals. Increased lactate levels often indicate anaerobic metabolism due to poor oxygen delivery, which can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. The Lactate Scout Vet is an essential tool for veterinarians, particularly those working with equine and small animal critical care cases.

Key Features and Benefits:

  • Rapid Results – Provides lactate measurements in just 10 seconds, allowing immediate assessment.
  • Small Sample Size – Requires only 0.2 μL of blood, reducing discomfort and stress for animals.
  • Handheld and Portable – Ideal for use in both clinic settings and the field.
  • Highly Accurate – Uses enzymatic amperometric detection, ensuring reliability even in critical cases.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity – Allows data to transfer to a computer or other devices for record-keeping.

Key Parameters Measured:

Lactate Levels: Measures lactate concentrations in the blood to assess metabolic stress, oxygen deficiency, and exercise performance.

Clinical Applications:

  • Shock and Sepsis Monitoring: Helps detect circulatory compromise in critical patients.
  • Dehydration Detection: Provides insight into fluid loss and rehydration needs.
  • Equine Performance Assessment: Evaluates lactate clearance in racehorses and performance animals ensuring optimal conditioning and preventing overtraining injuries.
  • Emergency and Critical Care: Assists in diagnosing metabolic imbalances in acutely ill animals.

Why Choose EKF Diagnostics for Veterinary Clinics?

  1. Proven Accuracy and Reliability – EKF Diagnostics has a long-standing reputation for manufacturing high-quality diagnostic devices used in both human and veterinary medicine.
  2. Time-Saving Efficiency – With rapid result turnaround, these devices eliminate the need for external lab testing, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment.
  3. User-Friendly Design – Intuitive interfaces make these tools accessible for all veterinary professionals, regardless of experience level.
  4. Cost-Effective Solutions – Investing in point-of-care diagnostics reduces reliance on external labs, saving money over time.
  5. Portable and Versatile – Both the Hemo Vet and Lactate Scout Vet are compact, lightweight, and easy to transport, making them ideal for mobile veterinarians and emergency cases.

Final Thoughts

Having reliable, accurate diagnostic tools in a veterinary clinic is crucial for delivering high-quality care. The Hemo Vet Blood Analyser and Lactate Scout Vet from EKF Diagnostics provide veterinarians with rapid, precise, and portable solutions for assessing blood health and lactate levels. Whether you’re managing small animals, equine athletes, or livestock, these diagnostic devices will enhance your ability to diagnose and treat conditions effectively.

Our veterinary range

HaB Direct is a leading supplier of high-quality veterinary diagnostic and performance assessment equipment, supporting veterinary clinics, research institutions, and animal performance specialists. Our veterinary product range includes:

Get in Touch

Use the form below to contact us about our EKF Diagnostic Veterinary range or alternatively, call us on +44 (0)1926 816 100.

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