"Dale Atkin" wrote in message
news:wxPfl.7466$PH1.5854@edtnps82...

Please don't do that when you become a vet. I have learned the hard way
to
*always* always* always* get a copy of the bloodwork.

At the moment, my approach would probably to be to say there were some
mild
abnormalities in x,y,z that I don't believe are significant because of
a,b,c. (Let the client know that I've seen the results, and the reason
they
don't need to be concerned about it).
Its difficult though, because if you *know* as the vet that the deviation
isn't significant, and is likely to mislead the client the 'easy way out'
is
to give your interpretation of the results.

My feeling, given that the diagnosis was hepatic lipidosis, I would
believe
it if someone told me that that by itself would explain the anemia.

That could cost your animal it's life - as it did with my daughter's cat.
There was an underlying cause for the anemia that was not related to the
hepatic lipidosis.



(in fact
googling a little I found
http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/turner/index.php
which says "With underlying disease, the packed cell volume can be normal
or
there can be a mild to moderate, normocytic, normochromic, nonregenerative
anemia most likely due to the anemia of chronic / inflammatory disease.").


Most likely but not definitely. Perhaps a follow up blood test in x amount
of time should be suggested along with offering up some other possibilities
for the anemia.



It all *fits* with his diagnosis. Did he go over the other enzyme levels
with you, or did he just say "The results confirm hepatic lipidosis"?

It was a she and she did not go over the enzyme results. She also did not
tell my daughter that she had him tested for FIA (though it was neg)


The first time or two
I didn't think it was that important. Not any more. Frankly I no
longer
respect a vet who doesn't give me a copy (or fax me one if I've gone
home),
explain the results to me and what he/she thinks it means.

I don't think I'd think of giving the client a copy (any more than I'd
think
it was necessary to make copies of all the x-rays, or take recordings of
the
heartbeat, lung sounds, etc, etc). I'd certainly provide a copy on request
without hesitation (or charge), but I don't think I'd volunteer.


Too bad.


Kathy