Animal health diagnostics

Abstract

A physical blood sample of animal is sent to a satellite laboratory facility. The blood sample is pre-processed into sub-samples of the sample and the sub-samples are coded. The coded blood sub-samples are physically carried to the main laboratory for analysis. The satellite facility electronically inputs a request for a laboratory analysis by a main laboratory. The request is electronically transmitted to the main laboratory, and the main laboratory coordinates the electronically received input from the satellite facility with the physical blood sub-samples. A computer report of the analysis from the laboratory is obtained for the satellite facility. A clinical pathologist with data of physical characteristics of the animal makes a diagnosis. A menu on a computer permits the generation of a supplemental report to support the diagnosis. An integrated computer report having the laboratory analysis, supplemental report, and a pathologist-enhanced report is electronically communicated to the client.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of diagnosing a thyroid condition in a dog comprising:
 establishing optimal levels for thyroid analysis, the levels being defined by a range different to a laboratory reference range for the thyroid condition; and   establishing optimal levels of the total T4, total T3, free T4, free T3, T3 autoantibody, T4 autoantibody and thyroglobulin autoantibody, such optimal levels being representative of normal thyroid function.   
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the optimal levels are different for dog characteristics dependant on age and sex. 
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the optimal levels are different for dog characteristics dependant on animal grouping. 
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the optimal levels are different for dog characteristics for adult, puppy-adolescent, geriatric, or large breed dog. 
     
     
         29 . A method as claimed in  claim 25  wherein in the thyroid assessment is obtained from analysis of the total T4, total T3, free T4, free T3, and thyroglobulin autoantibody. 
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 25  including defining predetermined characteristics related to characteristics of age and animal grouping, including characteristics dependant on age, sex and animal grouping of adult, puppy-adolescent, geriatric, or large breed dog. 
     
     
         31 . A method of diagnosing a thyroid condition in a dog comprising:
 establishing optimal levels for thyroid analysis, the levels being defined by a range different to a laboratory reference range for the thyroid condition; and   establishing an adult optimal level of free T3 (FT3) and the adult optimal level of free T4 (FT4), such optimal levels being representative of normal thyroid function.   
     
     
         32 . A method of diagnosing a thyroid condition in a dog comprising:
 establishing optimal levels for thyroid analysis, the levels being defined by a range different to a laboratory reference range for the thyroid condition; and   establishing optimal levels of the total T4, total T3, free T4, free T3, and thyroglobulin autoantibody, such optimal levels being representative of normal thyroid function.   
     
     
         33 . A method as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the optimal levels are different for dog characteristics dependant on age and sex. 
     
     
         34 . A method as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the optimal levels are different for dog characteristics dependant on animal grouping. 
     
     
         35 . A method as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the optimal levels are different for dog characteristics for adult, puppy-adolescent, geriatric, or large breed dog. 
     
     
         36 . A method as claimed in  claim 32  wherein in the thyroid assessment is obtained from analysis of the total T4, total T3, free T4, free T3, and thyroglobulin autoantibody. 
     
     
         37 . A method as claimed in  claim 32  including defining predetermined characteristics related to characteristics of age and animal grouping, including characteristics dependant on age, sex and animal grouping of adult, puppy-adolescent, geriatric, or large breed dog.