Determination of ionized serum calcium, potassium, and sodium levels in fresh and frozen samples from cats

• Published in: Comparative clinical pathology Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 875 - 878
• Main Authors: de Souza, Lígia Moraes Barizon, Mangrich-Rocha, Rita Maria Venâncio, Pimpão, Cláudia Turra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.09.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Hematology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original Article; Pathology; H; pH; ion; Temperature; Storage; Adult cats
• ISSN: 1618-5641; 1618-565X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00580-012-1491-9

In order to determine the influence of pH and storage (7 days at −18 °C) on ionized calcium, potassium, and sodium measurement in feline serum, blood samples from 66 healthy adult cats were obtained based on aerobic method via jugular venipuncture. From each sample, the serum aliquot was divided into two samples: the first sample was processed 30 min after blood collection, and the second was frozen at −18 °C and stored for 7 days before being processed. For each serum sample, ionized calcium, potassium, and sodium were measured together with the pH. Significant differences between fresh and frozen serum samples were found for ionized calcium concentration (the average values were 4.630 ± 0.043 and 4.183 ± 0.058 mg/dl, respectively) and pH (the average values were 7.352 ± 0.007 and 7.519 ± 0.010, respectively). Sodium and potassium serum concentration showed no significant difference between fresh and frozen serum samples. For all parameters, there was no significant difference between males and females between the fresh and frozen serum samples, and therefore, the results for both genders were analyzed together.