Changes

*Measurement of '''amylase''' and '''lipase''' where the cause is suspected to be [[Pancreatitis - Dog and Cat|pancreatitis]]

*Measurement of '''amylase''' and '''lipase''' where the cause is suspected to be [[Pancreatitis - Dog and Cat|pancreatitis]]

*'''Bile''' where [[Biliary Tract - Rupture|biliary tract rupture]] is suspected.

*'''Bile''' where [[Biliary Tract - Rupture|biliary tract rupture]] is suspected.

*'''Creatinine''' and '''potassium''' if the effusion is thought to be a uroabdomen.

*'''Creatinine''' and '''potassium''' if the effusion is thought to be a uroabdomen; creatinine levels in a peritoneal sample that are higher than serum concnetrations indicate uroperitoneum.

*'''Glucose''' (<2.8 mmol/l) and '''lactate''' (>5.5 mmol/l) should be measured and, where their values are below those shown, the inflammation is likely to be septic.

*'''Glucose''' and '''lactate''' should be measured; where their values are <2.8 mmol/l and >5.5 mmol/l respectively the inflammation is likely to be septic.

<font color = 'green'> Where the difference between blood and peritoneal fluid glucose concentration is greater then 2.8mmol/l (20mg/dl) and blood and peritoneal fluid lactate concentration is less than 5.5mmol/l (2.0mmol/l), the inflammation is likely to be septic. - Peritoneal fluid has less glucose and more lactate than blood.</font color>

Lactate levels are indicative of a hypoxic crisis and levels are occassionally used as a prognostic indicator - rising levels in the face of vigorous treatment of peritonitis seem to be anecdotally be more prognostically useful than absolute cut off values. NB. Measurement of lactate on some machines such as hand held blood gas analysers may require a heparin sample.

*Culture is indicated where a bacterial infection is suspected, and should include an anaerobic culture.

In cats with [[Feline Infectious Peritonitis]], the effusion usually has a high protein content (>35g/l) with a high globulin: albumin ratio.  There is a variably high cellularity mainly composed of lymphocytes.

In cats with [[Feline Infectious Peritonitis]], the effusion usually has a high protein content (>35g/l) with a high globulin: albumin ratio.  There is a variably high cellularity mainly composed of lymphocytes.