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Bulger Veterinary Hospital
  • Our Services
    • Anesthesia & Pain Management
    • Cardiology
    • Dentistry
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency/Critical Care
    • Exotics
    • Internal Medicine
    • Ophthalmology
    • Surgery
    • Primary Pet Care
      • Kitten Kit
      • Puppy Pack
      • Senior Pet Care
    • Theriogenology (Reproductive Health)
    • Compounding Pharmacy
    • Veterinary Urgent Care Near Here
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Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis

October 1, 2016

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is commonly referred to as a spinal tap.  During this procedure, a small volume of spinal fluid is collected and submitted to a laboratory for analysis of protein content, white blood cell count and determination of the types of white blood cells that are present.  Spinal fluid is very sensitive for identifying disease in the central nervous system, but is not very specific to which disease is present as there is a great deal of overlap between diseases.

CSF analysis is used in conjunction with other tests, including MRI, to narrow the list of possible neurological diseases.  In some cases, CSF will provide a definitive diagnosis, such as lymphoma, a type of cancer. Tests for several infectious diseases (Figure 2) can be performed on spinal fluid if needed.

In animals this procedure is performed under general anesthesia. While a person may be asked to lie still for a procedure, an animal cannot. However, since the animals are under anesthesia, there is no pain associated with a CSF. In addition, animals DO NOT suffer from spinal headaches as humans do following a spinal tap.

Spinal fluid can be collected from the space between the brain and beginning of the spinal cord or from the lumbosacral region of the spinal cord near the patient’s hind end.

The procedure is quite safe and complications are uncommon to rare.

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Bulger Veterinary Hospital
978-725-5544 | 141 Winthrop Ave. Lawrence, MA 01843
  • 24-HR ER: 978-725-5544
  • Our Services
    • Anesthesia & Pain Management
    • Cardiology
    • Dentistry
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency/Critical Care
    • Exotics
    • Internal Medicine
    • Ophthalmology
    • Surgery
    • Primary Pet Care
      • Kitten Kit
      • Puppy Pack
      • Senior Pet Care
    • Theriogenology (Reproductive Health)
    • Compounding Pharmacy
    • Veterinary Urgent Care Near Here
  • For Your Pet
    • Client Registration Form
    • Curbside Emergency Care
    • Emergencies + Appointments
    • Client Portal
    • When Your Pet is a Patient
    • Pet Insurance
    • Payment Options
    • Online Store
    • End of Life Arrangements
    • Clinical Studies
  • For Veterinary Teams
    • Submit Referrals
    • At a Glance
    • Ethos Materials for Clinics
    • Continuing Education
    • VetBloom CE
    • Clinical Studies
    • Compounding Pharmacy
  • About Us
    • Our Hospital
    • Our Team
    • Giving Back
    • Why Ethos
    • Ethos Discovery
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
  • Blogs & Videos
    • Our Blogs
    • PAWEDcasts
  • We’re Hiring!
    • Apply Today
    • Ethos Job Fairs
    • Benefits and Perks
    • Veterinary Training Programs
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