The HemoCue® for point-of-care hemoglobin measurement and packed cell volume estimation in cats.

To determine conversion formulas so that values from the HemoCue^® hemoglobinometer (Hb_HQ) could be equated to hemoglobin concentrations measured by the gold-standard cyanomethemoglobin (Hb_CY) method and used for estimation of packed cell volume (PCV) in cats.Prospective,in vitro.Twelve healthy, adult, client-owned cats.The PCV of 12 parent blood samples was manipulated between∼3 and∼80% by removing or adding autologous plasma. Hemoglobin was measured by the Hb_CY method at a university clinical pathology laboratory and by the azidemethemoglobin method in a Hb_HQ. PCV was determined by micro-centrifugation.Hemoglobin varied from 1–26 g/dL. Repeated-measures regression of Hb_CY on Hb_HQ demonstrated that theY-intercept was not different from zero. When the regression was repeated, forcing the line through the origin the coefficient for converting Hb_HQ to Hb_CY was not significantly different from 1.0 (adjustedR²=99.7%). The conversion formula was Hb_CY=Hb_HQ. Using similar methods, the conversion formula for estimating PCV was PCV=3.1 Hb_HQ (adjustedR²=99.8%).Hemoglobin concentration measured by the HemoCue^® was indistinguishable from the (Hb_CY) method in feline blood over a wide range of hemoglobin concentrations. This study demonstrates that in cats PCV=3.1Hb_HQ.The HemoCue^® is useful for point-of-care hemoglobinometry and for estimating PCV in cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]