SUMMARY:
-Total calcium levels in canine blood samples may be artefactually lowered when there is a delay in sample analysis, under the conditions of unseparated serum that is subjected to prolonged cold temperatures – e.g., transportation to the laboratory during winter months or overnight refrigeration.
-While the mechanism of this artefact remains uncertain, it may be mitigated if the unseparated samples remain at room temperature (which is not ideal for other analytes) or if the serum is separated prior to submission to the laboratory or storage.
For more information, read the article below (first published in VetScript April/May 2025).