What is diagnostic cytology?
Cytology refers to the relatively fast and inexpensive examination of individual cells under the microscope. The cells are commonly collected from sources such as skin masses, body cavity fluids, ear fluid, lymph nodes, urine or blood. Cytology can sometimes provide definitive diagnosis of cancer and can aid the veterinarian in making a treatment decision. The procedure is relatively simple and can avoid other more invasive, unnecessary and expensive diagnostic techniques. The technique, however, also has its limitations and sometimes does not provide a clear yes/no answer. The owner should keep in mind that the interpretation of the cytology test will largely depend on the person making the conclusions and it may be a good idea to get a second opinion from an independent lab.
