Clinical pathology tests are a very important part of the diagnostic tools veterinary practitioners need to diagnose and manage diseases in small animal patients. They are also frequently run to screen patients in preparation for anaesthesia or in geriatric patients as part of a “health profile”. Abnormal or even normal results in a well or unwell patient can create confusion rather than clarity if they are not critically reviewed as an integral part of the clinical assessment of all data relevant to the patient. During this lecture we will discuss the benefits and pitfalls of "screening" tests in the context of the seemingly well animal as well as factors to consider relating to quality assurance of in-house testing.

• 1. To consider the risks and benefits of screening tests in veterinary practice.
• 2. To appreciate the relevance of test specificity and sensitivity when interpreting clin path results
• 3. To review the options when an apparently healthy patient has "abnormal" blood results
• 4. To understand the importance of critical evaluation and quality assurance of in-house test results