The effects of different anticoagulants on routine canine plasma biochemistry.

The effects of heparin, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium citrate and sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate on plasma biochemistry results in dogs were studied and compared with serum. Blood specimens from 10 apparently clinical healthy dogs were collected and placed in different tubes containing each anticoagulant tested. Differences in albumin, acetylcholinesterase, ionized calcium and potassium were found between serum and heparinized plasma.