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- Bone Marrow Biopsy in Dogs

- The veterinarian will first conduct a physical exam as well as diagnostic tests to evaluate the condition.
- A short-acting sedative will be administered alongside local anesthesia.
- A needle attached to an empty syringe is inserted into the bone marrow.
- The plunger of the syringe is pulled back. This process, known as aspiration, draws cells into the syringe.
- The cell sample is transferred to a slide, which the veterinarian will then examine under a microscope.
- The dog’s blood is evaluated to ensure it is safe to administer general anesthesia.
- Anesthesia is administered intravenously. The operative area is shaved and cleaned before local anesthetic is administered.
- The veterinary surgeon will use a scalpel to incise the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
- A Jamshidi needle is used to retrieve a sample of bone marrow. The surgeon may aspirate the marrow in addition to obtaining a core sample.
- The sample is transferred to a microscope slide, which will be sent to a veterinary histopathologist for examination.
- The initial incision site is sutured.
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- Allergic reaction to sedative or anesthesia
- Postprocedural pain
- Fracture
- Nerve damage (typically occurs with femoral bone marrow sampling)
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