BattLab

25/03/2026

🧪 Acute-Phase Proteins in Dogs & Cats – Clinical Insights for Practice

Inflammatory processes often begin before changes are visible in routine diagnostics. Acute-phase proteins (APPs) provide an earlier and more specific indication of inflammation and disease activity.

🐕 In dogs, C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key marker for detecting inflammation, monitoring progression, and assessing response to therapy.

🐈 In cats, serum amyloid A (SAA) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) are particularly relevant—especially in the context of infectious and inflammatory diseases such as FIP.

Combining positive and negative APPs can enhance clinical interpretation, supporting more informed decision-making and improved monitoring of complex or chronic cases.

Read more about current insights and clinical relevance: https://battlab.com/acute-phase-proteins/

To learn more about these services, please contact admin@battlab.com 📩

24/03/2026

🐣 Easter Opening Hours 🐣

We’ll be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, but open as normal on Thursday and Tuesday (including courier collections).

Please feel free to pre-book your collections, and if you need advice on storing samples over the weekend, feel free to contact the office.

We hope you have a great Easter 🌸

20/03/2026

🐸🌍 Happy World Frog Day from BattLab! 🌍🐸

Frogs are vital to healthy ecosystems — and they’re also some of the most threatened animals on the planet. 💚

This World Frog Day, we’re highlighting the role of infectious disease in amphibian declines — and how diagnostics can help protect both wild populations and captive collections.

At BattLab, we support amphibian health through targeted diagnostic testing, including:

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal)
Ranaviruses

✅ Available as a combined screening profile or as individual tests, depending on your needs.

Early detection is key to effective biosecurity and conservation.

19/03/2026

✨ 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 – 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱, 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧 ✨

Over the coming weeks, we’re delighted to introduce more of the people who make BattLab what it is — and today, we’re shining the spotlight on Alex.

Alex has been part of the BattLab team for almost two years and plays a key role in keeping the lab running smoothly, especially on busy days. One of her biggest strengths is cross-training — she’s able to step in across a wide range of tasks in the lab, and even support with admin when needed, helping the team stay efficient and focused. 🧪

What Alex enjoys most about her role is the variety. She works across multiple departments including biochemistry, endocrinology, haematology, cytology, ELISA, and more recently microbiology. She also values being able to support practices directly to ensure accurate results and the best possible outcomes for patients. 🐾

Outside of work, Alex has two lovely guinea pigs, Nina and Nenna — two sisters with very different personalities. Nina enjoys a cuddle and can often be found snoozing in her hay bag, while Nenna prefers to run laps before settling down for a well-earned nap (usually after snack time). 🐹

Alex also loves to bake — something her colleagues definitely appreciate — and spends time training in martial arts, where she is currently working towards her brown belt. It’s also where she met her husband, making it an especially meaningful part of her life.

We’re very lucky to have Alex as part of the BattLab team. ✨

13/03/2026

12/03/2026

🎉 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

We’re excited to be here at the Vet Dynamics Community Retreat and would love for you to stop by and say hello!

📍 Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth
📅 12–13 March 2026

Brendan and Milli are at the stand today and tomorrow, ready to chat about our latest services, answer your questions, and explore how we can support your practice.

🎁 Don’t forget to enter our on-site competition for your chance to win a luxury spa day for two!

We’re looking forward to two brilliant days of learning, networking, and great conversations.

See you at the stand!

12/03/2026

✨ 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 – 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐚, 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧 ✨

Over the coming weeks, we’re delighted to introduce more of the people who make BattLab what it is — and today, we’re shining the spotlight on another member of our laboratory team.

Harishma holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science, specialising in Haematology. She began her career working in human laboratories before making the move into the veterinary diagnostics world in 2023 — a big change that she has absolutely loved. 🧪

While haematology has always been her main passion, Harishma has also enjoyed diving into the endlessly fascinating world of microbiology. She brings experience across haematology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, and serology, alongside a strong foundation in molecular biology. Adaptable and team-focused, she takes pride in stepping in wherever needed to help keep the lab running efficiently and accurately.

For Harishma, a great day at work is one that’s busy but productive — with minimal chaos and, most importantly, accurate results that help vets achieve the best outcomes for their patients. 🐾 That mission is especially close to her heart, as she has a 9-year-old Pomeranian at home who she describes as being more like her little sister… and very much the boss of the house. 🐶

What Harishma appreciates most about working at BattLab is the team. She describes it as feeling like an extended friend circle, where working in a close-knit group leads to strong relationships and an amazing ability to pull together under pressure.

Some of her favourite aspects of the job include exploring the fascinating world of cells — their incredible shapes, structures, and patterns — and capturing them creatively while documenting her findings. She also enjoys the unique dynamic of working alongside her husband, who is also her supervisor, meaning her team includes her favourite person. And of course, one of the unexpected perks of the workplace is getting to pat her colleagues’ dogs, which she says is the best stress relief during a busy day in the lab. 🧘‍♀️

Outside of work, Harishma enjoys spending time with her family and unwinding through creative hobbies such as crafting, painting, and sketching — the
perfect way to switch off after a busy day. 🎨

In the additional images below, Harishma is pictured with her husband — who also happens to be her supervisor — along with her two dogs, Chinnu and Pookie, and a creative collage she created using microscopic cell images she has captured over the years at BattLab. 🔬🐶

We’re very lucky to have Harishma as part of the BattLab team. ✨

06/03/2026

🔬 𝐂𝐘𝐓𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 🐈
𝑩𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒐 𝑪𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒛𝒂𝒔-𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒗𝒐, 𝑫𝑽𝑴, 𝑪𝑺𝑨𝑽𝑷

A four-year-old male neutered domestic longhair cat was presented for progressive weight loss. On clinical examination, abdominal effusion was detected. Analysis of the ascitic fluid classified it as a protein-rich transudate (high protein concentration and low cellularity). Abdominal ultrasound further revealed lymphadenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Biochemical analysis showed hypoalbuminaemia, with globulin levels within normal limits. Based on these findings, both inflammatory and neoplastic processes were considered as differentials.

Blood smear evaluation provided a key diagnostic clue. Large numbers of round cells were observed on the feathered edge of the smear (as shown in the first picture). These cells rarely contain fine eosinophilic cytoplasmic granulation, consistent with circulating poorly-granulated mast cells (an uncommon finding known as mastocytemia).

In cats, mastocytemia is rare and is most often associated with mast cell tumours, particularly visceral forms, rather than cutaneous disease. Rarely, it has been reported in association with other neoplastic processes, such as lymphoma. This contrasts with dogs, where mastocytemia is more commonly linked to inflammatory or reactive conditions rather than mast cell neoplasia.

In this case, fine-needle aspirates of the abdominal lymph nodes (shown in the second picture) and liver revealed the same population of poorly granulated mast cells. The cells displayed moderate to marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, with occasional binucleation and mitotic figures. Admixed eosinophils were also present. Eosinophilic inflammation is an important finding that can help narrow the differential diagnosis when mast cell granulation is minimal and difficult to identify. These findings supported a diagnosis of visceral mast cell tumour.

This case highlights the diagnostic value of blood smear examination: a simple, rapid, and minimally invasive technique that can provide critical information. It also serves as a reminder that mast cells, particularly when they lack their characteristic granulation, can be challenging to recognise.

🔬 Have a cytology case you'd like support with?
Learn more about our cytology services by emailing us at admin@battlab.com

And yes — this is the same Mario featured in this week’s Meet the Team. Now you can see his expertise in action!

05/03/2026

✨ 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 – 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐳𝐚𝐬-𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐨, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 ✨

Over the coming weeks, we’re delighted to introduce more of the people who make BattLab what it is — and today, we’re shining the spotlight on a valued member of our Clinical Pathology team…

Mario graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Universidad de León in 2016. After spending his first year working in small animal practice across Spain and Ireland, he developed a strong interest in diagnostic medicine and clinical pathology.

He recently completed a CSAVP in Laboratory Diagnostics at the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies (University of Luxembourg). Throughout his training, he undertook externships at several renowned institutions, including the University of Dublin, the University of Porto, and the University of Cambridge.

Mario now divides his time between working with the team at BattLab and continuing his professional development through a Residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology at the University of Edinburgh. 🧪

Outside of the lab, Mario loves spending time outdoors. Hiking is one of his favourite ways to recharge, especially when exploring new landscapes. ⛰️

He’s also passionate about music and enjoys discovering new sounds or attending live performances whenever he can. Bouldering keeps him motivated, combining focus, problem-solving and physical challenge (not so different from clinical pathology!). And of course, as a proud Spaniard, cooking is close to his heart — he enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and sharing long, relaxed meals with friends and family. 🍳

Mario brings enthusiasm, curiosity and dedication to every case he works on — and we’re very proud to have him as part of the BattLab team. ✨

02/03/2026

📄 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 🚨

We’ve updated all of our submission forms following the introduction of our new 2026 price lists.

This includes revised forms for:

• Dogs & Cats
• Equine & Farm Animals
• Exotic & Small Mammals
• Rabies

The updates reflect new tests and revised mandatory information, helping to ensure smooth and efficient processing.

From 1st March, we’ve been working from the updated versions, so please ensure your practice is using the latest forms to avoid any delays.

🔗 You can download them here: https://battlab.com/submissions/

If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is always happy to help.

27/02/2026

🎉 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐏𝐕𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔!

We’re back and ready for another great day at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole!

Brendan Cullingworth and Momin Abbas are on the stand today — come and have a chat about how BattLab can support your practice.

Don’t forget to enter our Scan & Win competition for your chance to win a three-course meal for two at Prezzo! 🍽️

Looking forward to another day of fantastic conversations and networking.

26/02/2026

🎉 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗣𝗩𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

We’re excited to be here at SPVS Congress 2026 and would love for you to stop by and say hello!

📍 Hilton Birmingham Metropole
📅 26–27 February 2026

Milli Faries and Brendan Cullingworth are at the stand today, ready to chat about our latest services, answer your questions, and explore how we can support your practice.

🎁 Don’t forget to enter our on-site competition for your chance to win a three-course meal for two at Prezzo!

We’re looking forward to two brilliant days of learning, networking, and great conversations.

See you at the stand!