Running blood tests that can generate information on the health of the animals including states of inflammation (e.g. bacterial infection), viral infection, their immunocompetence and more.
I believe there would be great value in aquaculture farms adopting this tool on a weekly basis as part of their normal routine. Traditional histopathology and bacteriology testing takes 4-7 days at the earliest to produce a result. Although haematology should not replace the traditional diagnostic testing, the single day turnaround time for results would allow the health advisors to check on the status of the fish health and to be able to quickly detect early signs of diseased states which will be amenable for early intervention. Because, “To be fore-warned, is to be fore-armed”.
Check out some pictures demonstrating sites for bloood/haemolymph collection here.
Following blood collection, check out this link for the best way to prepare a blood films.
Every fish farm should be routinely sampling and examining blood.
