Performing a BMBT Test (Buccal Mucosal Bleeding Time)
Posted: Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 | Updated: Tuesday, January 4th, 2022
Posted: Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 | Updated: Tuesday, January 4th, 2022
The Process
With a sterile scalpel blade or a designated BMBT Spring Loaded Lancet make a stab incision about 1 mm deep into the inside portion of the upper lip. Avoid areas with noticeable blood vessels. The patient may be placed in lateral recumbency for this procedure. A strip of stretch conforming gauze may be used to gently tie the upper lip back for visualization, ease, and accuracy of performing the test on the mucosal surface. Once the incision is made, a timer is set. Filter paper or blotting paper is used to lightly absorb or wick any excess blood that may leak down from the site. Be careful not to disturb the clot formation or touch the incision site directly. Once the incision stops bleeding and the filter paper no longer absorbs any blood stop the timer. Typically, dog BMBT tests are less than 4 minutes and cat BMBT tests are less than 2.5 minutes
BMBT times are often used to determine if a patient is suffering from vWF disease. It's good practice to perform a PT/aPTT test and a platelet count prior to performing the BMBT test. With vWF disease, the PT and aPTT are usually normal. Furthermore, if the platelet count is low or less than 40,000 to 50,000, the patient may tend to bleed longer than normal and this will automatically result in a prolongation of the BMBT
With a sterile scalpel blade or a designated BMBT Spring Loaded Lancet make a stab incision about 1 mm deep into the inside portion of the upper lip. Avoid areas with noticeable blood vessels. The patient may be placed in lateral recumbency for this procedure. A strip of stretch conforming gauze may be used to gently tie the upper lip back for visualization, ease, and accuracy of performing the test on the mucosal surface. Once the incision is made, a timer is set. Filter paper or blotting paper is used to lightly absorb or wick any excess blood that may leak down from the site. Be careful not to disturb the clot formation or touch the incision site directly. Once the incision stops bleeding and the filter paper no longer absorbs any blood stop the timer. Typically, dog BMBT tests are less than 4 minutes and cat BMBT tests are less than 2.5 minutes
BMBT times are often used to determine if a patient is suffering from vWF disease. It's good practice to perform a PT/aPTT test and a platelet count prior to performing the BMBT test. With vWF disease, the PT and aPTT are usually normal. Furthermore, if the platelet count is low or less than 40,000 to 50,000, the patient may tend to bleed longer than normal and this will automatically result in a prolongation of the BMBT
Sources:
Lee, Justine. "How to Perform a BMBT in a Dog" VetGirl Veterinary CE Blog, January 2016, https://vetgirlontherun.com/perform-buccal-mucosal-bleeding-time-bmbt-vetgirl-veterinary-ce-videos-blog/
Lee, Justine. "How to Perform a BMBT in a Dog" VetGirl Veterinary CE Blog, January 2016, https://vetgirlontherun.com/perform-buccal-mucosal-bleeding-time-bmbt-vetgirl-veterinary-ce-videos-blog/