- Air dried smears for cytology
- Swab for culture if required
Single smear
24 - 48 hours
Cellular preservation for cytology is superior on an air dried smear.
- Air dried smears for cytology
- Swab (for culture; less suitable for cytology)
Single smear
24 - 48 hours
Cellular preservation is better on an air dried smear.
- Fresh smears made at the time of collection are useful.
- EDTA is optimal for cytology.
- Collect non-anticoagulated if sample is to be cultured; samples in EDTA are not suitable for culture.
- LH
- 0.5 mL if cell count is to be done
- Smears for cytology only
24 - 48 hours
- If sufficient fluid, place some in an EDTA tube and the rest in either a PC tube (without activator) or a sterile urine container.
- Scabs & hair
- Culture plate alone
24 hours
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- Gel separated clot activator (gel absorbs digoxin from sample)
0.75 mL whole blood (minimum 250 uL serum)
5 days
- Collect blood sample 4-7 days after start or change in treatment.
- Collect blood (serum) sample into a plain/Red top tube within one hour of the next scheduled dose or at least 8 hours after the last dose (trough concentration).
- Collect blood 8-10 hours post-dose (4-7 days after start or change in treatment). Do not use serum tubes that contain activator.
- More information on monitoring of therapeutic drugs is available on this webpage.
- Do not use Gel/serum separator as the gel may absorb some of the drug, artificially lowering the serum concentration.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
1 mL whole blood
- Run on Wednesday
- Cut off is 7pm the previous working day
- Results are reported by 2pm the next day
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) are serious viral pathogens in dogs that have been very well controlled with the use of vaccinations. Annual revaccination of dogs has been an industry norm that is being challenged due to increasing proof that protective immunity lasts for longer than one year (and often longer than 4 years) and the knowledge that vaccinations may in some cases have detrimental side effects ranging from anaphylaxis to immune-mediated disease.
Rather than merely stopping annual vaccination, dogs may have their immune status assessed to determine whether vaccination is indicated or not. This is particularly pertinent in at risk animals. Serological titre tests have been designed to measure the IgG levels and studies have shown that protection from infection can be determined with these tests. Further studies have shown that the IFA method is comparable to the gold standard haemagglutination test for CPV and the virus neutralisation test for CDV.
INTERPRETATION:
- Titres of less than 1:5 are considered seronegative and (re) vaccination is recommended.
- Titres of >1:5 are considered seropositive.
- Titres of >1:5 but <1:20 indicate that revaccination should be considered, especially if disease exposure risk is increased.
- Dogs with titres of >1:20 probably do not require revaccination.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
- FL
3 ml whole blood
Up to 4 weeks
- Referred test
- Distemper serology can also be done by IFA at Vetpath
- Urine
- Blood
2 mL urine
48 hours
Detects:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepam (Valium)
- THC/cannabis/marijuana
- Cocaine metabolites
- Amphetamines
- Opiates
- Methadone
- Barbituates
Serum
EDTA
2 mL whole blood
24 hours
- Includes insulin, glucose, GGT, GLDH, triglycerides and creatinine.
- This panel is for monitoring of patients receiving treatment for Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
- Diagnosis of EMS can be made with the Equine Cushing's profile (eeCush).
- EDTA
- PC
- FL
1ml in each tube
24 hours
EP2 includes a CBC, CK, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin, Na, K, Cl.
- EDTA
- PC
- FL
1ml in each tube
24 hours
EP3 includes CBC, CK, AST, ALP, GGT, GLDH, bilirubin, triglycerides, glucose, urea, creatinine, total protain, albumin, globulins, Na, K, Cl, calcium and phosphorus.
- Air dried smears for cytology
- Swab (if culture requested; less suitable for cytology)
Single smear
24 - 48 hours (Mon-Sat)
- Fresh faeces
- Faecal swab
2-3 gm (a larger volume such as 10 gm is better)
24 hours
- May be done on either individual animals or a pooled samples.
- A pooled sample may contain faeces from a maximum of 10 animals.
- The saturated salt solution is efficient at floating common parasite eggs, but does not float trematode eggs and some tapeworm eggs. Specific procedures are required for these parasites.
- Faeces are stable for 3 days when refrigerated.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
1 mL whole blood
- Test performed Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Results available by COB.
- EDTA
- PC
- LH
2 mL whole blood
10 days
- Referred test
- Diagnostic test for clinical cases are subsidized by DPIRD
- Screening test for well animals is charged (call laboratory for details)
- PC
- LH (more accurate for electrolytes, but may not suitable if wish to add other tests, especially serology tests)
- EDTA
- SC
- FL
2 mL whole blood
24 hours
Includes Na, K, Cl and Na:K ratio
- PC
- LH
- EDTA
- Haemolysed samples
- 1 mL whole blood (including total protein and albumin measurements)
5 days
- Used primarily to differentiate polyclonal from monoclonal gammopathies.
- Samples must be non-haemolysed.
- Urine
- Blood
0.5 ml urine
5 days
- Urine electrophoresis is a screening test to detect monoclonal protein in the urine.
- A narrow based peak in the urine electrophoresis suggests the presence of Bence Jones proteinuria due to multiple myeloma.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
1ml whole blood
- Test performed Mondays and Thursdays.
- Results available by COB.
- PC
1 mL whole blood
- Test performed Tuesdays.
- Results available by COB.
- Mare pregnancy 45 - 120 days
- Optimum 70 days
- EDTA (see endogenous ACTH for collection requirements)
- PC
- FL
- LH
2ml in each tube
24 hours
Includes glucose, insulin and endogenous ACTH
- EDTA (see endogenous ACTH for collection requirements)
- PC (x2)
- Urine
2ml whole blood
24 hours
The Equine Glucose Tolerance Panel includes:
- Endogenous ACTH
- 2 x insulin and 2 x glucose (pre- and post-glucose administration)
- Nasal swab not in culture media
- Fixed tissue
- Frozen tissue
- Blood
Nasal swab not in culture media
10 - 14 days
- Referred test
- Nasal/respiratory swabs and preparations are sent to Vetnostics for the respiratory PCR panel.
- Reproductive samples (swabs and foetal tissue) are send to DPIRD in Perth.
- PC
- If the sample is the first of a pair, please indicate this on the submission form so that the sample can be held and the pair processed together.
- LH
- EDTA
Minimum 4 mL whole blood
Up to 3 weeks
- Referred test
- For detection of of a rise in Ab (indicative of current infection) paired sera (acute and convalescent) are required 14 days apart.
- Paired samples must be processed at the same time; the first of the pair needs to be separated and frozen until the second sample arrives. If the first of the pair has already been processed, it will need to re-tested with the second sample (ie it would need to be run, and charged for, twice).
- Store whole blood at 4oC, but if transport is delayed it is necessary to separate the serum from the cells.
- PC
- LH
- EDTA
4 mL whole blood
10 - 14 days
- Referred test
- Agar gel immunodiffusion test
- EDTA
- PC
2ml whole blood
24 hours
Profile includes:
- CBC
- serum Amyloid A
- Iron concentration
- Total protein
- Albumin
- Globulins
- PC
- LH
- EDTA
4 mL whole blood
- 10 - 14 hours
- Referred test
- Serum virus neutralisation test
- BAL/TW in EDTA
- Dry swab (not in culture media)
- Blood
1ml fluid
5 days
Referred test
Panel includes:
- Equine Herpesvirus 1
- Equine Herpesvirus 4
- Rhodococcus equi
- Streptococcus equi subsp. equi
- Chlamydia psittaci
- Air dried smears
- Swab
Single smear
24 - 48 hours
- PC (serum)
- Feline only
- EDTA
- LH
- Species other than cats
1.0 mL whole blood
- Test performed Mondays and Thursdays.
- Results available by COB.
This is the gold-standard test for measurement of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV).
- Titres of 1:10 or less are considered seronegative.
- Titres 1:40 or greater considered seropositive.
- Titres <1:10 indicate a low likelihood of coronavirus shedding. If the cat is infected they are likely to stop shedding when isolated.
- Cats with high titres (1:640 or higher) are almost always shedding virus but can stop shedding upon isolation. This can be demonstrated by a drop in their titre to low or undetectable levels.
- Cats with clinical FIP usually have a high titre (1:640 or higher), although a few cases may show low titres in the terminal stages (particularly in the effusive forms).
- The higher the titre the greater the specificity and sensitivity of this test for a diagnosis of FIP. The positive predictive index at 1:1600 is 0.94 and the negative predictive index 0.88 (J Vet Int Med 2003:17 781-790).
- No single test is suitable to confirm a diagnosis of FIP apart from histopathology. Clinical diagnosis of FIP should be based on a wide variety of tests including history, age, number of cats in household, persistent pyrexia and laboratory data including assessment of acute phase proteins, analysis of effusions, haematology and biochemical tests as well as specific serological tests to list a few.
- Abdominal or Thoracic fluid, as fresh as possible.
- EDTA (if not collected in EDTA transfer to EDTA as soon as possible)
- Immunohistochemistry can be done on formalin-fixed tissues.
- Keep sample chilled, not frozen
- Serum or plasma
- 1 mL fluid is the absolute minimum
- 10 mL of fluid is preferab
14 days
This is a highly specific test to demonstrate FIP-related antigens in macrophages in effusion fluid.
The anti-FCoV direct IFA test detects direct immunofluorescent staining of FIP-related antigens in macrophages in the effusion with anti-FCoV antibodies. This is a very specific diagnostic test as only FIP-infected cats will have virus-infected macrophages. This test has a specificity of 1.00 (100% positive predictive value) but a relatively low sensitivity of 0.75 (75%). No single test is able to confirm a diagnosis of FIP apart from histopathology. Clinical diagnosis of FIP should be based on a wide variety of tests including history, age, number of cats in household, persistent pyrexia and laboratory data including assessment of acute phase proteins, analysis of effusions, haematology and biochemical tests as well as specific serological tests to list a few.
- Air-dried smears from FNA (up to six)
- Aspirated material (no needles on syringes unless securely capped)
Single smear
24 - 48 hours
- Submission of at least two smears or smears from more than one FNA of a lesion increases the chances of a diagnostic sample without increasing the cost.
- Aspirates from multiple lymph nodes are charged as a single sample.
- Extra aspirates from separate lesions in the same animal are charged at a reduced rate
- EDTA
- FL
- PC
1ml in each tube
24 hours
FP2 includes a CBC, CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, Na, K, Cl, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, urine SG and BOHB if indicated.
- EDTA
- FL
- PC
1ml in each tube
24 hours
FP3 includes CBC, ALT, ALP, GGT, urea, creatinine, glucose, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin, Na, K, urine SG.
- FL
- PC
1ml in each tube
24 hours
The FP5 is the FP2 biochemistry panel, and includes CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, Na, K, Cl, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, urine SG and BOHB if indicated.
- Fresh faeces
2g faeces
24 - 48 hours
- Small animal faecal analysis includes wet micro, Gram stain and concentration for cysts and ova.
- Large animal faecal analysis includes wet micro, Gram stain, concentration for cysts and ova plus a faecal egg count.
- Fresh faeces (important for culture)
- NOTE: If sample cannot be cultured immediately, store at room temperature prior to transport to the laboratory.
10 gm
24 hours for wet micro, 12 -24 hours, 48 hours
Includes (small animal):
- Wet microscopy
- Gram stain
- Cysts & ova
- C&S
- Fresh faeces
- Faecal
- Rectal swab
5-10 gm
24 hours
- This is a qualitative, not quantitative test.
- Method includes flotation for Giardia.
- Fresh faeces
- Faecal swab can be used, but is suboptimal.
NOTE: If sample cannot be cultured immediately, store at room temperature prior to transport to the laboratory.
2-3 gm (a larger volume such as 10 gm is better, especially for maintaining anaerobic conditions in the sample).
- 12-24 hours for culture of routine organisms
- 48 hours for sensitivity on routine organisms
- Faecal culture includes a wet microscopy.
- Transport to the laboratory without refrigeration.
- At the laboratory samples are stored at 4oC to minimise overgrowth, but this will kill the more fragile organisms and poorer results will be obtained from samples stored before C&S is requested.
- Fresh faeces
- Faecal swab
2-3 gm (a larger volume such as 10 gm is better)
1-2 days, Monday to Friday
- May be done on either individual animals or a pooled samples
- A pooled sample may contain faeces from a maximum of 10 animals
- The saturated salt solution is efficient at floating common parasite eggs, but does not float trematode eggs and some tapeworm eggs. Specific procedures are required for these parasites.
- Faeces are stable for 3 days when refrigerated.
- Fresh faeces
- Faecal swab
2-3 gm (but depends on other tests also being requested)
24 hours
- Faeces
- Blood
2g
7 days
Referred test
The panel includes:
- Salmonella spp. DNA
- Campylobacter jejuni DNA
- Giardia spp. DNA
- Cryptosporidium canisDNA
- Parvovirus DNA
- Coronavirus RNA
- Faeces
- Blood
2g
7 days
Referred test
PCR panel includes:
- Lawsonia intracellularis
- Clostridium difficile Toxin A/Toxin B
- Clostridium perfringens Toxin A/CPE toxin/cpb2 toxin/netF toxin
- Salmonella spp
- Equine coronavirus
- Rotavirus
- Cryptosporidium
- Faeces
- Blood
2g
7 days
Referred test
The panel includes:
- Salmonella spp. DNA
- Campylobacter jejuni DNA
- Giardia spp. DNA
- Cryptosporidium felis DNA
- Toxoplasma gondii DNA
- Tritrichomonas foetus DNA
- Parvovirus DNA
- Feline Coronavirus RNA
- Faeces
- Blood
2g
7 days
Referred test
Test includes the multiplex PCR panel and a concentration for cysts and ova.
The panel includes:
- Salmonella spp. DNA
- Campylobacter jejuni DNA
- Giardia spp. DNA
- Cryptosporidium canisDNA
- Parvovirus DNA
- Coronavirus RNA
- Faeces
- Blood
2g
7 days
Referred test
Test includes the feline multiplex PCR panel and a concentration for cysts and ova.
The panel includes:
- Salmonella spp. DNA
- Campylobacter jejuni DNA
- Giardia spp. DNA
- Cryptosporidium felis DNA
- Toxoplasma gondii DNA
- Tritrichomonas foetus DNA
- Parvovirus DNA
- Feline Coronavirus RNA
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
1 mL whole blood
- Test performed Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Results available by COB.
This test is a screening test to determine the level of specific antiviral IgG in the serum. The titre is used as a measure of the humoral immunity. It has been shown that a titre of 1:5 on IFA is considered the appropriate levels to provide protective immunity. Note that it is possible that lower titres are protective and the influence of the cell mediated response cannot be reliably assessed in this manner.
- Cats with a titre of <1:5 may not be adequately protected and revaccination should be considered.
- Cats with a titre of 1:5 but <1:20 may consider revaccination.
- Cats with a titre of 1:20 or greater are considered protected and may not need revaccination. These animals should have their titre rechecked in approximately one year.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
- FL
3 ml whole blood
10 - 14 days
Referred test
Virus neutralisation test (VNT)
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- Feline only
- CIT
- Species other than cats
0.5 mL whole blood
- Test performed Mondays and Thursdays.
- Results available by COB.
This is the gold-standard test for measurement of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV).
- Titres of 1:10 or less are considered seronegative
- Titres 1:40 or greater considered seropositive
- Titres <1:10 indicate a low likelihood of coronavirus shedding. If the cat is infected they are likely to stop shedding when isolated.
- Cats with high titres (1:640 or higher) are almost always shedding virus but can stop shedding upon isolation. This can be demonstrated by a drop in their titre to low or undetectable levels.
- Cats with clinical FIP usually have a high titre (1:640 or higher), although a few cases may show low titres in the terminal stages (particularly in the effusive forms).
- The higher the titre the greater the specificity and sensitivity of this test for a diagnosis of FIP. The positive predictive index at 1:1600 is 0.94 and the negative predictive index 0.88 (J Vet Int Med 2003:17 781-790)
- No single test is suitable to confirm a diagnosis of FIP apart from histopathology. Clinical diagnosis of FIP should be based on a wide variety of tests including history, age, number of cats in household, persistent pyrexia and laboratory data including assessment of acute phase proteins, analysis of effusions, haematology and biochemical tests as well as specific serological tests to list a few.
- PC (ALT, creatinine, total T4)
AND - Urine (wet microscopy, protein:creatinine ratio, SG)
AND - FL (accurate glucose)
- SC
- LH
- 2 mL whole blood
- 2 mL of urine is acceptable, but >5 mL is better
24 hours
Do not confuse with the FP3 panel
- PC
- LH
- EDTA
- CIT
1 mL whole blood
- Test performed Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Results available by COB.
This test is a screening test to determine the level of specific antiviral IgG in the serum. The titre is used as a measure of the humoral immunity. It has been shown that a titre of 1:5 on IFA is considered the appropriate levels to provide protective immunity. Note that it is possible that lower titres are protective and the influence of the cell mediated response cannot be reliably assessed in this manner.
- Cats with a titre of <1:5 may not be adequately protected and should be
revaccinated. - Cats with a titre of 1:5 but <1:20 should consider revaccination.
- Cats with a titre of 1:20 or greater are considered protected and may not
need revaccination. These animals should have their titre rechecked in approximately one year.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
3 ml whole blood
3 weeks
Referred test
VNT = virus neutralisation test
- EDTA
- PC
- LH
- FL
0.5 ml whole blood
3 working days
- The test performed on a chromatographic immunoassay for FIV antibody that has been validated as a discriminatory test in cats vaccinated against the virus and those naturally infected. In this study none of the vaccinated cats (0/107) were positive using this antibody assay. Kittens less than six months of age were not included in this study (due to the possibility of maternal antibodies being present) (Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2015)
- EDTA
- PC
- LH
- CIT
- FL
0.5 ml whole blood
3 working days
- Detects soluble antigen. Cats exposed to FeLV will usually test positive within 28 days, but may be longer (up to 90 days).
- Many infections are transient and a positive result in a healthy cat should be followed by either PCR, or retested by ELISA in 6 weeks.
- Vaccination does not interfere with detection of antigen.
- EDTA
- PC
- CIT
- LH
2ml EDTA blood
7 days
Referred test
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
1 ml whole blood
- Test performed Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Results available by COB.
This test is a screening test to determine the level of specific antiviral IgG in the serum. The titre is used as a measure of the humoral immunity. It has been shown that a titre of 1:5 on IFA is considered the appropriate levels to provide protective immunity. Note that it is possible that lower titres are protective and the influence of the cell mediated response cannot be reliably assessed in this manner.
- Cats with a titre of <1:5 may not be adequately protected and revacinnation should considered.
- Cats with a titre of 1:5 but <1:20 may consider revaccination.
- Cats with a titre of 1:20 or greater are considered protected and may not need revaccination. These animals should have their titre rechecked in approximately one year.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
- FL
3 ml whole blood
3 weeks
- Referred test
- Method used is IFA (No longer HAI)
- Panleukopenia is also called feline infectious enteritis
- EDTA, PC and FL
- LH
2ml whole blood
- FP2: 24 hours
- Cryptococcus titre: 48 hours.
- Coronavirus and Toxoplasma serology: Run Mondays and Thursdays.
Includes: FP2, Toxoplasma IgM and IgG, Cryptococcus and Coronavirus titres,
- EDTA
- PC
- FL
- LH is less suitable for the CBC but can be used.
- 1ml EDTA
- 1ml PC
- 24 hours
- Profile includes CBC, total protein, albumin, globulins, glucose, Na, K, Cl, Na/K ratio, calcium, phosphorus, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, ALP, CK, cholesterol, bilirubin, GGT, total T4.
- Not included: Lipase
- EDTA
- PC
- LH
1 mL whole blood
7 days
Referred test
PCR panel includes Mycoplasma haemofelis, M. haemominutum and M. turicensis.
- CSF
- Blood
0.5ml
7 days
Referred test
Panel includes:
- Toxoplasma gondii
- Bartonella spp.
- Borrelia spp.
- Cryptococcus sp.
- Coronavirus
- Swab (see Comments) (not in culture media)
- Sample in transport medium.
- Frozen sample.
Single swab.
7 days
Panel includes:
- Feline calicivirus
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Chlamydia felis
- Feline herpesvirus-1
- Cryptococcus spp
- Mycoplasma felis
Sampling should ideally be performed early in the disease course. Increased chronicity, previous treatment and prior vaccination can reduce the detection of organisms by reducing their expression on epithelial cells. Latent infection of Herpesvirus cannot be detected by PCR as the virus is sequestered in nerve ganglions and is not expressed on the epithelium. The best samples for Feline Respiratory PCR contain large numbers of epithelial cells with minimal other material. Swabs with large amounts of ocular or nasal discharge may not be diagnostic. Use sterile dry swabs (plastic shaft only) to collect samples. The presence of ointment or other medications in the eye can prevent adequate epithelial collection and interfere with the PCR test and should be avoided. Thoroughly swab the conjunctiva, collecting from both eyes if possible. If nasal discharge is present, roll a sterile dry swab firmly along the nasal planum. A final swab should be used to collect a deep pharyngeal sample. If only a single site can be collected, a deep pharyngeal swab is preferred, however collecting from all three sites increases detection of organisms. The swabs should be placed in a single sterile container. The swab stems can be shortened using sterile scissors to fit the swabs into the tube. Do not place swabs in bacterial culture transport media. Label the container and keep the samples cool prior to sending to the laboratory for testing. If culture is also required, please submit a separate swab in transport media.
- EDTA
- SC
- LH
- PC
0.5 ml whole blood
24 hours
- Is done routinely for large animals.
- Is done if requested or if indicated (eg history says suspect pyometra) in small animals.
- Air-dried smears from FNA (up to 6 smears) from a single lesion
- Aspirated material (no needles on syringes unless securely capped)
- Routine external cytology and internal organ cytology are charged differently.
Single smear
24 - 48 hours
- Submission of at least two smears or smears from more than one FNA of a lesion increases the chances of a diagnostic sample without increasing the cost.
- Aspirates from multiple nodes are charged as a single sample.
- Extra aspirates from separate lesions in the same animal are charged at a reduced rate.
- EDTA (less than 24 hours old)
- PC
2ml
7 days
Haematology Specimen Collection Protocol:
- Minimum 3 mL EDTA blood preferably submitted the same day as specimen collection.
- Routine haematology must also be performed through Vetnostics WA (either simultaneously or within the preceding 7 days). If this has not been done, then a CBC (code H01) will be added to the request for Flow Cytometry.
- Refrigerate until collection.
Lymph Node or other Solid Tissue/Organ Aspirate Material Protocol:
- Place 1 mL Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl Solution but not Hartmann's solution) in a 2 mL EDTA tube and add 0.1 to 0.2 mL of serum from the patient.
- Aspirate the lymph node or other organ mass using suction and gently squirt the contents of the needle and syringe into the EDTA tube with saline and serum.
- Draw up saline through the needle and gently squirt back into the tube to obtain more cells.
- Repeat this process several times if possible – the saline should become cloudy.
- Routine cytology (code C01) must also be performed through Vetnostics WA on air-dried smears from the same site (without added saline) (either simultaneously or within the preceding 7 days).
- Refrigerate until collection.
Cavitary Effusion Fluid (Lymphocyte-Rich Effusions) Protocol:
- Minimum 2 mL cavitary effusion fluid in an EDTA tube.
- Refrigerate until collection.
- Routine fluid analysis and cytology (code C03) must also be performed through Vetnostics WA (either simultaneously or within the preceding 7 days) (Note: saline must not be added to fluids for routine fluid analysis and cytology). If this has not been done, then Fluid Analysis Cytology (code C03) will be added to the request for Flow Cytometry.
- Referred test
- Sample must arrive at the Sydney referral laboratory within 48 hours of collection.
- Blood samples must be submitted on Monday or Tuesday for overnight courier.
- A current CBC from a referral laboratory is required.
- Fresh smears made at the time of collection are useful.
- EDTA is optimal for cytology
- Collect non-anticoagulated if sample is to be cultured; samples in EDTA are not suitable for culture
- LH
- 0.5 mL if cell count is to be done.
- Smears for cytology are useful.
24 - 48 hours
If sufficient fluid, place some in an EDTA tube and the rest in either a PC tube (without activator) or a sterile urine container.
- Stomach contents or Vomitus - freeze in a glass container
- Bait
- Blood, urine
50 ml stomach contents
Allow up to 6 weeks (contact laboratory to confirm expected time for availability of results).
Referred test
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
1ml
12 hours
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- Tissue
0.8ml clotted blood - unhaemolyzed (minimum 320uL serum)
5 days
Haemolysis results in red cell folate being measured rather than serum folate.
- Urine
PLUS - LH or PC blood
- It is suggested that the urine sample be obtained first and then the blood collected as it is best if the samples are collected close together.
- EDTA blood
- FL blood
- CIT blood
1 mL whole blood
24 - 48 hours
- Fractional clearance ratios are an indication of the proportion of an analyte that is presented to the kidneys that ends up in the urine.
- This is most often done for Na, K, Cl, Ca and P.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- FL
0.5 ml whole blood
24 hours
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
2 mL whole blood (requires 200 uL of serum)
Allow up to 3 weeks
- PC
- LH
- EDTA
- CIT
- FL
0.5 ml whole blood
24 hours
- Is an indication of blood glucose over the previous 2-3 weeks and can be used to either distinguish between transient and persistent hyperglycaemia, or to monitor diabetic patients.
- Hypoproteinemia and hyperthyroidism can cause decreased fructosamine concentrations.
- Samples degradation occurs with time, and measurement of fructosamine must occur within 24 hours of collection.
- Hairs
- Tissue
- Very small samples are less likely to yield a positive culture
1 to 4 weeks depending on when/if fungus grows
Cultures are examined weekly for up to 4 weeks.
- Existing fungal culture
4 weeks
Referred test
Existing fungal culture
Up to 4 weeks
Fungal identification (this is usually after a positive fungal culture result has been reported)
- Hairs
- Skin scrape
Very small samples are less likely to yield a positive result.
24 hours
The sensitivity of KOH microscopy is not as high as culture and a negative result does not rule out dermatophyte infection.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- FL
2 mL whole blood
24 hours
- Haemolysis and the presence of RBCs in the plasma/serum will increase the value.
- Calves & lambs have elevated GGT values due to colostral transfer.
- GGT cannot be used as a measure of colostral transfer in foals, but foals may have a transient increase in GGT in the first 3 weeks of life
- GGT cannot be used as a measure of colostral transfer in cria
PC
- EDTA
- LH
2ml whole blood
48 hours
- Includes Vitamin B12 and folate
- Available for canine and feline samples
PC
- EDTA
- LH
2ml whole blood
48 hours
- Includes Vitamin B12, folate and canine TLI
- Canine only
- PC
- LH
- EDTA
- FL
2 mL whole blood
24 hours
- PC (not a gel tube)
- LH
- PC in a gel tube (the gel absorbs the drug)
1 mL whole blood
14 days
Referred test
- PC
- EDTA
- Urine
2ml whole blood
10 - 14 days
- Referred test
- Galactomannan is a molecule found in the cell wall of Aspergillus sp and can be used as a screening test for systemic Aspergillosis.
- Also consider checking a urine sample for fungal elements.
- Serum should be frozen within 48 hours.
- PC (ALT, creatinine, total T4)
AND - Urine (wet microscopy, protein:creatinine ratio, SG)
AND - FL (accurate glucose)
- SC
- LH
- 2 mL whole blood
- 2 mL of urine is acceptable, but >5 mL is better
24 hours
Do not confuse with the FP3 panel
- Fresh faeces
- Blood
24 hours
- Includes wet microscopy
- Giardia can be intermittently shed.
- Consider faecal PCR testing.
- PC
- LH
- EDTA
2 mL whole blood
24 hours
- FL is the best sample
- PC, LH & EDTA can be used but will give lower results if the plasma has not been removed from the cells soon after collection
1 mL whole blood
24 hours
Samples collected in FL-EDTA give an accurate assessment of glucose at the time of collection. Glucose in other samples will decrease steadily after collection as the cells continue to consume it. Serum samples will often give very low glucose resu
- LH
- EDTA
- Plain clotted
2 mL whole blood
10 - 14 days
- RBC glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is an indicator of Se status.
- Whole blood is preferable to plasma as plasma only indicates current Se intake
- EDTA
- LH
- PC
1 mL whole blood
24 hours
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
1 mL whole blood
3 working days
Can be used in dogs, cats and ferrets.
- LH
- EDTA
- PC
1 mL whole blood
3 working days
- EDTA
- LH
1 mL whole blood
24 - 48 hours
- EDTA
- LH
1 mL whole blood
3 working days
Test is automatically done on all positive microfilaria tests.
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
Minimum of 4 mL whole blood
10 - 14 days
Referred test
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
3 mL whole blood
10 - 14 days
Referred test
Export testing only
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
- FL
3 ml whole blood
3 weeks
- Referred test
- Samples are sent on Mondays and results are returned within two weeks.
- Can be done as an individual test, or as a combination (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus)
- PC
- EDTA
- LH
- CIT
1 mL whole blood
- Test performed Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Results available by COB.
This test is a screening test to determine the level of specific antiviral IgG in the serum. The titre is used as a measure of the humoral immunity. It has been shown that a titre of 1:5 on IFA is considered the appropriate levels to provide protective immunity. Note that it is possible that lower titres are protective and the influence of the cell mediated response cannot be reliably assessed in this manner.
- Cats with a titre of <1:5 may not be adequately protected and revaccination should be considered.
- Cats with a titre of 1:5 but <1:20 may consider revaccination.
- Cats with a titre of 1:20 or greater are considered protected and may not need revaccination. These animals should have their titre rechecked in approximately one year.
- PC
- If the sample is the first of a pair, please indicate this on the submission form so that the sample can be held and the pair processed together.
- LH
- EDTA
4 mL whole blood
10 - 14 days
- Referred test
- For detection of of a rise in Ab (indicative of current infection) paired sera (acute and convalescent) are required 14 days apart.
- Paired samples must be processed at the same time; the first of the pair needs to be separated and frozen until the second sample arrives. If the first of the pair has already been processed, it will need to re-tested with the second sample (ie it would need to be run, and charged for, twice).
- Store whole blood at 4oC, but if transport is delayed it is necessary to separate the serum/plasma from the cells.
- Serum/plasma can be frozen at -20oC or -70oC (do not freeze whole blood).
- Nasal swab not in culture media
- Fixed tissue
- Frozen tissue
- Blood
Swab
Allow at least 10 working days
- Referred test
- Nasal/respiratory swabs and preparations are sent to Vetnostics for the respiratory PCR panel.
- Reproductive samples (swabs and foetal tissue) are send to DPIRD in Perth
- Sample in formalin only
- From April 2, 2007 tissues in Solufix can no longer be processed.
- Need 1:10 ratio of sample to formalin
- Need slices <1 cm thick
3-5 working days
- Standard histopathology includes up to 2 blocks from a lesion/organ and multiple submissions from the same site/organs (eg skin biopsies).
- For WA metro clients VETPATH supplies formol saline - send your bottle and REQUEST REFILL
- For non-WA metro clients, VETPATH suplies prefilled sealed containers of formol saline.