Single smear
24 - 48 hours
Cellular preservation for cytology is superior on an air dried smear.
Cellular preservation is better on an air dried smear.
24 hours
0.75 mL whole blood (minimum 250 uL serum)
5 days
1 mL whole blood
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:
3 ml whole blood
Up to 4 weeks
2 mL urine
48 hours
Detects:
Serum
EDTA
2 mL whole blood
1ml in each tube
EP2 includes a CBC, CK, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin, Na, K, Cl.
EP3 includes CBC, CK, AST, ALP, GGT, GLDH, bilirubin, triglycerides, glucose, urea, creatinine, total protain, albumin, globulins, Na, K, Cl, calcium and phosphorus.
24 - 48 hours (Mon-Sat)
2-3 gm (a larger volume such as 10 gm is better)
10 days
Includes Na, K, Cl and Na:K ratio
0.5 ml urine
1ml whole blood
2ml in each tube
Includes glucose, insulin and endogenous ACTH
2ml whole blood
The Equine Glucose Tolerance Panel includes:
Nasal swab not in culture media
10 - 14 days
Minimum 4 mL whole blood
Up to 3 weeks
4 mL whole blood
Profile includes:
1ml fluid
Referred test
Panel includes:
1.0 mL whole blood
This is the gold-standard test for measurement of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV).
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.
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.
FP3 includes CBC, ALT, ALP, GGT, urea, creatinine, glucose, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin, Na, K, urine SG.
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.
2g faeces
10 gm
24 hours for wet micro, 12 -24 hours, 48 hours
Includes (small animal):
5-10 gm
2-3 gm (a larger volume such as 10 gm is better, especially for maintaining anaerobic conditions in the sample).
1-2 days, Monday to Friday
2-3 gm (but depends on other tests also being requested)
2g
7 days
The panel includes:
PCR panel includes:
Test includes the multiplex PCR panel and a concentration for cysts and ova.
Test includes the feline multiplex PCR panel and a concentration for cysts and ova.
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.
Virus neutralisation test (VNT)
0.5 mL whole blood
Do not confuse with the FP3 panel
3 weeks
VNT = virus neutralisation test
0.5 ml whole blood
3 working days
2ml EDTA blood
1 ml whole blood
Includes: FP2, Toxoplasma IgM and IgG, Cryptococcus and Coronavirus titres,
PCR panel includes Mycoplasma haemofelis, M. haemominutum and M. turicensis.
0.5ml
Single swab.
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.
2ml
Haematology Specimen Collection Protocol:
Lymph Node or other Solid Tissue/Organ Aspirate Material Protocol:
Cavitary Effusion Fluid (Lymphocyte-Rich Effusions) Protocol:
If sufficient fluid, place some in an EDTA tube and the rest in either a PC tube (without activator) or a sterile urine container.
50 ml stomach contents
Allow up to 6 weeks (contact laboratory to confirm expected time for availability of results).
1ml
12 hours
0.8ml clotted blood - unhaemolyzed (minimum 320uL serum)
Haemolysis results in red cell folate being measured rather than serum folate.
2 mL whole blood (requires 200 uL of serum)
Allow up to 3 weeks
1 to 4 weeks depending on when/if fungus grows
Cultures are examined weekly for up to 4 weeks.
4 weeks
Existing fungal culture
Fungal identification (this is usually after a positive fungal culture result has been reported)
Very small samples are less likely to yield a positive result.
The sensitivity of KOH microscopy is not as high as culture and a negative result does not rule out dermatophyte infection.
PC
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 or EDTA whole blood
1 week
RBC glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is an indicator of Se status.
Can be used in dogs, cats and ferrets.
Test is automatically done on all positive microfilaria tests.
Minimum of 4 mL whole blood
3 mL whole blood
Export testing only
Swab
Allow at least 10 working days
3-5 working days
