Test Information

• PC

• EDTA
• LH

• 4 mL whole blood

• 10 - 14 days

• Request Test

• Referred test

• Serum

• EDTA
• LH

• 2ml

• 3 weeks

• Request test

• Referred test
• Sample must be spun, separated and frozen within 4 hours of collection

• PC
• LH

• EDTA
• FL
• CIT 

• 2 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• May be affected by haemolysis and/or lipaemia.

• PC (See the comments below regarding the age of suitable samples)

• LH
• EDTA
• CIT

• Minimum 1ml whole blood ensuring that the tube is filled to the nominated capacity.

• 24 hours

• Request test, please contact Vetpath before submitting sample for fee (dependent on taxi fare).

• Sample must be as fresh as possible; preferably less than 2 hours but up to 4 hours is OK.
• The result is affected by pH and storage.
• Treat as a sample collected for blood gas analysis. 
• Once collected DO NOT REMOVE LID.
• If you are requesting other tests which use clotted blood in addition to ionised calcium please include a separate sample for those tests.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• CIT

• 1 mL whole blood

• Run on Wednesday
• Cut off is 7pm the previous working day
• Results are reported by 12pm the next day

• Individual test
• Combined feline calicivirus, herpes virus & panleukopenia

• 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
• FL

• 3 ml whole blood

• 3 weeks

• Request Test (must specifically request antibody titre by virus neutralisation test/VNT)
• Contact laboratory if doing multiple tests for a client

• Referred test
• Virus neutralisation test (VNT)

• Swab of tears or exudate (see Comments)

• Sample in transport medium.
• Frozen sample.

• Single swab

• 5-10 days depending on day sample received.
• Contact the laboratory to confirm.

• Referred test
• Use a dry sterile cotton swab to collect the sample.
• Do not use a wooden swab.
• Moisten the swab with tears or exudate and vigorously swab both conjunctival sacs or the appropriate lesion.
• Place the swab in a sterile container and refrigerate.
• Do not freeze.
• Do not place in transport medium.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• CIT
• FL

• 3 ml whole blood

• Up to 4 weeks

• Request Test

• Referred test
• Samples are sent on Tuesdays 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

• Run on Wednesday
  • Cut off is 7pm the previous working day
  • Results are reported by 2pm the next day

• CDV antibody titres by IFA 
• Combined CDV & CPV IFA titre (sample requirements are the same as for CDV alone, both tests run the same day)

• 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

• Request test

• CSF

• Blood

• 0.5ml

• 7 days

• Request test

Referred test

Panel includes:

• Toxoplama gondii
• Cryptococcus sp.
• Angiostrongylus sp
• Neospora caninum
• Canine Distemper virus

• PC

• EDTA
• LH

• 3ml whole blood

• Up to 4 weeks

• Request test (must specify Biobest)

• • Referred test
  • Performed by haemagglutination inhibition

• Faeces
• Faecal swab

• Blood

• Faecal swab

• 12 hours

• Request test

• False negative results may occur as the period of viral shedding in the faeces is relatively brief and virus is seldom detected 10 to 12 days after infection (this corresponds to 5 to 7 days of clinical illness).
• False negatives may also occur very early in infection; retest in 36 to 48 hours if this is suspected.
• Modified live vaccination results in transient faecal shedding and may give a weak positive result 5-15 days after vaccination.

• 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

• CPV antibody titre by IFA 
• Combined CDV & CPV IFA titres

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.

• 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.

• Nasal or deep pharyngeal swab (see comment)
• BAL or TTA

• Blood

• Swab or 1ml fluid

• 7 days

• Request test

Referred test

PCR is a highly sensitive and specific method of testing for infectious canine Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (URTD). Sampling should ideally be performed early in the disease course. Increased chronicity, previous treatment and prior vaccination can reduce the expression of organisms on epithelial cells. The best samples for Canine 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. Sampling sites should be selected based on the clinical presentation, and may include nasal swabs, deep pharyngeal swabs, ocular swabs and swabs or fluid from a trans-tracheal wash (TTW) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The swabs (plastic shaft only) 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. If cytology is also required for TTW or BAL samples, please submit separate EDTA fluid and slides

• Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Canine Adenovirus type 2
• Canine Herpesvirus type 1
• Canine Parainfluenza virus
• Mycoplasma cynos
• Mycoplasma canis

• EDTA (hematology component of CP2). LH is less suitable but can be used.
  PLUS
• PC (biochemisty & serology)
  PLUS 
• FL (glucose)
  PLUS
• Urine for the SG component of the CP2

• SC

• 2 mL of whole blood

• CP2: 24 hours
• Cryptococcus Titre: 3 days
• Neospora & Toxoplasma serology: Run Monday and Thursday. Results are available by noon the next day. Samples must be at the laboratory the night before testing. 

• Canine Seizure Panel (CSP)

• CP2
• Neospora IgG IFA
• Toxoplasma IgG & IgM IFA
• Cryptococcus latex agglutination titre

• EDTA
• PC
• FL

• 1ml EDTA
• 1ml PC

• 24 hours

• Request test (AVAILABLE FROM JULY 1 2022)

• Profile includes CBC, total protein, albumin, globulins, glucose, Na, K, Cl, Na/K ratio, calcium, phosphorus, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, ALP, CK, cholesterol, bilirubin, amylase, total T4. 
• Not included: lipase, GGT and CRP.     

• Urine

• Blood

• 2 mL

• 48 hours

• Request recreational drug screen

• PC 

• EDTA
• LH
• SC

• 2 ml whole blood submitted within 24 hours (See comment)

• 2 days (canine and feline)
• 7 - 10 days (equine)

• Request test

• Samples must be submitted within 24 hours and kept cold
• If sending overnight, spin, separate and freeze the sample. Submit frozen.

• EDTA
• CIT if less than 1 day old (note dilution factor)
• LH for some birds and reptiles

• PC
• FL

• 1.0 mL, but prefer 2 mL

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Aimes medium with charcoal swabs (see comments)

• Normal transport media swabs

• Mares: 1 swab
• Stallions: 3 swabs

• 14 days

• Request CEM culture - referred test to DPIRD

• Referred test
• Need to use Aimes with charcoal swabs.

• 2 air-dried smears of exudate (area the size of a 5 cent coin on each slide)
• Feline samples: conjunctival or exudate
• Avian samples: cloacal swab/smear, fresh liver
• Do NOT refrigerate

• Samples in transport media.

• 1 smear

• 3 days

• Request test

• Conjunctival swab
  AND/OR
• Cloacal swab
• See below for sample collection

• Blood
• Swabs in transport medium

• One swab
• If more than one swab is submitted per animal, each swab is charged for separately

• 10 days

• Chlamydia PCR for koala

• Referred test
• Use a dry sterile cotton swab to collect the sample.
• Moisten the swab with tears or exudate and vigorously swab both conjunctival sacs and/or cloaca.
• Place the swab in a sterile container and refrigerate.
• Use a separate container for each animal if collecting from more than one animal.
• Do not freeze.
• Do not place in transport medium.

• Dry swab from cloaca, respiratory tract or conjunctiva

• Blood
• Swab in media

• Dry swab

• 2 weeks

• Request test

• Referred test

• PC
• LH

• EDTA
• FL

• 2 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• PC
• LH 
• EDTA

• CIT
• FL

• 2 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• PC
• LH

• EDTA
• FL

• 2 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• To assess muscle damage usually measure CK and AST.

• CIT and EDTA

• PC
• LH

• Filled CIT tube PLUS
• 2 mL EDTA

• 24 hours

• Request test

• EDTA

• PC
• CIT
• Lithium heparin
• Samples from species other than dogs

• 0.5 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Only canine Coombs test is currently available

• LH
• Tissue - liver if deficiency suspected
• Tissue - liver or kidney if excess is suspected

• PC
• EDTA

• 10 mL whole blood
• 1 g fresh liver (can be frozen)
• 1 g formalin fixed tissue

• 10 - 14 days

• Request test

• LH
• PC
• Tissue (liver)

• EDTA

• 1 ml whole blood
• 1g  liver - fresh or in formalin

• 10 - 14 days

• Request test

• 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 preferable (extra fluid can be submitted in a plain tube without clot activator)

• 14 days

• Request test (anti-FIP direct IFA)
• May also be requested as an additional test to fluid cytology

• PC
• EDTA
• LH
• Feline only

• CIT
• Species other than cats

• 1.0 mL whole blood

• Run Tuesday and Friday
• Cutoff time 7pm previous working week day 
• Results available the same day

• This test is included in the FIP Screen
• It may also be requested as an individual test (Coronavirus Indirect IFA)

• 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

• LH
• EDTA
• FL

• 0.5 mL whole blood

• Cortisol
• ACTH stimulation test (2 cortisol samples)
• Low dose dexamethasone suppression test (3 cortisol samples)

• A single cortisol is of minimal diagnostic value and dynamic tests of adrenal function are recommended for the diagnosis of both hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) and hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease).
•  A client information sheet is available on these tests.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH

• 2ml whole blood

• Tests are run on Wednesday
  • Cutoff time 7pm the previous working weekday.
  • Results are available by 12pm Thursday.

• Request test

• IFA test
• Canine only

• EDTA
• FL
• PC

• 1ml in each tube

• 24 hours

• Request test

• CP2 includes CBC, CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, DGGR lipase, amylase, glucose, cholesterol, Na, K, Cl, total protein, albumin, globulins, CRP, calcium, phosphorus, urine SG and ketones (if indicated).

• EDTA
• FL
• PC

• 1ml in each tube

• 24 hours

• Request test

• CP4 includes CBC, ALT, ALP, GGT, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulins, Na, K, Cl, urine SG. 

• PC
• FL (Glucose only)

• EDTA (Can be used for some tests)

• 1ml 

• 24 hours

• Request test

CP6 is the biochemistry panel of a CP2. This includes CK, AST, ALT, GGT. bilirubin, urea, creatinine, DGGR lipase, amylase, glucose, cholesterol, Na, K, Cl, total protein, albumin, globulin, CRP, calcium, phosphorus, urine SG and BOHB if indicated.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH

• 0.5ml serum

• 24 hours

• Request test

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein that increases in response to a variety of non-specific insults such as inflammation , trauma, immune-mediated disease and neoplasia. Serum concentrations are low in healthy dogs but with the onset of these insults, will increase rapidly. Vetpath have recently validated this test in-house and found that for these conditions (and others), the test has a diagnostic sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 94%.

The test is for dogs only and is included in all CP2. The test can also be requested separately or added on to another panel.

• PC
• LH
• EDTA

• FL

• 2 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• EDTA & PC from both the donor and recipient
• EDTA with plasma can also be used

• LH

• 2 mL whole blood in PC tube from each of donor and recipient
  PLUS
• 2 mL whole blood in an EDTA tube from each of donor and recipient

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Avoid haemolysis as 2+ haemolysis gives invalid results.
• Beware of agglutinated samples
• Major cross match = donor RBCs + recipient serum
• Minor cross match = recipient RBCs + donor serum

• PC
• CSF

• EDTA
• LH

• 2 mL whole blood
• 100uL CSF

• 3 working days
• Test performed Monday - Friday

• Request test

• Test measures up to a titre of 1:65536.  If higher titrations are required, a second fee will be added to obtain the end point titre.
• Positive predictive value in serum is >85%
• Positive predictive value in CSF is >98%.
• Samples MUST NOT be haemolysed for accurate results.  The laboratory will not be able to provide results for samples that are haemolysed.

• Fresh faeces

• Blood

• Sufficient for smear

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Sample in EDTA or special plain CSF tube (1-2 ml maximum needed from dogs & cats)
• Contact the laboratory for special plain CSF tubes (without clot activator)
• EDTA is suitable for cytology, but is not suitable for culture.
• Do NOT use tubes with gel activator in them (usual red top plain clotted blood tubes).

• LH

• (preferably >0.5 mL)

• 12 hours

• Request test

• Should reach the laboratory within 2-4 hours, but if not possible keep cool in transit.
• Place some CSF in an EDTA tube for better cell preservation.
• Can add 10% autologous clear serum for longer transport but does not guarantee good cell preservation.

• Swab, fluid and/or fresh tissue
  PLUS
• Air-dried smear for Gram stain

• Dry swabs
• Culture plates will not be accepted and will be disposed of if submitted.

• Preliminary Gram stain: 12 hours (if needed).
• Culture: 12-24 hours for most organisms (some take longer)
• Sensitivity: 48 hours for most organisms (some take longer)

• Aerobic C&S
• Premating swab
• Mare swab

• Samples should be stored in a cool, dry place; samples do not need to be refrigerated.
• Samples stored at room temperature can be cultured for up to 3 days after collection.
• Further sensitivities must be requested within 24 hours of the sensitivity report being sent out in order to obtain valid results.
• Some in vitro resistance patterns can be predicted based on the organism cultured - this influences the drugs used in susceptibility testing and treatment.
• Organisms that are intrinsically resistant to an antibiotic will be marked with an "X".
• For information on intrinsic antibiotic resistance of specific bacateria, see the information sheet.

• Swab, fluid and/or fresh tissue
  PLUS
• Air-dried smear for Gram stain
  NOTE: Anaerobic culture is appropriate for aspirated fluid or tissues, faeces, surgically-collected samples.

• Dry swabs
• Swabs and surface samples are less suitable for anaerobic culture.
• Culture plates will not be accepted and will be disposed of if submitted

• 2 mL of aspirated fluid
• At least 1 cm² of tissue

• Preliminary Gram stain: 12 hours (if needed)
• Culture: 12-24 hours for most organisms (some take longer)
• Sensitivity: 48 hours for most organisms (some take longer)

• Anaerobic C&S
• Anaerobic culture is also included in non-healing wound culture

• Samples should be stored in a cool, dry place.
• Samples for anaerobic culture should not be refrigerated.
• Samples stored at room temperature can be cultured for up to 3 days after collection.
• Any extra sensitivies must be requested within 24 hours of the results being sent out in order to get meaningful results.
• Some in vitro resistance patterns can be predicted based on the organism cultured - this influences the drugs used in susceptibility testing and treatment.
• Organisms that are intrinsically resistant to an antibiotic will be marked with an "X".
• For information on intrinsic antibiotic resistance of specific bacteria, see the information sheet.

• Fluid and/or fresh tissue if preferred, but a swab can be submitted.
  PLUS
• Air-dried smear for Gram stain

• Dry swabs

• For successful anaerobic culture, it is best to have 2 mL of aspirated fluid
  or
• At least 1 cm² of tissue.

• Total turnaround is up to 4 weeks for acid-fast organisms.
• Preliminary Gram stain: 4 hours (if needed).
• Culture: 12-24 hours for most organisms (some take longer)
• Sensitivity: 48 hours for most organisms (some take longer)

• Non-healing wound culture (NHW)

• Includes aerobic and anaerobic culture, plus Z-N stain and reincubation for acid-fast organisms.
• Samples should be stored in a cool, dry place and should not be refrigerated.
• Do not freeze tissue for culture.
• Samples stored at room temperature can be cultured for up to 3 days after collection.
• Some in vitro resistance patterns can be predicted based on the organism cultured - this influences the drugs used in susceptibility testing and treatment.
• Organisms that are intrinsically resistant to an antibiotic will be marked with an "X".
• For information on intrinsic antibiotic resistance of specific bacteria, see the information sheet

• EDTA

• PC
• LH

• 2 ml whole EDTA

• 7 days

• Request test 

• Blood cyclosporine levels are usually checked a day or two into therapy and then every two to four weeks.
• Submit ASAP after collection and keep chilled.
• EDTA whole blood stable for 7 days when stored at 2-8C.

• Air dried smears for cytology
• Swab for culture if required

• Single smear

• 24 - 48 hours

• Request test

• 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

• Request test

• Cellular preservation is better on an air dried smear.

• Air-dried smears from fine needle aspirate (FNA) - up to 6 from a single site.
• Impression smears from tissue biopsy.
• Routine external cytology and internal organ cytology are charged differently.

• Single smear

• 24 - 48 hours

• Request test

• FNA samples are charged as routine external or internal organ.
• 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.
• Repeat aspirates from a lesion submitted within 1 week of the original submission are charged at a reduced rate.

• 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

• Request test

• If sufficient fluid, place some in an EDTA tube and the rest in either a PC tube (without activator) or a sterile urine container.