Test Information

To locate information on a particular test, click on the relevant letter and follow the trail. eg To find information on sample requirements, test availability and turnaround time for FeLV, click on "F" and then click on the relevant test.

* Tests referred to external laboratories

To download a copy of our lab request form please click link below:

LAB REQUEST FORM

Please note: All turnaround times are quoted from the time of arrival at laboratory Monday-Friday
Haemoglobin
Suitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • CBC
  • Appropriate profiles
Comments:
Internal Use Only: {Notes for Internal Use}
Internal Codes:
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Heartworm Antigen
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
  • EDTA
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 3 working days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • Can be used in dogs, cats and ferrets.
Internal Use Only: More sensitive as a screening test than microfilaria concentration.
Internal Codes:
  • P13
  • P16
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Heartworm Antigen for Export
Suitable Sample:
  • LH
  • EDTA
  • PC
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 3 working days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
Internal Use Only: Regulations require that the AGEN RIM test is used.
Internal Codes: Q-01
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Heartworm Concentration for Microfilaria
Suitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 - 48 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
Internal Use Only: {Notes for Internal Use}
Internal Codes:
  • P11-P12
  • P15-P16
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Heartworm Microfilaria Identification
Suitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 3 working days
Request/Test Included in:
  • See comments

 
Comments:
  • Test is automatically done on all positive microfilaria tests.

 
Internal Use Only: {Notes for Internal Use}
Internal Codes: P12A
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Hendra (Equine Morbillivirus) ELISA*
Suitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Minimum Sample Size:
  • Minimum of 4 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 10 - 14 days

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • Referred test
Internal Use Only:
  • Goes to the Ag Dept
  • If the result is equivacol, then it is sent to AHHL, which takes significantly longer.
Internal Codes: SA7E
Internal Laboratory: Animal Health Laboratory, Dep't of Ag WA
Internal Test Volume: 1 ml serum ? (this was the AAHL requirement)
Hendra Virus SNT (feline, canine)*
Suitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 3 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 10 - 14 days

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
    • Referred test
    Export testing only
Internal Use Only:

  •  
Internal Codes: SG7O
Internal Laboratory: AAHL Geelong
Internal Test Volume: 1 mL serum
Hepatitis (Canine Adenovirus/Infectious canine hepatitis)* 		(Canine Adenovirus Antibody Titre)
Suitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
  • CIT
  • FL
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 3 ml whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 3 weeks

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
    • 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)
Internal Use Only:
  • Canine adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis) testing is done at Biobest in Scotland
  • Unless specifically requested, distemper and parvovirus antibody titres requested at the same time as an adenovirus titre are done at Vetpath and only the adenovirus test sent to Biobest.
Internal Codes:
  • S13B (adenovirus by VN)
  • S15B (combination distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus ONLY IF ALL are going to Biobest)
  • U
Internal Laboratory: Biobest, Scotland
Internal Test Volume: 1 ml clear serum
Herpesvirus (Feline) Antibody Titre by IFA 		(Feline Herpesvirus Antibody Titre by IFA)
Suitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
  • CIT
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • Run on Wednesday
    • Cut off is 7pm the previous working day
    • Results are reported by 2pm the next day
Request/Test Included in:
  • Individual test
  • Combined feline herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia
Comments: 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.
Internal Use Only:
  • Store 2-8oC
  • Serial dilutions are preformed from 1:5 with four-fold up to 1:80 (greater dilutions may be requested in some cases, charges are negotiable).
  • If the test is being done to detect exposure to calicivirus, acute specimens should be drawn at the start of illness and convalescent specimens should be obtained at 2 to 4 week intervals to check titre changes.
  • Samples can still be sent to Biobest in Scotland if the client requests this.
Internal Codes:
  • S27F
  • S27L for laboratories
  • S24F (combination calici, herpes, panleukopenia)
  • S24L (combination calici, herpes, panleu)
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
  • 50-100 uL serum for single tests
  • approximately 200 uL of serum for the combined tests
Herpesvirus 1 and 4 (Equine) Antibody Titre (EHV1)* 		(Equine Herpesvirus 1 and 4 Antibody Titres)
Suitable Sample:
  • 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.
Unsuitable Sample:
  • LH
  • EDTA
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 4 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 10 - 14 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
  • It is essential to indicate if this is a single sample, or the first/second of a pair. All paired samples must be processed at the same time, even if the first of the pair has already been processed (ie it would need to be repeated)
Comments:
    • 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).
Internal Use Only:
  • Now goes to the Ag Dept NOT Uni of Melbourne
  • Send separated if the sample will not be sent within 36 hours.
  • Transport cool (on ice).
  • Can be frozen.
Internal Codes: SV2 (single) SV3 (paired)
Internal Laboratory: DPIRD
Internal Test Volume: 4ml whole blood
Herpesvirus 1 and 4 (Equine) by PCR* 		(Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1 and 4) detection by PCR)
Suitable Sample:
  • Nasal swab not in culture media
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Fixed tissue
  • Frozen tissue
  • Blood
Minimum Sample Size:
  • Swab
Turnaround Time:
  • Allow at least 10 working days

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Detection of EHV-1 and 4 by PCR

 
Comments:
      • 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
Internal Use Only:
  • Can be sent as part of the Vetnostics Resp PCR panel ($110)  or to Ag Dept ($215)
    • 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
Internal Codes: G32 (nasal) SV4 (repro)
Internal Laboratory: See above
Internal Test Volume:
Histopathology
Suitable Sample:
  • Sample in formalin only

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • From April 2, 2007 tissues in Solufix can no longer be processed.

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • Need 1:10 ratio of sample to formalin
  • Need slices <1 cm thick 
Turnaround Time:
  • 3-5 working days

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • 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.
Internal Use Only:
  • From April 2007 tissues will be processed at WDP
  • Tissue that was previously fixed in Solufix and which cannot be resampled may be able to be processed at Uropath, but please check with John Jardine 
Internal Codes: T01 - T06
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: