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
Lead - blood*
Suitable Sample:
  • Requires dedicated sample
  • EDTA
  • LH (no gel tubes)
  • Lith Hep - 200ul whole blood (for avian and reptilian)
Unsuitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1.0 mL whole blood (dedicated sample)
  • 200ul whole blood (for avian and reptilian) (dedicated sample)
Turnaround Time:
  • 5 days

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • Referred test
Internal Use Only:

All species to to Vetnostics
Internal Codes: X01 or X01a (bird/reptile)
Internal Laboratory: Vetnostics
Internal Test Volume: 125uL whole blood
Leishmania by IFAT
Suitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA blood

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • Run on Tuesday
  • Cutoff time 7pm previous working weekday
  • Results available by 2pm the next day
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • If the sample is going to be in transit for more than a day, it is recommended that the serum is separated off if possible and the serum rather than whole is sent (this minimises haemolysis)
  • See VETPATH wesite for current information http://vetpath.com.au
Internal Use Only: Refer to : QHFSS -Qld Health and Forensic Scientific Services, 39 Kessler Rd, Coopers Plains  QLD 4108   Fax  (07) 3274 9175
Internal Codes:
  • Q12 (IFAT serology) /
  • +-
  • Q12L for laboratories
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: 1.0 mL serum, but can go down to 200 uL (not optimal)
Leishmania by PCR*
Suitable Sample:
  • EDTA whole blood

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • PC
  • LH
  • FL
  • SC
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood (EDTA)

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 7 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Leishmania
  • Specifically request PCR
Comments:  
  • Referred test
Internal Use Only:
  • This test is required for dogs returning from Afghanistan
  • Test is now done at WDP Myaree Molecular Department.
  • Att: Mahdad Karimi
Internal Codes: G15
Internal Laboratory: WDP Myaree
Internal Test Volume: 1 mL of whole EDTA blood minimum
Leptospira Antibody Titre(s) by MAT*
Suitable Sample:
  • PC (clear serum, no particles or fibrin tags)

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

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 10 - 14 days.

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
    • Referred test
    It is essential to request WHICH SEROVAR you want the laboratory to test for.
  • If the test is being done on a dog for export, verify what level the test is to be titred to (the requirement will differ from country to country)
  • The test for Leptospira canicola (for canine export) is a MAT
  • Vaccination against Leptospira will result in seropositivity.
  • A four-fold rise in paired samples in a non-vaccinated dog (usually >10-14 days apart) may be indicative of leptospiral infection.
  • A single titre of 1/400 or greater can only be presumptive, indicating possible recent contact with Leptospires.
  • This is a referred test for export purposes and is only available to clients within Australia.
  • Vetpath is DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, formerly AQIS) QAP (Quarantine Approved Premise) approved to import specific samples for certain testing. We are unable to refer imported international samples to other laboratories for export testing that we do not performed at our  premise. Please refer to http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/import/general-info/qap if you require more information. 
Internal Use Only:
  • Ran every week day, cut off 10:00am, can run urgent cases. 
  • Export cases with departure within 10 days must be treated as urgent and sent  with notification of departure date.
  • For dogs, all samples are run at 1/50.
  • Comments updated December 2008 (source QLD lab email).

Price updated July 2020 LT
Internal Codes: SA4
Internal Laboratory: Queensland Health Foresic and Scientfic Services - Leptospirosis Reference Laboratory.
Internal Test Volume: 400uL serum
Leptospira PCR*
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine
  • EDTA blood
Unsuitable Sample:
  • PC
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2ml EDTA blood or urine
Turnaround Time:
  • 7 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
  • Detects Leptospira interrogans by PCR
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: G37
Internal Laboratory: Vetnostics
Internal Test Volume: 2ml EDTA blood or 2ml urine
Levetiracetam* 		(Keppra)
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
Turnaround Time:
  • 3 weeks
Request/Test Included in:
Comments:
  • Referred test
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: B18
Internal Laboratory: Pathwest
Internal Test Volume:
Lipase - DGGR
Suitable Sample:
  • PC (serum) is the preferred sample
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • CIT
  • Fluoride oxalate (glucose tube)
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Individual test(s)
  • CP2
  • CP6
Comments:
The lipase assay routinely run at Vetpath is DGGR lipase. This test uses a novel substrate which is more specific for pancreatic lipase than previous lipase assays.  The DGGR lipase activity has been found to have excellent agreement with the Spec cPL. This agreement correlates with a higher sensitivity and specificity of DGGR lipase for diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in dogs.

Reference: JVIM 2014:28:863-870.

The FP2 panel now includes DGGR lipase. Recent studies have shown that this assay is also a useful and cost-efficient method for the investigation of pancreatic disease in cats. Based on the literature and in house studies, the reference interval for this assay is <26 U/L, with an equivocal range of 26-35 U/L. Patients with results within the equivocal range, and no evidence of azotaemia may benefit from abdominal ultrasound if they have clinical symptoms compatible with pancreatitis.
Reference: J Vet Internal Med 2013; 27:1077-1082
Internal Use Only: Previous assay could not use LH sample, this one can.
Internal Codes:
  • Individual test
  • Profiles
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: 25 uL
Liver Fluke (detection of eggs in faeces)
Suitable Sample:
  • Faeces
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 10 grams
Turnaround Time:

Up to 4 weeks
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: P20
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: 10 gm
Liver Fluke Identification
Suitable Sample:
  • Faeces OR parasite

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood

 
Minimum Sample Size:
Turnaround Time:
  • 3 weeks
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
Internal Use Only: {Notes for Internal Use}
Internal Codes: P20
Internal Laboratory: VP (if unusual parasite may go to Murdoch Uni)
Internal Test Volume:
Liver monitoring panel (canine)
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • FL
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2ml whole blood
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
  • Includes AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, albumin, bilirubin and cholesterol
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: B38
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Liver monitoring panel (equine)
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • FL
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2ml whole blood
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
  • Includes ALP, GGT, GLDH, albumin, bilirubin and total bile acids
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: B39
Internal Laboratory: vp
Internal Test Volume:
Liver monitoring panel (feline)
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • FL
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2ml whole blood
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
  • Includes AST, ALT, ALP, albumin, bilirubin and cholesterol
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: B38a
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test
Suitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • LH
  • EDTA
  • FL
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1.0 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Cortisol
  • ACTH stimulation test (2 cortisol samples)
  • Low dose dexamethasone suppression test (3 cortisol samples)
Comments:
  • A single cortisol is of minimal diagnostic value and dynamic tests of adrenal function are recommended for the diagnosis of both hypoadrenocorticism (Addisons) and hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings).
  • A client information sheet is available on these tests (DCI-02 )
    • The cortisol assay moved from the Immulite 2000 to the Cobas Pro in November 2020. Note that results may be affected by methodology and care must be taken when using published reference intervals. Contact the laboratory to speak with a pathologist for assistance in interpreting cortisol results.
Internal Use Only:
  • A client information sheet is available on these tests (DCI-02 )
  • There is no specific information in the kit insert regarding samples other than serum to indicate that they are suitable or unsuitable.
Internal Codes:
  • E01
  • E02
  • E03
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: Minimum 110 uL
Lungworm (detection of larvae/eggs in faeces) - Feline & Equine
Suitable Sample:
  • Faeces 

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 20 gm faeces

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 48 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
Internal Use Only: {Notes for Internal Use}
Internal Codes: P22
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: 5 gm
Lyme Disease 		(Borrelia burgdorferi)
Suitable Sample:
  • Serum
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
  • FL
  • Urine
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2ml whole blood
Turnaround Time:
  • Test is run Tuesdays and Fridays.
  • Cutt off is 9am.
  • Results are available by 6pm.
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
  • This test is for dogs only.
  • Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi
  • Test is run on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a cut off of 9am.
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: S33
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: