Test Information

• PC
• EDTA
• LH

• CIT

• 3 ml whole blood

• 3 weeks

• Request test (must specifically request test by haemagglutination inhibition)
• Contact the laboratory if doing multiple tests for a client in the same submission

• HI = HAI = Haemagglutination inhibition test
• If not specifically requested, the panleukopenia antibody titre will be done at VP by IFA
• Panleukopenia is also called feline infectious enteritis

• LH
• PC

• EDTA

• 1 mL whole blood (400 uL serum minimum)

• Done daily Mon-Fri

• Results available same day Mon-Fri if received early in the day, otherwise may be delayed until the next day
• Check for weekend availability

• Parasite
• Faeces

• Blood

• Single parasite

• 14 days

• Request test

• Air-dried blood smear
• EDTA blood

• PC

• 0.5 mL if submitting blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• If looking for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Haemobartonella felis) then capillary blood (no anticoagulant) is most likely to yield positive results in infected cats.

• PC (submit within 2 hours of collection)
• • If submission to the laboratory within 2 hours is not possible, the serum must be separated and submitted frozen. 

• EDTA
• LH
• Citrate

• At least 2.0 mL whole blood
• Submit an extra serum sample for measurement of ionised calcium concentration (specific requirements)
• If submission to the laboratory within 2 hours is not possible, the serum must be separated and submitted frozen. 

• 4 working days  

• Request Test, contact laboratory in advance.

• Sample must be centrifuged and frozen within 1 - 2 hours of collection. 
• If submission to the laboratory within 2 hours is not possible, the serum must be separated and submitted frozen. 
• A second sample must be submitted if ionised calcium is required.
• Testing for dogs is now sent to Vetnostics and is no longer available in cats.

• Blood
• Cytology smears
• Fluid

• Must have 50 000 cells

• 3 weeks

• Request test

• CIT

• PC
• LH
• EDTA

• Filled CIT tube for PT only
  PLUS
• 2 mL EDTA if doing coagulation profile

• 24 hours

• Request PT
• Request PT/PTT
• Coagulation screen
  
  

• Beware of insufficiently filled OR overfilled CIT tubes; tubes must be filled to just the line marked on the tube.
• Beware of clots in the sample.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH

• 3ml whole blood

• Up to 4 weeks

• Request test (must specify Biobest)

• Performed by haemagglutination inhibition

• 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

Biobest now perform CPV titre testing by IFA (no longer HAI).

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.

• Faeces
• Faecal swab

• Blood

• Faecal swab

• 24 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.

• EDTA
• LH (but cannot do fibrinogen on LH)

• PC
• Any other sample that has clotted

• 0.25 mL whole unclotted blood

• 24 hours

• The PCV is part of the CBC and although it can be done as a single test, a full CBC is recommended
• The fee for a repeat CBC is the same as a PCV (part CBC) and if the PCV is being done as a follow-up to a CBC done in the last 2 weeks, request a repeat CBC as this will provide much more information

• PC

• LH
• EDTA

• 10 - 14 days

• Request test

• Confirm availability of test with lab before submitting sample

• PC
• EDTA
• LH

• FL

• 0.75 ml whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Collect sample at any time between doses.
• More information on monitoring of therapeutic drugs is available on this website.
• Thiopentone anaesthesia does not interfere.

• PC
• LH

• EDTA

• 2ml blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Includes phenobarbitone, ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and triglycerides
• Phenobarbitone can be measured on EDTA, LH or serum
• Collect sample at any time between doses
• More information on monitoring of therapeutic drugs is available in client information sheets.

• PC
• LH

• EDTA
• CIT
• FL

• 2 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• CP 2, 6
• FP 2, 5
• EP 3
• RP 2, 4
• AP 1, 2, 3, 4
• Request test

• EDTA 
• CITRATE can be used, but note that there is a dilution effect of the sodium citrate on the platelet count.

• LH
• PC

• 1 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Can be done as part of a CBC or separately
• Results of automated count must correlate to what is seen on the smear
• If does not correlate to the smear, a manual count may be recommended
• Clumping of platelets or clots will decrease the count

• EDTA
• CITRATE can be used, but note that there is a dilution effect of the sodium citrate on the platelet count.

• PC
• LH

• 1 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Coagulation screen
• Individual test

• Results of manual count must correlate to what is seen on the smear
• If does not correlate with the smear, this will be commented on
• Clots will decrease platelet numbers for counting

• PC preferred
• LH plasma can be used

• 1 mL whole blood

• Run once a week (Tuesday)

• Request test
• All PMSGs are the ELISA test
• The rapid RIM test is no longer available.

• Mare pregnancy 45 - 120 days
• Optimum 70 days

• Joint fluid
• Smears 

• Blood

• At least two smears
• For a full analysis of one joint, at least 0.5ml of joint fluid is required (store in EDTA or serum tube)

• 24 - 48 hours

• Request test

• The polyarthritis screen includes one full synovial fluid analysis and examination of up to 6 smears from other joints. 
• The additional joints will receive a subjection description of cellularity and haemodilution, as well as a differential count.
• Note that fluid in EDTA is not suitable for culture.

• Feathers with some blood soaked in the quill (at least 2 feathers)
  • LH blood soaked into filter paper (200uL)

• EDTA
• PC

• Feathers with some blood soaked in the quill (at least 2 feathers)
  • LH blood soaked into filter paper (200uL)

• 3 weeks

• Request test

• Also called budgerigar fledgling virus (but occurs in all psittacine birds)
• PCR test

• PC
• LH

• EDTA
• CIT
• FL

• 2 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Individual test
• CP 2, 3, 4, 6
• FP 2, 3, 5
• EP 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
• RP 2, 4
• AP 2, 4

• PC

• EDTA
• CIT
• FL
• LH

• 1 mL whole blood

• 10 - 14 days 

• Request test

• Referred test
• Collect blood any time during dosing interval.
• Due to the prolonged half-life of potassium bromide, between 60 and 120 days will be required before testing the therapeutic levels unless loading dose regimens have been utilised initially.
• Mild lipaemia and/or haemolysis is acceptable.

• EDTA
• PC
• LH

• 0.8ml of whole blood in PC

• 0.5ml EDTA blood 

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Includes CBC, CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, GLDH, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, lipase, glucose, cholesterol, electrolytes, proteins, calcium and phosphorus.

• PC
• LH

• 0.8ml whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Biochemistry of PP2
• Includes: CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, GLDH, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, lipase, glucose, cholesterol, electrolytes, proteins, calcium and phosphorus

• EDTA
• FL
• PC

• 1ml in each tube

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Includes PCV (haematocrit), TS protein, ALT, ALP, creatinine, albumin, glucose.

• PC

• Haemolysed samples
• Lipaemic samples

• 2 mL whole blood

• Test is run Tuesdays
• Results available same day

• Request test

1. Samples should be separated and the serum/plasma stored in the freezer once it reaches Vetpath.
2. Oestrone (estrone) sulphate is a steroid hormone detectable in the circulation in many species. It can be produced in the gonads, the adrenals and is produced by the foetal-placental unit during pregnancy.
3. Pregnancy >80 days: Oestrone sulphate levels rise during pregnancy and are a good indicator of a viable pregnancy. In mares oestrone sulphate is detectable in the maternal circulation from early as 60 days post-mating until foaling. In the event of foetal death oestrone sulphate disappears rapidly from circulation.
4. Cryptorchidism in horses 3 yo or older. See information sheet.
5. Goat pregnancy >50 days post-service.

• LH
• PC 

• EDTA

• 1 mL whole blood

• 3 working days

• Request test

• Relaxin is first detectable by week 4 of pregnancy, peaks at the 6-8th week then decreases.
• Sample is stable at 2-8^oC for < 48 hours, then freeze.
• Haemolysis could obscure a weak positive result with the RIM methodology

• PC
• Values in gel serum tubes may increase if stored in the tube

• EDTA
• LH

• 2.5 mL whole blood

• Monday-Friday with 2:00pm cutoff (results usually available by 1 pm)
• Saturday by prior arrangement only

• Request test

• Oestrus staging in bitches
• Early pregnancy in mares
• Pregnancy in camelids (collect samples 15-20 days after removal of male)
• Pregnancy in sows

• PC preferred
• LH plasma can be used

• 1 mL whole blood

• Test is run Tuesdays
• Results available same day

• Request test
• All PMSGs are the ELISA test
• The rapid RIM test is no longer available.

• Mare pregnancy 45 - 120 days
• Optimum 70 days

• Swab (vaginal, preputial)

• 24 hours for culture
• 48 hours for sensitivity with routine organisms

• Request test

• PC
• Values in gel serum tubes may increase if stored in the tube

• EDTA
• LH

• 0.5 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• Request test

• Oestrus staging in bitches
• Early pregnancy in mares
• Pregnancy in camelids (collect samples 15-20 days after removal of male) 
• Pregnancy in sows

• EDTA is optimal for cytology
• PC/H if sample is to be cultured

• LH

• 0.5 mL

• 24 - 48 hours

• Request test

• PC - serum protein
• LH - plasma protein
• EDTA - plasma protein

• Fluoride oxalate (glucose tube)

• 2 mL whole blood

• 24 hours

• CP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• FP1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• EP1, 2, 3
• RP1, 2, 3, 4
• AP1, 2, 3, 4
• Request test

• CIT

• PC
• LH
• EDTA

• Filled CIT tube for PT only
  PLUS
• 2 mL EDTA if doing coagulation screen (including CBC)

• 24 hours

• Request PT
• Request PT/PTT
• Coagulation screen
  
  

• Beware of insufficiently filled OR overfilled CIT tubes; tubes must be filled to the line marked on the tube.
• Beware of clots in the sample.
• PT is the most sensitive indicator of vitamin K-rodenticide toxicity
• If using the PT to monitor adequacy of duration of treatment, measure the PT 48 hours after discontinuation of vitamin K therapy

• Feathers with some blood soaked in the quill (at least 2 feathers)
  • LH blood soaked into filter paper (200uL)

• EDTA
• PC

• Feathers with some blood soaked in the quill (at least 2 feathers)
  • LH blood soaked into filter paper (200uL)

• 3 weeks

• Request test

• PCR test for Circovirus

• CIT

• EDTA
• PC
• FL
• LH

• Fill tube to correct level

• 24 hours

• Request PT
• PT/PTT
• Coagulation profile

• Beware of insufficiently filled OR overfilled CIT tubes; tubes must be filled to the line marked on the tube.
• Beware of clots in the sample.
• PT is the most sensitive indicator of vitamin K-rodenticide toxicity
• If using the PT to monitor adequacy of duration of treatment, measure the PT 48 hours after discontinuation of vitamin K therapy

• PC
• If submission to the laboratory within 2 hours is not possible, the serum must be separated and submitted frozen. 

• EDTA
• LH
• SC

• At least 2.0 mL whole blood
• If submission to the laboratory within 2 hours is not possible, the serum must be separated and submitted frozen. 
  Submit an extra sample for serum ionised calcium concentration which is measured at a local laboratory in Perth.
• This test is now only available for dogs. 

• 4 working days (dogs) 

• Request Test, contact laboratory in advance.

• Sample must be centrifuged and frozen within 1 - 2 hours of collection.
• If submission to the laboratory within 2 hours is not possible, the serum must be separated and submitted frozen. 
  Ionised calcium is measured on a separate sample in Perth.
• Testing for dogs is now performed at Vetnostics in Sydney.
• Test is no longer available for cats.

• EDTA

• PC
• LH

• 2.0 ml whole blood

• 10 - 14 working days

• Request Test, contact laboratory for current price.

• • Contact the laboratory to discuss with a pathologist before submission of the sample.
• Samples must be centrifuged within the first hour.
• Sample should not be lipaemic (fasted).
• Plasma must be sent frozen.

• CIT

• PC
• LH
• EDTA

• Filled CIT tube for PT only
  PLUS
• 2 mL EDTA if doing coagulation profile (including CBC)

• 24 hours

• Request PT
• Request PT/PTT
• Coagulation screen

• Beware of insufficiently filled OR overfilled CIT tubes; tubes must be filled to the line marked on the tube.
• Beware of clots in the sample.