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
Rabies Virus Antibody Titre (FAVN)* 		(AAHL)
Suitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
  • CIT
  • FL
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 - 3 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 10 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request Test
Comments:
  • Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation test
  • Samples are now sent to AAHL and not Biobest.
  • This test must be used for animals that will be returning to Australia.
Internal Use Only: {Notes for Internal Use}
Internal Codes:
  • SG1 (samples going to AAHL)
  • Q07i for those going to Biobest
Internal Laboratory: AAHL, Geelong
Internal Test Volume: 1 ml clear serum
Recreational drug screen
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 5 mL
Turnaround Time:
  • 48 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request Test
  • Specify if barbiturates are required
Comments: Detects:
  • Alcohol
  • Benzodiazepam (Valium)
  • THC/cannabis/marijuana
  • Cocaine metabolites
  • Amphetamines
  • Opiates
  • Methadone
  • Barbituates (need to specify this, need >5 mL for whole screen if barbiturates needed)
Internal Use Only:
  • Performed at WDP
Internal Codes: X11 or X11b (includes barbiturates)
Internal Laboratory: WDP
Internal Test Volume: 5ml
Red Blood Cell Count
Suitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 0.5 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • RBC count
  • CBC
Comments:
Internal Use Only: Recommend do CBC as more information for very little extra cost.
Internal Codes:
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Relaxin 		(Pregnancy - Bitch and queen)
Suitable Sample:
  • LH
  • PC
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

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

 
Comments:
  • Relaxin is first detectable by week 4 of pregnancy, peaks at the 6-8th week then decreases.
  • Sample is stable at 2-8oC for < 48 hours, then freeze.
  • Haemolysis could obscure a weak positive result with the RIM methodology
Internal Use Only: RIM currently in use at Vetpath as the ELISA is not available, but check if necessary (Canine Pregancy Test, FASTest from Megacor).
Internal Codes: E28
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: 100 uL of serum or LH plasma
Renal monitoring panel
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
  • LH
  • EDTA (for PCV)
  • Urine
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2ml blood
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
  • Includes PCV, urea, creatinine, K, calcium, albumin, PO4 and urine SG.
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: B36
Internal Laboratory:
Internal Test Volume:
Renin (see aldosterone)
Suitable Sample:

Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
Turnaround Time:
  • 5 working days
Request/Test Included in:
Comments:
  • See aldosterone for information.
Internal Use Only:
  • Cost: $160 + GST
Internal Codes:
Internal Laboratory: WDP
Internal Test Volume:
Respiratory PCR panel - canine* 		(Canine respiratory PCR panel)
Suitable Sample:
  • Nasal  or deep pharyngeal swab (see comment)
  • BAL or TTA fluid
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood
Minimum Sample Size:
  • Swab
Turnaround Time:
  • 7 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments: 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

Panel includes:
    • Bordetella bronchiseptica
    • Canine Adenovirus type 2
    • Canine Herpesvirus type 1
    • Canine Parainfluenza virus
    • Mycoplasma cynos
    • Mycoplasma canis
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: G11K9
Internal Laboratory: Vetnostics
Internal Test Volume:
Respiratory PCR panel - equine* 		(Equine respiratory PCR panel)
Suitable Sample:
  • BAL or TW in EDTA
  • Swab (not in culture media)
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1ml fluid
Turnaround Time:
  • 7 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:

Panel includes:

  • Equine Herpesvirus 1
  • Equine Herpesvirus 4
  • Rhodococcus equi
  • Streptococcus equi subsp. equi
  • Chlamydia psittaci
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: G32
Internal Laboratory: Vetnostics
Internal Test Volume:
Respiratory PCR panel - feline* 		(Feline respiratory PCR panel)
Suitable Sample:
  • Swab of tears or exudate (see Comments) (not in culture media)

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Sample in transport medium.
  • Frozen sample.
Minimum Sample Size:
  • Single swab.

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 7 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Feline respiratory profile by PCR

 
Comments: Panel includes:
      • Feline calicivirus
      • Bordetella bronchiseptica
      • Chlamydia felis
      • Feline herpesvirus-1
      • Cryptococcus spp
      • Mycoplasma felis

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.
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: G11Fel
Internal Laboratory: Vetnostics
Internal Test Volume:
Reticulocyte Count
Suitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Unsuitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 0.5 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Reticulocyte count
  • CBC
Comments:
  • Part of CBC and is automatically done on all anemic samples (small animals)
  • Can be done separately as part-CBC
  • Inappropriate for peripheral blood in horses
Internal Use Only: Recommend do CBC as more information for very little extra cost.
Internal Codes:
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Rodenticide (anticoagulants)*
Suitable Sample:
  • For postmortem samples liver is the best sample (preferably frozen)
  • Vomitus - preferably frozen
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood, urine

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 10 gm minimum, but the more the better

 
Turnaround Time:
  • Allow up to 6 weeks (contact laboratory to confirm expected time for availability of results).

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • Quantitative assays for brodifacoum, bromodiolone, warfarin, coumatetrallyl and pindone

 
Internal Use Only:

  • Send to 

Chemical Residue Laboratory (CRL)
Health and Food Sciences Precinct
39 Kessels Road
COOPERS PLAINS  QLD  410

  •  

http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/biosecurity/veterinary-and-chemical-residue-laboratories/chemical-residue-laboratory
Internal Codes: X12
Internal Laboratory: CRL QLD
Internal Test Volume: N/A
Ross River Virus Antibody Titre*
Suitable Sample:
  • PC

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
  • CIT
  • FL
Minimum Sample Size:
  • >4 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 10 - 14 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request Test

 
Comments:
  • Virus (serum) neutralisation test (SNT)
  • The presence of Ab in a single sample only indicates exposure
  • To confirm a serological diagnosis it is necessary to demonstrate an active infection in the animal as indicated by a rise in the Ab titre
  • Paired samples should be collected; the first sample should be collected during the acute phase of the disease with the second sample collected from the same animal 2 to 4 weeks later
Internal Use Only: Send to the Ag Dept
Internal Codes: SA6
Internal Laboratory: Ag Dept
Internal Test Volume:
RP2 - Ruminant profile
Suitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • PC
  • FL
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1ml in each tube
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:

RP2 contains a CBC, CK, AST, GGT, GLDH, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, BOHB, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, Na, K, Cl.
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: RP2
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
RPC2 - Camelid profile
Suitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • PC
  • FL
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1ml in each tube
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:

RPC2 includes a CBC, CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulins, glucose, ketones. 
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: RPC2
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: