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
Urea
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
  • LH
  • EDTA
Unsuitable Sample:
  • FL

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • CP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • FP1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • EP 3
  • RP1, 2, 3, 4
  • AP 2, 4
  • Renal monitoring panel
  • Request test
Comments:
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes:
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: 25 uL
Uric Acid
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
  • LH
  • EDTA
Unsuitable Sample:

  • FL
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL whole blood

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • AP 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Request test
Comments:
Internal Use Only: FL EDTA has been used with previous reagents, but no information provided with the Olympus reagent.
Internal Codes:
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: 25 uL
Urinalysis (Wet microscopy, biochem + SG)
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine

 
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL minimum, but >5 mL is much better

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Urinalysis
  • Urinalysis + C&S
  • Urinalysis + cytology
  • Urine cyt + C&S +/- U/A
Comments:
  • Urinalysis = biochem + SG + wet microscopy

 
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes:
  • U02
  • U04
  • U08
  • U09
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Urinary Calculi Analysis - Chemical
Suitable Sample:
  • Calculi

 
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • Needs approximately 1cm3
Turnaround Time:
  • 2 weeks
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
Internal Use Only:
  • Now going to QML
Internal Codes: U13
Internal Laboratory: QML
Internal Test Volume:
Urine Aspergillus check
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine (preferably cystocentesis sample)

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL minimum, preferably 10 mL to allow concentration

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours, then 24 hours later
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • Includes wet microscopy report
  • Includes urine SG
  • Sediment is examined again after 24 hours for fungal hyphae in addition to the initial examination
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: U10
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine Cortisol:Creatinine Ratio (UCCR)*
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL minimum, but >5 mL is much better

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 5 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • Screening test to help rule in/out hyperadrenocorticism.
  • Sample should be collected at home and at least 3 days after last visiting the vet hospital to avoid stress.
Internal Use Only:

Currently send to ASAP in Melbourne LT 24/11
Internal Codes: E23
Internal Laboratory: ASAP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine Culture & Sensitivity (quantitative, aerobic)
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine by cystocentesis is optimal
  • Urine via catheter
  • Voided sample
  • Preferably state how sample collected
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Urine with obvious faecal contamination (eg from dirty litter tray)

 
Minimum Sample Size:
Turnaround Time:
  • 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)
Request/Test Included in:
  • M/C&S (wet micro, culture & sensitivity)
  • Urinalysis + C&S
  • Urine cyt + C&S +/- U/A
Comments:
  • Samples stored at 4oC cultured for up to 24 hours after collection give good results
  • Samples stored at room temperature for up to 2 days and samples stored at 4oC for up to 3 days can be cultured, but both give less reliable results
  • RT results in overgrowth, 4oC may kill fastidious organisms
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes:
  • U01
  • U04
  • U08
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine Cytology
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine

 
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL minimum, but >5 mL is much better

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Urine cytology (includes wet micro & SG)
  • Urinalysis + cytology
  • Urine cyt + C&S +/- U/A
Comments:
  • Urine cytology is indicated specifically if neoplasia is suspected, but is not usually necessary for the diagnosis of UT inflammation and/or infection.
  • Includes wet micro & SG if requested alone
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes:
  • U05
  • U08
  • U09
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine electrophoresis 		(Electrophoresis - urine)
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 5ml
Turnaround Time:
  • 5 days
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
  • Urine electrophoresis is a screening test to detect monoclonal protein in the urine.
  • A narrow based peak in the urine electrophoresis suggests the presence of Bence Jones proteinuria due to multiple myeloma.
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: B19
Internal Laboratory: WDP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine GGT:Creatinine Ratio
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine

 
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood

 
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL minimum, but >5 mL is much better

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

 
Comments:
  • Is used as an indicator of renal tubular damage
  • Primarily done in animals on aminoglycosides such as gentamycin
Internal Use Only: REFERENCE:  Rivers et al (1996) JAAHA 32:323-336
Healthy dogs: <  0.42
Therapeutic doses of gentamicin resulted in up to a two-fold increase in the  mean urine GGT:creatinine ratio that was not associated with clinically significant nephropathy.
Internal Codes: B31
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine osmolality
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine
Unsuitable Sample:
  • Blood
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 0.5ml
Turnaround Time:
  • 48 hours
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test
Comments:
  • Urine osmolality is stable for 3 - 4 days if the sample is refrigerated.
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes: U20
Internal Laboratory: WDP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine Protein:Creatinine Ratio (UPC)
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine

 
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL minimum, but >5 mL is much better

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Request test

 
Comments:
  • Quantitates urinary protein loss
  • Is always run with concurrent urinalysis (included in cost) as active inflammation will influence interpretation of the results.
Internal Use Only: {Notes for Internal Use}
Internal Codes: B30
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine SG (specific gravity)
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine

 
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 0.5 mL minimum (SG alone)

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Urinalysis
  • Urinalysis + C&S
  • M/C&S
  • Wet micro
  • Urine cytology
  • Urine cytology & urinalysis
  • Urine cyt + C&S +/- U/A
  • Request test
  • Also included in CP2, FP2, EP2, RP2 if urine submitted.
Comments:
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes:
  • U01
  • U03-04
  • U06-09
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
Urine Wet Microscopy
Suitable Sample:
  • Urine

 
Unsuitable Sample:
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 2 mL minimum, but >5 mL is much better

 
Turnaround Time:
  • 24 hours

 
Request/Test Included in:
  • Wet micro
  • Urinalysis
  • Urinalysis + C&S
  • M/C&S
  • Urine cytology
  • Urinalysis + cytology
  • Urine cyt + C&S +/- U/A
Comments:
  • Includes SG & pH

 
Internal Use Only:
Internal Codes:
  • U01-02
  • U04-06
  • U08-09 U09
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: