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


Vaccination Status - Canine
Suitable Sample:
  • PC
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

 

Turnaround Time:
  • Tests performed on Thursdays
Request/Test Included in:
  • Combined CDV & CPV IFA titres
  • The tests can also be requested individually
Comments: 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.

Rather than merely stopping annual vaccination, dogs may have their immune status assessed to determine whether vaccination is indicated or not.  This is particularly pertinent in at risk animals. Serological titre tests have been designed to measure the IgG levels and studies have shown that protection from infection can be determined with these tests.Further studies have shown that the IFA method is comparable to the gold standard haemagglutination test for CPV and the virus neutralisation test for CDV.

INTERPRETATION:
  • 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.
Internal Use Only:
  • Original file 21-07-2004.
  • EDTA and LH plasma have not been evaluated.
  • Serial dilutions are performed from 1:5 with four-fold dilutions to 1:80.
  • Dilutions greater than 1:80 may be requested in some instances; charges are negotiable.
Internal Codes:
  • S14F - combined CDV & CPV
  • S11F - CPV only & S
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume: 50 uL
Vaccination Status - Feline
Suitable Sample:
  • Serum (PC)
Unsuitable Sample:
  • EDTA
  • LH
Minimum Sample Size:
  • 1 mL whole blood

 

Turnaround Time:
  • Tests performed on Thursdays
Request/Test Included in:
  • Combination of Feline Herpes, Panleukopenia and Calicivirus Ab Titres by IFA
    OR
  • Individual titres by IFA
Comments:
  • These tests are 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 should be revaccinated.
  • Cats with a titre of 1:5 but <1:20 should 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:
  • S24F (combination of calici, herpes & panleukpenia)
  • S25F (Panleukopenia)
  • S26F (Calicivirus)
  • S27F (Feline herpes virus)
  • lab codes deleted CF 3.10.08
Internal Laboratory: VP
Internal Test Volume:
  • 50-100 uL serum for single tests
  • approximately 200 uL of serum for the combined tests
  • Vaginal cytology
    (Oestrus cytology)
    Suitable Sample:
    • Air-dried smear(s)

    OR

    • Swab
    Unsuitable Sample:
    Minimum Sample Size:
    • Single smear

     

    Turnaround Time:
    • 24 hours

     

    Request/Test Included in:
    • Request test

     

    Comments:
    • May be used in conjunction with serum progesterone.

     

    Internal Use Only:
    Internal Codes: C16
    C17
    Internal Laboratory: VP
    Internal Test Volume: N/A
    Vaginal swab (premating)
    (Premating swab)
    Suitable Sample:
    • Swab (vaginal, preputial)

     

    Unsuitable Sample:
    Minimum Sample Size:
    Turnaround Time:
    • 24 hours for culture
    • 48 hours for sensitivity with routine organisms
    Request/Test Included in:
    • Request test

     

    Comments:
    Internal Use Only: {Notes for Internal Use}
    Internal Codes: M05
    Internal Laboratory: VP
    Internal Test Volume:
    Vitamin A*
    Suitable Sample:
    • LH

     

    Unsuitable Sample:
    • PC
    • EDTA
    • FL
    Minimum Sample Size:
    • 2 mL whole blood

     

    Turnaround Time:
    • 10 - 14 days

     

    Request/Test Included in:
    • Request test

     

    Comments:
    • Only published, or expected, reference ranges are available

     

    Internal Use Only:

    Current price March 2019 $82.10 + GST.

    Internal Codes:
    • Last one done as A50, referred test
    Internal Laboratory:
    • Dep't of Agriculture
    Internal Test Volume:
    Vitamin B12 - Large Animals (Cobalt)*
    Suitable Sample:
    • LH for MMA in plasma
    • Milk
    • Tissue
    Unsuitable Sample:
    • EDTA

     

    Minimum Sample Size:
    • Minimum of 2 mL of whole blood for plasma MMA

     

    Turnaround Time:
    • 10 - 14 days

     

    Request/Test Included in:
    • Request test

     

    Comments: Vitamin B12 is used to measure cobalt status as a deficiency of cobalt results in a deficiency of vitamin B12. In ruminants vitamin B12 is measured as MMA (methylmalonic acid); measurement of plasma MMA is the preferred assay for vitamin B12 status in cattle (vitamin B12 is necessary for the normal metabolism of MMA). Vitamin B12 deficiency results in elevated MMA levels.
    Internal Use Only: Anything greater than > 3 umol/L of MMA is significant elevation indicative of vitamin B1/cobalt deficiency (sheep, Dept of Ag).
    Internal Codes: B32a
    Internal Laboratory: Dept of Ag, WA
    Internal Test Volume: 1.0 mL LH plasma
    Vitamin B12 - Small Animals
    Suitable Sample:
    • PC
    Unsuitable Sample:
    • EDTA
    • LH
    • Urine

     

    Minimum Sample Size:
    • 0.6 ml whole blood (no less than 280uL serum)

     

    Turnaround Time:
    • 5 days

     

    Request/Test Included in:
    • Request test

     

    Comments:
    Internal Use Only:
    • Absolute minimum requirement is 280uL serum
    Internal Codes:
    • B32  for small animal vitamin B12 only
    • (B33 for folate only)
    Internal Laboratory: WDP
    Internal Test Volume: 280uL minimum
    Vitamin D (25, hydroxy vit D)
    Suitable Sample:
    • PC
    Unsuitable Sample:
    • EDTA
    • LH
    Minimum Sample Size:
    • 2ml whole blood
    Turnaround Time:
    • 3 days
    Request/Test Included in:
    • Request test
    Comments:
    • 25, hydroxy Vitamin D 
    • see calcitriol for 1,25 hydroxy Vitamin D
    Internal Use Only:
    • Sample is spun, separated and frozen.
    • Send to WDP  
    • 25,hydroxy Vit D is measured at WDP
    • 1, 25,hydroxy Vit D is SENT TO MSU
    Internal Codes: B34
    Internal Laboratory: WDP
    Internal Test Volume: 400 uL serum
    Vitamin E*
    Suitable Sample:
    • LH - see special requirements
    Unsuitable Sample:
    • EDTA
    • PC
    Minimum Sample Size:
    Turnaround Time:
    • 10 - 14 days

     

    Request/Test Included in:
    • Request test

     

    Comments: Sample  needs to be centrifuged and plasma submitted frozen and protected from light (wrapped in foil)
    Internal Use Only: Dept of Ag handbook states LH as the sample, but confirmed with them that serum is also acceptable.
    Internal Codes:
    Internal Laboratory: Dept of Ag, WA
    Internal Test Volume: 250 uL serum OR plasma
    von Willebrands Disease (Genetic testing)
    Suitable Sample:  
    Unsuitable Sample:  
    Minimum Sample Size:
    Turnaround Time: Not available
    Request/Test Included in:  
    Comments: This testing is not done at Vetpath.
    Options for testing include:
    • www.orivet.com
    • Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital (Emergency and Critical Care Department)
    Internal Use Only:
    Internal Codes:
    Internal Laboratory:
    Internal Test Volume: