General Information About Tests

Note: For general information on the different types of tubes select Tube Information from the Quick Links menu.

Turnaround Times

If a result is required urgently, please notify the laboratory either via telephone or mark the relevant request forms as urgent. These tests will be processed as soon as possible. General routine tests are usually available on the same day as the submission, some exceptions are histopathology, microbiology and mycology cultures and batched serology tests.

Referred Tests

Where necessary Vetpath may be required to refer some tests to other laboratories interstate, intrastate as well as internationally.

KEY for Container Abbreviations

Abbreviations Anticoagulant Code
EDTA potassium EDTA

OLD TUBES

A = 5 ml EDTA (pink) or > 5mL
B = 2.5 ml EDTA (green)
B = 1.3 ml microtube
B = 2 ml vacutainer (purple)

VACUETTE TUBES

A = 2 mL EDTA (purple top)
B = 4 mL EDTA (purple top)
PC plain clotted
(serum)

OLD TUBES

D = 10 ml clot tube/vacutainer
D = 1.3 ml microtube

VACUETTE TUBES

D = 6 mL tube (red top)
D+ = 6 mL
PC gel tube
 plain clotted
(serum gel)

VACUETTE TUBES

D+ = 6 mL tube (red with yellow ring) 
LH lithium heparin

OLD TUBES

E = 10 ml lithium heparin/vacutainer
E = 1.3 ml microtube

VACUETTE TUBES

E = 4 mL tube (green top)
E = 9 mL tube (green top)
FL fluoride EDTA

OLD TUBES

F = 2.5 ml fluoride EDTA/vacutainer

VACUETTE TUBES

E = 2 mL tube (grey top)
CIT
 sodium citrate

OLD TUBES

G = 2 mL sodium citrate/vacutainer

VACUETTE TUBES

E = 2 mL tube (blue top)
    H = 70 mL sterile urine container
    I = 25 ml faeces container
    J = sterile swab with transport media
    Q = slide holder
    SI = slide
    LP = large pot
    Env = envelope
    Note: if vacuettes or vacutainers are received this is noted also
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