Test Information

• Fresh faeces

• 10 gm

• Same day

• Request test

In small animals, includes:

• Wet microscopy
• Gram stain
• Occult blood
• Concentration for cysts and ova

In large animals, includes:

• Wet microscopy
• Gram stain
• Concentration for cysts and ova
• Faecal egg count

In cases of suspected exocrine pancreatic insufficiency submit a serum sample for a TLI (trypsin-like immunoreactivity).

In cases of persistent diarrhoea consider checking Vitamin B12 and folate levels in serum and faecal multiplex PCR.

• Fresh faeces (important for culture)

• NOTE: If sample cannot be cultured immediately, store at room temperature prior to transport to the laboratory.

• 10 gm

• Same day for faecal analysis
• 12-24 hours for culture of routine organisms
• 48 hours for sensitivity on routine organisms

• Request test

• Wet microscopy
• Gram stain
• Cysts & ova
• Occult blood
• C&S

• Fresh faeces

• Faecal
• Rectal swab

• 5-10 gm

• 4 hours Mon-Sat

• Faecal wet micro with C&O
• Faecal concentration C&O
• Faecal analysis
• Faecal analysis with C&S

• This is a qualitative, not quantitative test.
• Method includes flotation for Giardia.

• Fresh faeces
• Faecal swab can be used, but is suboptimal.
  NOTE: If sample cannot be cultured immediately, store at room temperature prior to transport to the laboratory.

• 2-3 gm (a larger volume such as 10 gm is better, especially for maintaining anaerobic conditions in the sample).

• 12-24 hours for culture of routine organisms
• 48 hours for sensitivity on routine organisms

• Request test

• Faecal culture includes a wet microscopy.
• Transport to the laboratory without refrigeration.
• At the laboratory samples are stored at 4^oC to minimise overgrowth, but this will kill the more fragile organisms and poorer results will be obtained from samples stored before C&S is requested.
•  

• Fresh faeces

• Faecal swab

• 2-3 gm (a larger volume such as 10 gm is better)

• 4 hours, Monday to Saturday

• Request test

• May be done on either individual animals or a pooled samples
• A pooled sample may contain faeces from a maximum of 10 animals
• The saturated salt solution is efficient at floating common parasite eggs, but does not float trematode eggs and some tapeworm eggs. Specific procedures are required for these parasites.
• Faeces are stable for 3 days when refrigerated.

• Faeces

• Blood

• A few weeks

• Request test

• Faeces

• Blood

• 1g

• 3-5 working days

• Request test

Panel includes:

• Campylobacter spp
• Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin
• Salmonella sp
• Canine Parvovirus 2
• Giardia lambalia
• Cryptosporidium spp
• Canine Coronavirus
• Canine Distemper virus

• Faeces

• Blood

• 2g

• 4 working days

• Request test

• • Panel includes:
  • Lawsonia intracellularis
  • Clostridium difficile toxin A/Toxin B
  • Clostridium perfingens Toxin A/Toxin B
  • Salmonella
  • Equine coronavirus

• Faeces

• Blood

• 2g

• 5 - 7  days

• Request test

PCR panel includes:

• Clostridium difficile Toxin A/Toxin B
• Clostridium perfringens Toxin A/CPE toxin/cpb2 toxin/netF toxin
• Salmonella spp
• Equine coronavirus
• Rotavirus
• Cryptosporidium

• Faeces

• Blood

• 2g

• 3 - 5 working days

• Request test

• Campylobacter spp
• Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin
• Salmonella spp
• Feline Parvovirus
• Giardia lamblia
• Cryptospridium spp
• Feline Coronavirus
• Tritrichomonas foetus
• Toxoplasma gondii

• Faeces

• Blood

• 2g

• 3 - 5 working days

• Request test

• Test includes the multiplex PCR panel and a concentration for cysts and ova. The PCR panel includes:

  • Campylobacter spp
  • Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin
  • Salmonella sp
  • Canine Parvovirus 2
  • Giardia lambalia
  • Cryptosporidium spp
  • Canine Coronavirus
  • Canine Distemper virus

• Faeces

• Blood

• 2g

• 3 - 5 working days

• Request test

test includes the feline multiplex PCR panel and a concentration for cysts and ova. The PCR panel includes:

• Campylobacter spp
• Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin
• Salmonella spp
• Feline Parvovirus
• Giardia lamblia
• Cryptospridium spp
• Feline Coronavirus
• Tritrichomonas foetus
• Toxoplasma gondii

• Fresh faeces (see Comments)

• Faecal swab

• 2-3 gm

• 3 hours, Monday - Saturday

• Request test
• Faecal analysis +/- C&S

• The “occult blood” tests depend on detection of pseudoperoxidase activity of the haeme portion of haemoglobin and myoglobin.

• Intact erythrocytes – haematochezia – will not cause a positive occult blood test result. 

• Diets containing red meat (lamb, beef or liver) can cause a false positive. This also applies to canned food. Feed a non-red meat diet for 3 days before collection of faeces (chicken, cottage cheese, rice, pasta). False positives can also occur with foods that contain peroxidases such as beets and tomatoes.

• The sensitivity of the test increases if 2 - 3 separate faecal collections are tested.

• Fresh faeces
• Faecal swab

• 2-3 gm (but depends on other tests also being requested)

• 3 hours, Monday - Saturday

• Request test (faecal wet micro)
• Faecal wet micro with C&O
• Faecal wet micro with Gram, C&S
• Faecal analysis +/- C&S

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• CIT

• 1 mL whole blood

• Run Tuesday and Thursday
• Cutoff is 7pm previous working weekday
• Results available the same day

• Individual test
• Combined feline calicivirus, herpes virus & panleukopenia

• Cats with a titre of <1:5 may not be adequately protected and revaccination should be considered.
• Cats with a titre of  1:5 but <1:20 may 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.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• CIT
• FL

• 3 ml whole blood

• Approximately 2 weeks

• Request Test (must specifically request antibody titre by virus neutralisation test =VNT)
• Contact laboratory if doing multiple tests for a client

• PC (serum)
• Feline only

• EDTA
• LH
• Species other than cats

• 1.0 mL whole blood

• Run Tuesday and Friday
• Cutoff time 7pm previous working day
• Results available the same day

• This test is included in the FIP Screen
• It may also be requested as an individual test (Coronavirus Indirect IFA)

• Titres of 1:10 or less are considered seronegative
• Titres 1:40 or greater considered seropositive
• Titres <1:10 indicate a low likelihood of coronavirus shedding. If the cat is infected they are likely to stop shedding when isolated.
• Cats with high titres (1:640 or higher) are almost always shedding virus but can stop shedding upon isolation. This can be demonstrated by a drop in their titre to low or undetectable levels.
• Cats with clinical FIP usually have a high titre (1:640 or higher), although a few cases may show low titres in the terminal stages (particularly in the effusive forms).
• The higher the titre the greater the specificity and sensitivity of this test for a diagnosis of FIP. The positive predictive index at 1:1600 is 0.94 and the negative predictive index 0.88 (J Vet Int Med 2003:17 781-790)
• No single test is suitable to confirm a diagnosis of FIP apart from histopathology. Clinical diagnosis of FIP should be based on a wide variety of tests including history, age, number of cats in household, persistent pyrexia and laboratory data including assessment of acute phase proteins, analysis of effusions, haematology and biochemical tests as well as specific serological tests to list a few.

• PC (ALT, creatinine, total T4)
  AND
• Urine (wet microscopy, protein:creatinine ratio, SG)
  AND
• FL (accurate glucose)

• SC
• LH

• 2 mL whole blood
• 2 mL of urine is acceptable, but >5 mL is better

• Approximately 4 hours (within normal laboratory hours) for ALT, creatinine and urine tests
• Total T4 are run Monday to Friday, cutoff approximately 11:00 am

• FGP (feline geriatric panel)

• Do not confuse with the FP3 panel

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• CIT

• 1 mL whole blood

• Run Tuesday and Thursday
• Cutoff is 7pm previous working day
• Results available the same day

• Individual test
• Combined feline herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia

• 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.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• CIT
• FL

• 3 ml whole blood

• Approximately 2 weeks

• Request Test (must specifically request antibody titre by VNT)
• Contact laboratory if doing multiple tests for the same client in a single submission

• EDTA
• PC
• LH

• FL

• 0.5 ml whole blood

• 4 hours

• Request test
• Can be done in combination with FeLV soluble antigen RIM

• The test performed on a chromatographic immunoassay for FIV antibody that has been validated as a discriminatory test in cats vaccinated against the virus and those naturally infected. In this study none of the vaccinated cats (0/107) were positive using this antibody assay. Kittens less than six months of age were not included in this study (due to the possibility of maternal antibodies being present) (Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2015)

• EDTA blood (whole, not separated)
• fluoride EDTA blood (whole not separated)

• Serum, plasma
• Non-EDTA or non-fluoride EDTA anticoagulated blood

• 1 mL

• 2 - 3 weeks

• Request test
• Be clear to specific FIV antigen by PCR not just FIV

• The PCR test detects viral DNA.
• The test is not affected by the presence of antibodies (which are detected by the ELISA and RIM tests).
• Vaccinated cats should have antibodies to FIV and the PCR is the only way in which a diagnosis of FIV infection can be made in vaccinated cats.

• EDTA

• PC
• LH

• 1 mL whole blood

• Approximately 1 week

• Request test
• Specify PCR (as separate from smear examination)

• Previously named Haemobartonella felis (feline infectious anaemia)
• PCR is a more sensitive and accurate technique for the diagnosis of Mycoplasma hemofelis.
• The test distinguishes between M. hemofelis and M. hemominutum

• EDTA
• PC
• LH

• CIT
• FL

• 0.5 ml whole blood
• Blood must be </= 4 days old

• 4 hours

• Request test
• Can be done in combination with FIV RIM

• Detects soluble antigen. Cats exposed to FeLV will usually test positive within 28 days, but may be longer (up to 90 days).
• Many infections are transient and a positive result in a healthy cat should be followed by either IFA, or retested by ELISA in 6 weeks. However, any positive ELISA result is best followed by IFA (only 3-9% of cats with a direct positive IFA result have transient viraemia).
• Vaccination does not interfere with detection of antigen.

• EDTA

• PC
• CIT
• LH

• 2ml EDTA blood

• 7 days

• Request test

• CSF

• Blood

• 0.5ml

• 3 working days

• Request test

Panel includes:

• Toxoplama gondii
• Cryptococcus sp.
• Coronavirus

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• CIT

• 1 ml whole blood

• Run Tuesday and Thursday
• Cutoff is 7pm previous working week day
• Results available the same day

• Individual test
• Combined feline panleukopaenia, calicivirus and herpesvirus

• Cats with a titre of <1:5 may not be adequately protected and revacinnation should considered.
• Cats with a titre of  1:5 but <1:20 may 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.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• CIT
• FL

• 3 ml whole blood

• Approximately 2 weeks

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

• Method used is IFA (No longer HAI)
• Panleukopenia is also called feline infectious enteritis

• Swab of tears or exudate (see Comments)

• Sample in transport medium.
• Frozen sample.

• Single swab.

• 2 - 3 days depending on day sample received.
• Contact the laboratory to confirm.

• Feline respiratory profile by PCR

• Tests for Chlamydia, Herpesvirus, Calicivirus and Bordetella sp.
• Use a dry sterile cotton swab to collect the sample.
• Moisten the swab with tears or exudate and vigorously swab both conjunctival sacs or the appropriate lesion.
• Place the swab in a sterile container and refrigerate.
• Do not freeze.
• Do not place in transport medium.
• Refer to client information sheet.

• EDTA, PC and FL

• LH

• 2ml whole blood

• FP2: Same day (Mon-Sat)
• Cryptococcus Titre: Same day (Mon-Friday 3:00 pm cutoff, Saturday 1:00 pm cutoff)
• Coronavirus & Toxoplasma serology: Run Tues & Friday with a 10 am cutoff. Results for these test are usually available later that day.

• Request Feline seizure panel

• PC - fast for 18 hours prior to collection

• EDTA
• LH
• Hemolysed serum is also not suitable

• 1.5 mL whole blood

• Contact VETPATH (the sample goes to the USA)

• Request test
• FELINE TLI

• Fast for 18 hours prior to sample collection
• Species specific assay
• Feline TLI is currently only done in the USA (canine TLI is available at VETPATH)
• Feline reference range is 12.0 - 82.0 ug/L
• Low values are diagnostic for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
• Values >100 ug/L in cats are consistent with acute or chronic pancreatitis.
• Decreased renal excretion may also increase TLI, but the increases observed are mild even in severe renal failure.

• EDTA
• LH
• Buffy coat smear
• Bone marrow

• PC

• 0.5 mL if submitting whole blood or bone marrow

• Tuesday to Friday
• Cutoff is 7pm the previous working weekday
• Results by 6pm

• Request test

• Detects cell-associated antigen and is done as a follow-up test in cats that test positive by ELISA.
• Cats test positive after bone infection occurs (at least 3 weeks of viraemia).
• Cats positive by IFA are usually permanantly infected with FeLV as >90% of IFA-positive cats remain positive for life and never reject the virus.   Only 3-9% of IFA positive cats have transient viraemia.

• EDTA
• PC
• LH

• CIT
• FL

• 0.5 ml whole blood
• blood must be <= 4 days old

• 4 hours

• Request test
• Can be done in combination with FIV antibody

• Detects soluble antigen. Cats exposed to FeLV will usually test positive within 28 days, but may be longer (up to 90 days).
• Many infections are transient and a positive result in a healthy cat should be followed by either IFA, or retested by ELISA in 6 weeks. However, any positive ELISA result is best followed by IFA (only 3-9% of cats with a direct positive IFA result have transient viraemia).
• Vaccination does not interfere with detection of antigen.

• EDTA

• PC
• CIT
• LH

• 2ml EDTA blood

• 7 days

• Request test

• EDTA
• SC

• LH
• PC

• 0.5 ml whole blood

• 0.5 hour

• Request test

• Is done routinely for large animals.
• Is done if requested or if indicated (eg history says suspect pyometra) in small animals.

• Air-dried smears from FNA (up to 6 smears) from a single lesion
• Aspirated material (no needles on syringes unless securely capped)

• Single smear

• 24 hours Monday-Saturday
• Most results are available later the same day
• Samples submitted late in the day may be read the next morning (results available by 1 pm)
• If a sample is urgent, please note this on the submission form.

• Request test

• Submission of at least two smears or smears from more than one FNA of a lesion increases the chances of a diagnostic sample without increasing the cost.
• Aspirates from multiple nodes are charged as a single sample.
• Extra aspirates from separate lesions in the same animal are charged at a reduced rate.

• PC (serum)
• Feline only

• EDTA
• LH
• Species other than cats

• 1.0 mL whole blood

• Run Tuesday and Friday
• Cutoff time 7pm previous working week day
• Results available the same day

• This test is included in the FIP Screen.
• It may also be requested as an individual test (Coronavirus Indirect IFA) .

• Titres of 1:10 or less are considered seronegative.
• Titres 1:40 or greater considered seropositive.
• Titres <1:10 indicate a low likelihood of coronavirus shedding. If the cat is infected they are likely to stop shedding when isolated.
• Cats with high titres (1:640 or higher) are almost always shedding virus but can stop shedding upon isolation. This can be demonstrated by a drop in their titre to low or undetectable levels.
• Cats with clinical FIP usually have a high titre (1:640 or higher), although a few cases may show low titres in the terminal stages (particularly in the effusive forms).
• The higher the titre the greater the specificity and sensitivity of this test for a diagnosis of FIP. The positive predictive index at 1:1600 is 0.94 and the negative predictive index 0.88 (J Vet Int Med 2003:17 781-790).
• No single test is suitable to confirm a diagnosis of FIP apart from histopathology. Clinical diagnosis of FIP should be based on a wide variety of tests including history, age, number of cats in household, persistent pyrexia and laboratory data including assessment of acute phase proteins, analysis of effusions, haematology and biochemical tests as well as specific serological tests to list a few.

• Abdominal or Thoracic fluid, as fresh as possible. 
• EDTA (if not collected in EDTA transfer to EDTA as soon as possible)
• Immunohistochemistry can be done on formalin-fixed tissues.
• Keep sample chilled, not frozen

• Serum or plasma

• 1 mL fluid is the absolute minimum
• 10 mL of fluid is preferab

• 5 working days  (1-2 working days once received at the interstate referral laboratory)

• Request test (anti-FIP direct IFA)
• May also be requested as an additional test to fluid cytology

• PC

• LH
• EDTA

• 1.0 ml whole blood

• Coronavirus IFA Run Tuesday and Friday, cutoff 7pm previous working weekday
• A:G ratio run daily, on demand

• Request test (FIP Screen)
• Each test may also be requested as an individual test
• Can upgrade from a coronavirus antibody titre to a screen

• Consists of alpha 1 AGP, Feline Coronavirus titre and albumin:globulin ratio.
• This is a comprehensive panel of tests best used to differentiate cats with FIP from those with non-FIP disease presenting with similar clinical signs.

• EDTA
• PC
• LH

• FL

• 0.5 ml whole blood

• 4 hours

• Request test
• Can be done in combination with FeLV RIM

• The test performed on a chromatographic immunoassay for FIV antibody that has been validated as a discriminatory test in cats vaccinated against the virus and those naturally infected. In this study none of the vaccinated cats (0/107) were positive using this antibody assay. Kittens less than six months of age were not included in this study (due to the possibility of maternal antibodies being present) (Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2015)

• EDTA blood (whole, not separated)
• Fluoride EDTA blood (whole not separated)

• Serum, plasma
• Non-EDTA or non-fluoride EDTA anticoagulated blood

• 1mL

• 2 - 3 weeks

• Request test
• Be clear to specific FIV antigen by PCR not just FIV

• The PCR test detects viral DNA.
• The test is not affected by the presence of antibodies (which are detected by the ELISA and RIM tests).
• Vaccinated cats should have antibodies to FIV and the PCR is the only way in which a diagnosis of FIV infection can be made in vaccinated cats.

• EDTA (less than 24 hours old)

• PC

• 2ml

• 5 days

• Request test

• Sample must arrive at the Sydney referral laboratory within 48 hours of collection. 
• Blood samples must be submitted on Monday or Tuesday for overnight courier.
• A current CBC is required.

• Fresh smears made at the time of collection are useful.
• EDTA is optimal for cytology
• Collect non-anticoagulated if sample is to be cultured; samples in EDTA are not suitable for culture

• LH

• 0.5 mL if cell count is to be done.
• Smears for cytology are useful. 

• 24 hours Monday-Saturday
• Most results are available later the same day
• Samples submitted late in the day may be read the next morning (results available by 1 pm)
• If a sample is urgent, please note this on the submission form

• Request test

• Stomach contents or Vomitus - freeze in a glass container
• Bait

• Blood, urine

• 50 ml stomach contents

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

• Request test

• Air-dried smears from FNA (up to six)
• Aspirated material (no needles on syringes unless securely capped)

• Single smear

• 24 hours Monday-Saturday
• Most results are available later the same day
• Samples submitted late in the day may be read the next morning (results available by 1 pm)
• If a sample is urgent, please note this on the submission form

• Request test

• Submission of at least two smears or smears from more than one FNA of a lesion increases the chances of a diagnostic sample without increasing the cost.
• Aspirates from multiple lymph nodes are charged as a single sample.
• Extra aspirates from separate lesions in the same animal are charged at a reduced rate

• PC
• LH
• Tissue

• EDTA

• 2 weeks

• Request test

• Contact Vetpath to see if this test is available

• PC

• EDTA 
• LH
• Tissue

• 1.5ml clotted blood - unhaemolyzed

• Up to 5 working days

• Request test

• Haemolysis results in red cell folate being measured rather than serum folate.

• EDTA
• FL
• PC

• 1ml in each tube

• 4 hours

• Request test

FP1 includes a CBC, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulins, urine SG

• EDTA
• FL
• PC

• 1ml in each tube

• 4 hours

• Request

• FP2 includes a CBC, CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, Na, K, Cl, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, urine SG and BOHB if indicated.

• EDTA
• FL
• PC

• 1ml in each tube

• 4 hours

• Request test.
• Total T4 can be included.

FP3 includes CBC, ALT, ALP, GGT, urea, creatinine, glucose, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin, Na, K, urine SG.

• FL
• PC

• 1ml in each tube

• 4 hours

• Request test

The FP5 is the FP2 biochemistry panel, and includes CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, Na, K, Cl, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, urine SG and BOHB if indicated.

• Urine
  PLUS
• LH or PC blood
• It is suggested that the urine sample be obtained first and then the blood collected as it is best if the samples are collected close together.

• EDTA blood
• FL blood
• CIT blood

• 1 mL whole blood

• Approximately 4 hours after arrival at the laboratory.

• Request test (FCR or FER)
• It is essential to specify which analyte you wish to test for.

• Fractional clearance ratios are an indication of the proportion of an analyte that is presented to the kidneys that ends up in the urine.
• This is most often done for Na, K, Cl, Ca and P.

• PC

• EDTA
• LH
• FL

• 2ml whole blood

• 4 hours

• Request free T4

• Free T4 can now be run in house at Vetpath using a method that correlates with Equilibrium Dialysis.

• PC 

• EDTA
• LH

• 2 mL whole blood (requires 200 uL of serum)

• Allow up to 3 weeks

• Request test (must be specifically free T4, not total T4)

• PC
• LH
• EDTA
• Samples must be less than 24 hours old.

• CIT
• FL

• 2 ml whole blood

• 4 hours

• Request test

• Is an indication of blood glucose over the previous 2-3 weeks and can be used to either distinguish between transient and persistent hyperglycaemia, or to monitor diabetic patients.
• In cats it is not increased until the blood glucose is >16-20 mmol/L. 
• Samples degradation occurs with time, and measurement of fructosamine must occur within 24 hours of collection.

• Hairs
• Tissue

• Very small samples are less likely to yield a positive culture

• 1 to 4 weeks depending on when/if fungus grows

• Request test (fungal culture)
• KOH micro & fungal culture

• Cultures are examined weekly for up to 4 weeks.

• Existing fungal culture

• Approximately 10 working days

• Minimum 10 working days

• Fungal identification (this is usually after a positive fungal culture result has been reported)

• Hairs
• Skin scrape

• Very small samples are less likely to yield a positive result.

• 4 hours

• Request test (KOH)
• KOH micro & fungal culture

• The sensitivity of KOH microscopy is not as high as culture and a negative result does not rule out dermatophyte infection.