a. For samples arriving after this time, finalized results may not be available until the next business day.

Samples received on Saturday may not receive Pathologist Interpretation until the next business day. Priority will be given to cytology samples received prior to 1:00 P.M.

Endocrine/Drug testing
a. Do not use SST tubes for sample collection if requesting endocrine (thyroid, cortisol) or drug (Phenobarb, Potassium Bromide) tests. SST tubes have not been validated for use in Veterinary practice.

Coagulation Submissions
a. Include a normal animal sample (same species as patient) with each submission.
b. Centrifuge sample within 4 hours of collection and transfer plasma to a plastic tube or a plastic syringe. Freeze sample before shipping.
c. Do not transfer plasma to a glass tube or a red top tube. Red top tubes can contain a clot activator, which is NOT acceptable for plasma samples for coagulation testing.

CBC Submissions
a. EDTA tubes MUST be 2/3rds full as incorrect Whole Blood/EDTA ratio can cause incongruent results for RBC parameters.
b. Blood smears must be submitted with overnight sample(s).
c. Protect EDTA tube from freezing when shipping samples in cold weather.
d. EDTA and blood smears will not be tested if clots are present in the EDTA tube.

Combination Tests
a. All samples must be received at the same time in order for combination pricing to apply; this includes the urine sample (“to follow” urines are no longer accepted). A new submission form must accompany every add-on sample/test request.

Cytology Submissions
a. Slides and tubes must be clearly labeled with patient ID, site ID and date of collection.
b. All sites must be submitted at the same time from the same animal to get discount pricing.
c. Turn-around-time is 24 hours.
d. “STAT” Cytology Submissions must arrive in the lab before 3:30 P.M. Monday through Friday and before 1:00 P.M. Saturday in order to receive same day finalized results. Submissions received after 3:30 P.M. Monday to Friday or 1:00 P.M. Saturday will be finalized the next business day.
e. There is a $7.44 charge for each slide above the maximum 8 slides per site for Cytology Smears/Imprints and the 8 slides maximum for Multiple Lymph Nodes.
f. Cytology Fluids – 1 fluid see Cytology – Fluid 1 tube of fluid. Discounts apply when submitting multiple tubes of fluid – see Cytology – Fluids (per tube).
g. Cytology Smears – 1 site – see Cytology – Smears or Imprints. Discounts apply to 2 or more sites – see Cytology – Smears or Imprints (per site).
h. Cytology – Multiple Lymph Nodes (>2 sites) is test selection when submitting more than 2 lymph node sites. If submitting less than 3 lymph nodes sites, see the appropriate Cytology – Smears or Imprints for pricing.

Cytology Resubmission Smears may be submitted following a non-diagnostic sample. Samples must be submitted within 2 weeks of the original submission and the original PDS case number must be quoted on the new submission form. An additional charge will apply - see Cytology Smears or Imprints in the Tests section of this guide.

Urinalysis vs. Urine Cytology
a. Urinalysis includes the urine strip, specific gravity, sediment, and Clinical Pathologist interpretation. If the technologist sees what may be abnormal cells in the sediment a cytospin smear of the sediment will be prepared and a Technical Comment will appear on the report. Add-on Urine Cytology can by requested by emailing dso@usask.ca with the PDS report number and an addon request (a submission form, or email indicating add-on test, is required to add on the cytology). An additional charge will apply – see Urinalysis – Complete in the Tests section of this guide.
b. “Urine Cytology” includes a Complete Urinalysis, cytocentrifuge preparation slide and Clinical Pathologist interpretation of cytocentrifuge slide.

To add tests to a previous submission email dso@usask.ca with the PDS number and the add on request.