STAT Requests:

1. A $32.00 STAT fee will apply to all STAT requests received anytime during the day.

a. For same day results, STAT samples must arrive in the Clinical Pathology Lab before the following times:

i. Cytology: Monday to Friday before 3:30 P.M.; VMC only - Saturday before 1:00 P.M.

ii. CBC/Chem/UA: Monday to Friday before 5:00 P.M.; VMC only - Saturday before 4:00 P.M.

iii. Progesterone and Cortisol: Monday to Friday before 4:30 P.M.; Saturday submissions will be processed the next business day.

Results:

1. Same day results are available for the majority of the Clinical Pathology tests that arrive at the lab by 2:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.

a. For samples arriving after 2:00 P.M. may not receive finalized results until the next business day.

2. VMC only: Samples received on Saturday may not be interpreted by a Clinical Pathologist until the next business day. Priority will be given to cytology samples received prior to 1:00 P.M.

 

Endocrine/Drug testing

1. Do not use SST tubes for collecting samples for endocrine (thyroid, cortisol) or drug (Phenobarb, Potassium Bromide) tests, as these tubes have not been validated for Veterinary use.

a. Refer to Adrenal Function Testing Protocols for additional information.

 

Coagulation Submissions

1. Include a normal sample form an animal of the same species for all submissions, except Canine, Feline and Equine.

2. Centrifuge the sample within 4 hours of collection and transfer plasma to a plastic tube or plastic syringe. Freeze the sample before shipping.

3. Do not use glass tubes or red top tubes, as they may contain a clot activator, which is NOT acceptable for plasma samples for coagulation testing.

 

CBC Submissions

1. EDTA tubes MUST be filled to 2/3 capacity; incorrect blood-to-EDTA ratio can lead to incongruent results for RBC parameters.

2. Blood smears must be submitted with overnight samples.

3. Protect EDTA tubes from freezing during shipping in cold weather.

4. EDTA and blood smears will not be tested if clots are present in the EDTA tube.

 

Combination Tests

1. All samples must be received at the same time in order for combination pricing to apply, including urine samples. A new submission form is required for every add-on sample/test request.

 

Cytology Submissions

1. Slides and tubes must be clearly labeled with patient ID, site ID and date of collection - refer to Sample Submission Protocols.

2. All sites must be submitted at the same time and must be from the same animal to get discount pricing.

3. Turnaround time for results is 24 hours.

4. STAT Cytology Submissions must arrive in the lab before 3:30 P.M. Monday through Friday and before 1:00 P.M. Saturday (VMC only) to receive same day results. Submissions received after 3:30 P.M. Monday to Friday or 1:00 P.M. Saturday may be finalized the next business day.

5. There is a $8.43 charge for each additional slide above the maximum 4 slides per site for Cytology Smears/Imprints and the 8 maximum for Multiple Lymph Nodes.

6. Cytology Fluids: see Cytology – Fluid 1 tube of fluid. Discounts apply when submitting multiple tubes of fluid – see Cytology – Fluids (per tube).

7. Cytology Smears: see Cytology – Smears or Imprints. Discounts apply to 2 or more sites – see Cytology – Smears or Imprints for the price of multiple sites (e.g. Cytology - Smears or Imprints Price for 2).

8. Cytology – Multiple Lymph Nodes (3 or more sites): select when submitting 3 or more lymph node sites. If submitting less than 3 lymph nodes sites, see the appropriate Cytology - Smears or Imprints (1 or 2 sites) for pricing.

9. Cytology - Joint Smear Combo: includes 1 tube of joint fluid in EDTA (1 mL of sample) and up to 4 smears from the same site as the fluid; plus, up to 4 additional joint sites with smears only (a maximum of 4 air-dried, unstained smears per site).

a. One joint fluid is preferred but if this is not possible joint smears only can be submitted from a maximum of 5 sites.

b. All joint sites must be submitted at the same time from the same animal.

c. Extra charges ($8.43 per slide) will apply if more than 4 slides are submitted per site.

d. If submitting more than 5 sites, see Cytology - Smears or Imprints for additional charges per site.

a. Submit a red top tube if culture is required, additional charges will apply.

10. 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 - resubmission price is listed under Cytology Smears or Imprints sample comments.

 

Urinalysis - Complete vs. Urine Cytology

1. Urinalysis - Complete: includes the urine strip, specific gravity, sediment, and Clinical Pathologist interpretation. It does not include a Clinical Pathologist review of the urine sediment cytocentrifuge slide.

a. If the technologist sees what may be abnormal cells in the sediment a cytocentrifuge slide of the sediment will be prepared and a Technical Comment will appear on the report. Contact PDS to request a Clinical Pathologist review of the cytocentrifuge slide (Add-on Urine Cytology). An additional charge will apply - Add-on price is listed under Urinalysis - Complete sample comments.

i. Add-on Urine Cytology can by requested by emailing dso@usask.ca with the PDS report number and an add-on request (a submission form, or an email indicating add-on test is required to add on the cytology).

2. Urine Cytology: includes a Urinalysis - Complete and Urine Cytology (Clinical Pathologist review of the urine sediment cytocentrifuge slide).

 

For additional Clinical Pathology Information refer to the Clinical Pathology Protocol Manual. This manual is available to download and print.

 

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