Lab Divisions and Available Testing
(see also Searchable test directory and Grant/manuscript information)
- Hematology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Cytology
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Referral and Send Out Testing
- Immunodiagnostics and Disease Surveillance
- Facilities and Sanitation Testing
Hematology:
- A full complete blood count (CBC) in mammalian species includes all analytes listed below:
- (Automated portion): RBC count, hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean RBC volume (MCV), mean RBC hemoglobin content (MCH), mean RBC hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RBC distribution width (RDW), reticulocyte percentage and absolute count, WBC count, WBC differential (some species), platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet-crit (PCT).
(Manual portion): Blood smear preparation and review, evaluation for morphologic abnormalities and microorganisms, WBC differential (some species), review by clinical pathologist if indicated.
Additional hematology testing/reporting is available upon request for some species and includes:
Immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF)
RBC hemoglobin content (RBC-He)
Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret-He)
Platelet distribution width (PDW)
Percentage of large platelets (P-LCR)
Other hematology tests, including crossmatching and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, are also available.
Hematology of non-mammalian species can be performed. A full CBC generally includes a spun packed cell volume (PCV; comparable to the hematocrit); hemacytometer quantification of RBCs, WBCs and thrombocytes; and blood smear preparation and evaluation including WBC differential counting. Please contact our lab at least one week prior to sample submission to discuss non-mammalian testing.
Clinical Chemistry:
Please see our list of in-house chemistry test parameters in the volume handout here. Many more analytes are available as send-out tests as well. Please see the send-out testing section below, and contact us if you have a specific testing need.
Cytology, fluid and urine analysis:
Body fluid analysis includes: automated RBC count and total WBC count; preparation of direct smears plus sediment and/or cytocentrifuged smears as indicated by automated analysis; and evaluation of stained smears by clinical pathologist.
Bone marrow evaluation includes: staining of submitted air-dried bone marrow smears, or preparation of direct smears from submitted liquid marrow samples (in EDTA; please contact us for more information). Smears are evaluated by a clinical pathologist in tandem with current CBC findings, so please also submit a fresh hematology sample for CBC or a recent CBC report.
Urinalysis includes: urine specific gravity (USG) by refractometer; dipstick chemical testing for glucose, ketones, protein, pH, intact and hemolyzed blood, and bilirubin; and urine sediment evaluation by a medical technologist. Reportable findings on sediment evaluation are: WBCs, RBCs, casts, crystals, microorganisms and sperm. Please note the method of collection on the submission form.
Microbiology and Parasitology:
Microbiology:
In-house microbiology is currently confined to rodent disease surveillance testing. Other microbiology samples are sent out to a referral diagnostic laboratory. We hope to soon expand our traditional microbiology services offered in-house.
Parasitology:
In-house parasitology testing includes microscopic examination of: skin scrapes and hair pluck samples for ectoparasites, perineal tape tests for pinworm ova, and fecal direct and flotation specimens for ova and protozoal parasites. Samples are sent out as needed for additional testing including special stains and parasite identification.
Referral and send-out testing:
Referral laboratory and send-out testing is available for a range of species and analytes:
Common send-out PCR tests |
Other common send-out tests: |
Amphibian Pathogens |
Aldosterone |
Avian Pathogens |
Allergy panels |
Beta-Streptococcus |
Beta HCG |
Biological Materials Panels |
Bile Acid |
Brachyospira |
BNP |
Corynebacterium bovis |
Coagulation |
Ectoparasite |
Cortisol |
Ectromelia |
Cyclosporine |
Hantavirus |
Epinephrine |
Helicobacter |
Estridiol |
Hepatitis A, B, C |
Ferritin |
Hantavirus |
Fluoxetine (Prozac) |
Klebsiella |
Free Fatty Acid |
KRV |
Fructosamine |
Lawsonia |
Haptoglobin |
LCMV |
HCG (tumor marker) |
LDV |
Hemoglobin A1C |
MAV |
Herpes B |
MCMV |
Homocysteine |
MHV |
Insulin |
MNV |
Iron panel |
MPV (MPV, MVM) |
Ketones |
MTLV |
Lactate |
Mycoplasma |
Leptin |
Pasteurella pneumotropica |
Methotrexate |
Pinworm |
Monkey Pathogens |
Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
|
Polyoma |
Myoglobin |
PRIA (enteric, prevalent, |
Osmolality, serum |
PVM |
Parasite ID |
RCV/SDA |
Phenobarbital |
RPV (RPV, RMV, H-1, KRV) |
Tacrolimus |
Salmonella |
Testosterone |
Sendai |
Thyroglobulin |
Shigella |
Progesterone |
Streptobacillus |
Prolactin |
TMEV |
Selenium |
|
Thyroid Testing |
TNF alpha |
|
Transferrin |
|
Trichrome stains |
|
TSH |
|
Vitamin (B6, B12, D, E) |
Immunodiagnostics and disease surveillance:
Serology (animal health surveillance via antibody testing) by multiple methodologies, including ELISA and MFIA (multiplex fluorescent immunoassay). Common in-house testing includes:
Mouse: infectious disease profiles and individual agents (MFIA & ELISA)
Rat: infectious disease profiles and individual agents (MFIA & ELISA)
Hamster: individual agent testing (ELISA)
Guinea Pig: individual agent testing (ELISA)
Non-human primates: TB testing (note that herpes B is a send-out test)
Other testing:
Mouse allergen testing for Mus M1 (allergenic urine protein) (ELISA)
E. histolytica antigen testing
Facilities and sanitation testing:
Sterility Testing: The Charm novaLUM is an ATP detection system used to monitor cleaning effectiveness of sanitation programs. The novaLUM utilizes a technologically advanced photomultiplier tube (PMT) that is more sensitive to ATP (adenosine triphosphate) presence allowing detection of lower levels of microbial and organic matter contamination.
Heterotrophic Plate Count: The HPC test (or Standard Plate Count), applied in many variants, is widely used to measure the heterotrophic microorganism population in drinking-water and other media. Heterotrophs are organisms including bacteria, yeasts and molds that require an external source of organic carbon for growth.
Autoclave testing: Biological Indicators for steam sterilization of both liquid and solid/hard materials are used. Testing method is AAMI/ISO Compliant.
Aquatic Water Testing is available in-house and includes the following analytes: pH, Conductivity, Temperature, Nitrite, Nitrate, Dissolved Oxygen, Chlorine, Monochloramine, Total and Free Chlorine, Ammonia, Hardness, Alkalinity, Copper.
