DWR Diagnostics Laboratory

Clinical Chemistry

Test name Test details Sample requirement Test code Turnaround time

a1AGP

a-1 acid glycoprotein (an acute phase protein used in cats)

1 ml serum or heparin plasma

A1AG

3 days

BHB

Betahydroxbutyrate

Serum gel

BHB

Same day

Bile acid stimulation test

Bile acids (single)

Pre- and post-prandial bile acids (see below for protocol)

0.5 ml serum pre and post prandially

BAST

BA

Same day

Single resting bile acids

B12

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

Serum gel

(starved sample)

B12

Same day

B12 and folate

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folate

Serum gel or heparin (starved sample)

BFOL

Same day

B12, folate and TLI (dogs)

Useful in investigation of chronic diarrhoea

Serum gel (starved sample)

IDPC

Same day

B12, folate and TLI (cats)

Useful in investigation of chronic diarrhoea

Serum gel (starved sample)

IDPF

Same day, TLI up to 7 days

CRP

C-reactive protein (an acute phase protein used in dogs)

Serum

CRP

Same day

Electrolyte screen

Sodium, potassium, chloride, sodium:potassium ratio

Serum gel

ELEC

Same day

Electrophoresis

Serum protein electrophoresis

Serum gel

SPE

3 days

Urine protein electrophoresis

Plain urine

UPE

Fractional excretion of electrolytes

Fractional excretion of Na, K, Ca, Cl

Serum gel, plain urine

FE specify electrolyte

Same day

Fructosamine

Reflects glucose concentration for previous 2-3 weeks

Serum gel

FRUC

Same day

Individual routine biochemical tests

Please specify individual biochemical analytes

Serum gel or heparin plasma (oxalate)

Specify test name

Same day

Ionised calcium

Sample handling requirements please see below

Heparin plasma

ICA

Same day

Lead

Blood lead levels for cases of suspected lead poisoning

0.5 ml EDTA

LEAD

4–6 days

PLI canine (pancreatic lipase)

Canine pancreatic lipase snap test

Serum gel

PLIS

Same day

2 days

Quantitative canine PLI

CPLI

PLI feline (pancreatic lipase)

Feline pancreatic lipase snap test

Serum gel

FPLS

Same day

2 days

Quantitative feline pancreatic lipase

FPLI

Pro-BNP

Marker of cardiac failure

Separated frozen EDTA plasma

BNP

4 days

SDMA

Biomarker used in assessing renal function

Serum (not gel)

SDMA

3 days

Troponin I

Marker of myocyte damage

Serum (not gel)

TROP

4 days

TLI canine

Canine trypsin-like immunoassay

Serum gel (starved sample)

CTLI

Same day

TLI feline

Feline trypsin-like immunoassay

Serum gel (starved sample)

FTLI

Up to 7 days

Urine PC ratio

Urine protein:creatinine ratio

Plain urine

UPC

Same day

Ionised calcium: Handling these samples is very important. Take 3mls of heparin blood, then immediately separate the plasma and place in a plain tube filled to the top with no air space. Label as heparin plasma

Bile acid stimulation test

  1. Starve the patient for 12h.
  2. Collect 1–2 ml blood into a serum gel tube.
  3. Feed a small amount – ideally puppy/kitten food. If the patient is not eating, liquidise the food and give by syringe.
  4. Collect a second sample 2h post feeding, into a serum gel tube.
  5. Label the tube with patient details and time of sampling.