IDEXX Reference Laboratories
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IDEXX clinical pathology services
Faster turnaround means faster treatment.
IDEXX cytology services are designed to provide accurate, timely results when you need them to make confident treatment decisions.
- Largest global network of veterinary clinical pathologists, offering their expertise to support you in making clinical decisions.
- Integrated, comprehensive reports with images.
- Comprehensive cytology educational resources.
Comprehensive testing services to cover even your most time-sensitive cases.
Results in 1–4 days (Monday–Friday)
- Quick, reliable turnaround for your nonemergency cases
- Personalized guidance from our team of expert pathologists
Test codes
CYTO1: 1 site/lesion
CYTO2: 2 sites/lesions
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.co.uk for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
1–4 days (Monday–Friday)
- Personalised guidance from our team of expert pathologists
Test codes
LNAS: Lymph Node Cytology – Lymph Node Aspirate
LNCY1–LNCY5: Lymph node aspirate and fine needle aspirates from 1-5 additional masses
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.co.uk for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 2–3 days (Monday–Friday)
- A concurrent full blood count result (within 24–48 hours of marrow collection) is required for complete interpretation and clinical commentary.
Test code
BMEX: Bone marrow cytology
BMEXH: Bone marrow cytology with bone marrow histology
Results in 1–4 days (Monday–Friday)
Test codes
BCFLD: 1 site
BCFLD2: 2 sites
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.co.uk for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 1–4 days (Monday–Friday)
Test codes
SYNO: 1 site
SYNO2: 2 sites
SYN2: Extended Culture with Synovial Fluid Cytology
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.co.uk for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday)
Test code
CSF: 1 site
CSF2: 2 sites
Results in 1–4 days (Monday–Friday)
Test code
WASH: 1 site
WASH2: 2 sites
Featured case
Swollen lymph node diagnosis.
A 14-year-old male Yorkshire terrier named Charlie presented with a firm swelling under the jaw and decreased appetite. Samples were collected for an IDEXX CBC-Select, serum chemistry including an IDEXX SDMA Test, total T4, complete urinalysis, and Lab 4Dx Plus Test. Fine needle aspirates were collected from the prescapular, axillary, inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes, as well as the left mandibular lymph node. Slides were prepared from the aspirates, and all samples were submitted to IDEXX Reference Laboratories. Diagnostics revealed mild nonregenerative anemia, mild neutrophilia, monocytosis, eosinopenia, increased SDMA, ALP, amylase and lipase levels, and decreased albumin. Charlie was diagnosed with multicentric large cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer. The client declined further diagnostic testing and opted for palliative treatment with prednisone until euthanasia is chosen.
Practice support and pathology resources
Pathology submission guidelines
Accurate and timely cytology results start with good quality slides
Best practices on how to make, prepare and pick the best slides for submission.
Always remember to:
- Label each slide with the patient name, date, source and preparation technique.
- Keep 1–2 unstained slides to use if the pathologist recommends additional testing.
Read more about how to prepare slides
Accurate and timely cytology results start with good quality slides
Fine needle aspiration and nonaspiration
- Use for skin/subcutaneous masses, lymph nodes and internal organs.
- Select the technique best suited for the tissue to avoid cell lysis or excessive blood.
- Use 22-gauge needles, which work well for most tissue types.
Blood films
- Use fresh, well-mixed anticoagulated blood to avoid sample deterioration.
- Maintain an approximate 30° angle between the spreader and sample slide throughout.
- Spread the sample in one smooth, steady motion.
Line smears
- Use for body cavity effusions, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)/tracheal lavage and joint fluid.
- Include a direct smear; use an additional line smear for samples with low cellularity or suspected infectious agents. If needed, use a squash prep for flocculent material.
- Submit a buffy coat and a direct film for samples with large blood content.
Urine sediment
- Use 5 ml of fresh, well-mixed, centrifuged urine (set centrifuge to urine/400 x g).
- Maintain an approximate 30°–40° angle between the spreader and sample slide.
- Spread the sample halfway down the slide; stop abruptly to create a line.
Always remember to:
- Follow the recommended stain times.
- Check slides to see if additional staining is required.
- Replace stains as needed to prevent stain precipitate.
Step 1. Dip in fixative
Step 2. Dip in eosinophilic stain
Step 3. Dip in basophilic stain
Step 4. Dip in water
Step 5. Dip in water
IDEXX Learning Center education
Choosing the Best Slides to Submit for Pathology Review
Getting the Most Out of Your Cytology Pathology Submissions
Cytology Techniques
FAQs
- Leverage resources through the IDEXX Learning Centre to help your staff with optimal slide preparation to ensure they are able to prepare and select the best slides. This will not only save you time but also ensure we can provide you with timely and accurate results.
- Providing more clinical details on the request form will also assist the pathologist in providing the most accurate diagnosis for the patient and the pet owner. Please refer to the Directory of Tests and Services for sample submission guidelines.
- We encourage practices to reach out to the pathologist to discuss their cases. The pathologist’s direct contact information is provided on the result report.
Pathology consultation services are complimentary for IDEXX customers, even before a sample is submitted. We encourage practices to reach out to the pathologist to discuss their cases. The pathologist’s direct contact information is provided on the result report.
Images are captured by the pathologist using a scope camera for glass slides and digital image capture software on digitised slides. IDEXX provides an image in both clinical and anatomic pathology reports at no additional charge to the customer exclusively via VetConnect PLUS, including the VetConnect PLUS mobile app, for a more comprehensive report. Reports with images in VetConnect PLUS are printable and can be shared.
Support
Documents and other resources
Access IDEXX Reference Laboratories
sample guidelines, IDEXX Online Orders and educational resources.
Tests and Services
Browse our tests and services to see a comprehensive list of offerings from IDEXX Reference Laboratories and save them to VetConnect PLUS so you can easily access them anytime.
IDEXX Reference Laboratories Support
We support your practice with our customer support, technical support, and medical consulting services team, including our diagnostic support veterinary surgeons and board-certified veterinary specialists.
Call us at 02037 887-508
Monday through Friday: 08:30–17:00
Saturday: 09:00–13:00
Learn more about a specific product or service.
A representative will help you every step of the way.
IDEXX Reference Laboratories
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Note: There may be times where weather or operational considerations cause delays in providing test results. When this happens, we will inform you as quickly as possible with the most complete information available.