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.
- Local network of veterinary clinical pathologists, offering their expertise to support you in making clinical decisions.
- Comprehensive cytology educational resources.
Comprehensive testing services to cover even your most time-sensitive cases.
Results one day after day of receipt into the laboratory (Monday–Friday)
Test codes:
CYF
MCYF
Results one day after day of receipt into the laboratory (Monday–Friday)
Test codes:
CYINT
MCYINT
Results one day after day of receipt into the laboratory (Monday–Friday)
Test code: CYBM
Results one day after day of receipt into the laboratory (Monday–Friday)
Test code:
CSF
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. Specimens were collected for an IDEXX CBC, serum chemistry including an IDEXX SDMA Test, total T4, complete urinalysis. 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 specimens were submitted to IDEXX Reference Laboratories. Diagnostics revealed mild nonregenerative anaemia, mild neutrophilia, monocytosis, eosinopaenia, 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.
Learn more about IDEXX's pathology submission guidelines in New Zealand.
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.
- Stain and examine one or more slides in-clinic to check the quality of the preparation, cellularity, and cell preservation.
- Remember to submit 3-4 air dried, unstained smears, along with any pre-stained slides.
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 specimen deterioration.
- Maintain an approximate 30° angle between the spreader and specimen slide throughout.
- Spread the specimen 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 specimens 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 specimens 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 specimen slide.
- Spread the specimen halfway down the slide; stop abruptly to create a line.
IDEXX Learning Centre education
Choosing the Best Slides to Submit for Pathology Review
Getting the Most Out of Your Cytology Pathology Submissions
The Differences Between Histology and Cytology
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 see the Pathology Submission Guidelines for complete details.
- 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 specimen 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 for you to contact. Please note, our pathologists will not take calls direct from patient owners, but only from practice employees.
Support
Forms and other resources
Access IDEXX Reference Laboratories additional educational resources.
Tests and Services
Browse our tests and services to see a comprehensive list of offerings from IDEXX Reference Laboratories.
IDEXX Reference Laboratories Support
We support your practice with our customer support, technical support, and medical consulting services team, including our board-certified veterinary specialists.
Call us at 0800 838 522.
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.