Tests
Standard Necropsy
Includes post-mortem examination, histopathology, culture of up to 3 tissues (at the pathologist’s discretion) and carcass disposal of one animal. The cost of other ancillary testing is not included. The case pathologist will contact the referring veterinarian before proceeding with testing that would incur additional expense. Cosmetic necropsy is not offered. TAT is 5-10 business days, a gross report will be issued within 1 business day of the post-mortem examination.
Additional animals from the same owner/producer, age group and clinical syndrome submitted within 1 business day of each other will be examined at a reduced fee.
Fetal Necropsy
Includes post-mortem examination of up to 3 fetuses/event, histopathology, culture of up to 3 tissues (at the pathologist’s discretion) and carcass disposal. The cost of other ancillary testing is not included. The case pathologist will contact the referring veterinarian before proceeding with testing that would incur additional expense. TAT is 5-10 business days, a gross report will be issued within 1 business day of the post-mortem examination.
Field Necropsy
This fee includes histopathology and culture for up to 3 tissues (at the pathologist’s discretion) for 1 animal. The cost of other ancillary testing is not included. The case pathologist will contact the referring veterinarian before proceeding with testing that would incur additional expense. Submissions must include post-mortem findings and list of differentials to direct testing. Digital photographs are encouraged. TAT is 3-5 business days.
Biopsy
Includes histopathology and special histochemical stains for one or multiple sites for 1 animal. The cost of immunohistochemistry is not included. TAT is 2-4 business days.
Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity
This includes aerobic and anaerobic culture plus susceptibility testing for one organism when possible and appropriate, not all organisms isolated will contribute to a disease process. Includes a direct smear examination when appropriate. TAT is 2 – 5 business days.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
For additional susceptibility testing of a significant organism isolated from a sample. TAT is 1 – 3 business days.
Fungal Culture
Includes culture and direct examination. TAT is 5 – 15 business days.
Serology
Includes testing of serum samples for viral disease by ELISA. Preferred sample is serum. If whole blood is submitted, additional processing fees will apply. TAT 5-7 business days.
Avian tests: Avian Encephalomyelitis (AE), Avian Metapneumovirus (AMPV), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), and Avian Reovirus (REO).
Ruminant tests: Johne's Disease, Bovine Leukemia Virus, Neospora caninum, Small Ruminant Lentiviruses
Parasitology
Currently accepting bovine and small ruminant fecal samples only. Includes analysis of fecal samples for the identification and/or quantification of gastrointestinal parasites. Fresh samples from individual animals are preferred. See sample submission guidelines for more details. TAT is 3-5 business days.
Centrifugal Fecal Flotation: general fecal evaluation to identify parasitic infections (e.g., eggs, larvae, or detectable protozoan forms) in animals. Results are reported as the types of parasites and parasite stage identified or as "No Parasites Identified."
Fecal Egg Counting (Wisconsin or McMaster's): This test estimates the number of parasitic components (eggs and protozoan cysts) per gram of feces. Results include the type of parasites identified and the egg count per gram of feces, or "No Parasites Identified." If the sample is deemed inappropriate for egg counting due to low volume or abnormal consistency, it will be processed using the centrifugal fecal flotation method instead.
Fecal Egg Count - Pooled Samples (McMaster’s): This test is for monitoring the herd burden of parasitic infection. Samples will be pooled in the lab.
Cytology
The DSU Cytology Service is closed until further notice.
Includes the examination and interpretation of fine-needle aspirates, impression smears, blood smears, urine sediment, fluid samples (joint taps, transtracheal wash, bronchoalveolar lavage, body cavity effusions) and bone marrow. TAT is 1 - 3 business days.
Notes: CSF is not accepted. Samples for full biochemistry, CBC, or urinalysis are not accepted. TAT may be longer in the Summer.
Legal Cases
Additional fee for Legal Cases, please contact the DSU prior to submission for further information. Legal cases TAT vary, reports will be issued when case is finalized. Written permission from the submitting veterinarian or legal designate involved is required to release remains for cremation.
Cremation
In most cases an animal can be released for cremation. Exceptions include animals diagnosed with Risk Group 3 or certain zoonotic diseases. Remains will only be released on direction of the pathologist following finalization of the report which can take several weeks. Release for cremation may be significantly delayed in legal cases. For biosecurity reasons the DSU is unable to release remains directly to owners, remains can only be released to a cremation service.
Alberta Supported Livestock Diagnostics
FAQs
In partnership with the Government of Alberta, UCVM’s Diagnostic Services Unit is excited to announce the continuation and ongoing expansion of livestock diagnostic capacity in Alberta. This funding will support livestock services until March 2025. AB-supported services will provide affordable, accurate, in-province, livestock diagnostics to rapidly identify endemic, zoonotic, emerging or exotic diseases and shed light on antimicrobial resistance patterns.
The impacts of AB-supported livestock diagnostics include more timely diagnoses improving animal health and welfare, protection of public health and food safety, market access, enhanced consumer confidence and the creation of educational material to train future veterinarians in Alberta.
This funding supports the continued expansion of in-province veterinary diagnostics in Alberta, protecting animal health and welfare, food safety, market access, and public health.
The DSU offers necropsy or post-mortem examination of whole bodies, examination of tissues from field post-mortems, surgical pathology, serology, cytology, and clinical bacteriology. Additional tests required to reach a diagnosis are sent out to other accredited veterinary diagnostic labs.
Diagnostics determine the cause of death or disease in an animal or group of animals and inform management and treatment decisions for the remainder of the herd/flock, limiting economic losses. For example, bacterial culture and sensitivity guides veterinarians in determining the medical need for antibiotics, preventing their misuse and overuse - contributing factors to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Diagnostics also identify changing disease trends, zoonoses, emerging diseases, and exotic diseases that could threaten market access, food safety or public health.
Yes. This funding provides support for affordable diagnostic services for qualifying livestock species in Alberta. Please speak with your veterinarian regarding pricing.
AB-supported services are limited to livestock in Alberta including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, bison, elk, deer, and commercial and small poultry flocks (non-quota, non-commercial flocks).
Yes! The DSU will continue to accept submissions from all animal species. Submissions from animals not eligible for AB-supported prices will be charged full list price. Please speak with your veterinarian regarding pricing.
No. All diagnostic cases must be submitted by a licensed veterinarian; however, producers are welcome to deliver cases to the DSU following consultation with their veterinarian.
All specimens must be accompanied by a DSU submission form signed by a licensed veterinarian. Samples can be shipped using your courier of choice; couriers deliver to the DSU Monday through Friday (except for holidays) during regular business hours. Do not ship on Fridays or over the weekend. Submissions may also be dropped off, Monday – Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm (except for holidays).
Information on estimated turn-around-times can be found in our test descriptions.
No. Reports are sent to the submitting veterinarian and the veterinarian is responsible for all communication with producers.
No. Billing goes back through the submitting clinic once a case is finalized and not directly to producers.
Yes. The DSU may share anonymized test results for the purpose of disease surveillance, veterinary research, and education. Contact information is only shared with relevant federal and provincial bodies as required by legislation regarding reportable or notifiable diseases of animal or public health in Alberta.
Yes. Under the supervision of veterinary professionals, veterinary students may be involved with diagnostic cases, and diagnostic materials directly support student learning. Diagnostic cases will help to train the next generation of veterinarians in Alberta.