Research Services

If pathology, histology or bacteriology are an integral part of a research project, researchers are strongly encouraged to contact the DSU to discuss the project prior to submitting a funding request and/or initiating the project. The DSU veterinary professionals can provide guidance on experimental design, the expertise required, time expectations, and an estimated quote. There is no charge for this initial consultation.

The DSU offers additional fee-for-service pathologist/ bacteriologist consultation services to researchers at an hourly rate, if the individual service rates, noted below, are not appropriate. Services include post-mortem examination, histopathology, interpretation of test results, development of grading schemes, and facilitation with experimental design, grant proposals, and publications. The consultation fee is $150.00/hour (minimum $75.00 and charged in 1/2 hour increments thereafter).

The DSU offers fee-for-service routine veterinary histology services to researchers. Techniques available include animal tissue trimming, processing, paraffin embedding, microtome sectioning (4-10 microns), and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. A general processing program has been established for formalin fixed tissues. If tissues are submitted in other fixatives there may be a considerable delay in processing.

Researchers should contact the DSU prior to submitting a grant or initiating a project to arrange a no-charge consultation with a pathologist or the lead histotechnologist to discuss their needs. A pilot test sample may be required. For special stain, contact the DSU.

*  Estimated turnaround times are given in business days.
† A gross report will be issued within 24 hours of the post-mortem exam

UCVM has 2 necropsy rooms that can be made available for researchers: the CSB DSU necropsy room and the Veterinary Sciences Research Station (VSRS) Research necropsy room. The VSRS is a dedicated research necropsy room that accommodates smaller animals (< 200 lbs). This room should be the first choice location used for necropsies or dissections performed by researchers. In the event this room cannot accommodate use, researchers can request access to the CSB DSU necropsy room.

• CSB Necropsy Room Access Request form - please complete the form and return to the dsu@ucalgary.ca

The DSU offers fee-for-service gross pathology services to researchers in 2 capacities: necropsies performed by DSU pathologists and technical support for DSU necropsy room use by researchers. DSU pathologist supported services include standard necropsy and histopathologic examination of tissues from carcasses or from field necropsies. Support for DSU necropsy room use by researchers include basic services such as weighing of carcasses, placement on surfaces, disposal of waste and clean-up, specialized necropsy technical support such as collection of tissues/samples, provision of consumables in some instances, and carcass disposal.

The DSU necropsy area is a Biosafety Level II laboratory and laboratory policies, access requirements, and operational practices are in place to ensure biosecurity, safety of all personnel, and equitable use of the space (see general policies and Necropsy Room Use Agreement) and must be adhered to.

• Necropsy Room Use Agreement - please complete the form and return to the dsu@ucalgary.ca

Standard necropsy fee includes disposal. A disposal fee will be charged for animals not housed at Spyhill Campus and not submitted for standard necropsy. Exceptions may be made when animals are maintained at other UCalgary facilities, but this must be approved in advance.

Note: If an animal dies unexpectedly while being housed at the Spyhill Campus and death is not a potential or expected consequence of the research intervention, then UCVM covers the cost of the necropsy in order to protect the integrity of our research enterprise by identifying underlying infectious disease or management issues. When an animal death is potentially related to the underlying research or teaching intervention and a postmortem is required, the necropsy fee is charged to the appropriate research or teaching account.

The DSU offers fee-for-service routine veterinary bacteriology services to researchers.  Researchers should contact the DSU prior to submitting a grant or initiating a project to arrange a no-charge consultation with a bacteriologist to discuss their needs. 

*  Estimated turnaround times are given in business days.
† A gross report will be issued within 24 hours of the post-mortem exam

The DSU offers fee-for-service cytology services to researchers.  Researchers should contact the DSU prior to submitting a grant or initiating a project to arrange a no-charge consultation with a clinical pathologist to discuss their needs. 

The DSU offers fee-for-service avian and ruminant serology services to researchers.  Researchers should contact the DSU prior to submitting a grant or initiating a project to arrange a no-charge consultation to discuss their needs. 

• Full plate: $2.00 discount off DSU fee guide prices
• Half plate: $1.00 discount off DSU fee guide prices
• Preferred sample is serum. Additional processing fee of $20-$40 if whole blood is submitted (depends on number of samples).

*Please contact the DSU for fee guide