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.
- Choose from IDEXX Digital Cytology in your clinic with whole-slide interpretation in 2 hours or less, or send to IDEXX Reference Laboratories.
- 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 .
Reference lab cytology
Package your specimens and slides and send to IDEXX Reference Laboratories. Choose the result service level you need, priority or standard turnaround time.
IDEXX Digital Cytology
Prepare and scan whole-slide images in your clinic and send directly to IDEXX veterinary clinical pathologists for an interpretation in 2 hours or less.
What's new.
Reference laboratory submissions—Lymph Node Cytology services
- All lymph node submissions will be processed under the new test codes.
There are multiple codes based on your desired turnaround time. Refer to the Directory of Tests and Services and please note which code applies to your submission. - New test codes allow for up to 10 slides to ensure the most appropriate processing of your specimen and allow for the appropriate larger number of slides associated with these cases.
- Includes cytology with microscopic description for one mass or lesion and multiple lymph nodes.
- Priority Lymph Node Cytology: Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday).
- Standard Lymph Node Cytology: Results in 3–5 days (Monday–Friday).
Comprehensive testing services to cover even your most time-sensitive cases.
Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday)
- Faster turnaround for your critical cases
- Personalized guidance from our team of expert pathologists
Test codes
605: 1 Site/Lesion
647: 2 Sites/Lesions
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.com
for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 3–5 days (Monday–Friday)
- Quick, reliable turnaround for your nonemergency cases
- Personalized guidance from our team of expert pathologists
Test codes
2801: 1 Site/Lesion
2802: 2 Sites/Lesions
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.com
for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
2 hours from receipt of images at IDEXX Reference Laboratories—can only be used for digital images submitted via the IDEXX Digital Cytology instrument.
- Faster turnaround for your critical cases.
- Whole-slide interpretation in 2 hours or less, 24/7/365
- Personalized guidance from our team of expert pathologists
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.com for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 3–5 days (Monday–Friday)
- Personalized guidance from our team of expert pathologists
Test codes
606: Lymph Node Cytology—Standard
6061: Lymph Node Cytology with 1 Mass/Lesion—Standard
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.com
for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday)
- Personalized guidance from our team of expert pathologists
Test codes
609: Lymph Node Cytology—Priority
6091: Lymph Node Cytology with 1 Mass/Lesion—Priority
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.com
for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday)
- A concurrent CBC submission or CBC result (within 24–48 hours of marrow collection) is required for complete interpretation and clinical commentary.
Test code 607
Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday)
Test codes
9057: 1 site
9058: 2 sites
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.com
for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday)
Test codes
906: 1 site
9063: 2 sites
See the online Directory of Tests and Services at vetconnectplus.com
for test codes for additional sites/lesions.
Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday)
Test code 900
Results in 1–2 days (Monday–Friday)
Test code 935
*Service and associated turnaround time requires the IDEXX Digital Cytology instrument, which is sold separately.
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-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 specimens 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.
- Save the specimen and keep a digital copy of all stained/submitted slides for 2 weeks.
- 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 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.
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 red stain
Step 3. Dip in blue stain
Step 4. Dip in water
Step 5. Dip in water
For in-depth instruction and CE credit at the IDEXX Learning Center:
Preparing slides reference guide
IDEXX Learning Center 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 Center 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.
Images are captured by the pathologist using a scope camera for glass slides and digital image capture software on digitized 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
specimen guidelines
, IDEXX Online Ordering
, and educational resources
.
Directory of Tests and Services
Browse the online Directory of 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 veterinarians and board-certified veterinary specialists.
Call us at 1-888-433-9987
.
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.