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PARASITOLOGY
TEST NAME/DESCRIPTION | SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS | TURN AROUND | SPECIAL NOTES |
0532 FECAL DIRECT & FECAL FLOAT Evaluation of feces for ova, parasites, flagellates and bacteria. |
Submit fecal sample in tightly capped tube with 1-2 drops of normal saline to prevent drying. | Same Day | Sample collected in early morning will yield the most productive results on fecal testing. |
0985 FECAL DIRECT, FLOAT & TRICHROME | 1 fecal sample in 1-2 drops of normal saline. 1 fecal sample placed in PVA tube. Mix thoroughly. |
Same Day | For best Fecal Trichrome results, collect sample in the early morning and place immediately in PVA tube. |
0130 ACID FAST FOR TB & CRYPTOSPORIDIA Acid fast stain for detection of Mycobacteria and Cryptosporidia. Fecal smears may be used to monitor or detect tuberculosis cases. |
Any impression smears of suspect tissues or body fluids (Please specify origin) | 24 – 48 Hrs | For fecal testing, always send moist feces in atransfer bullet or other container. Do not premake smears. |
![]() Includes Fecal direct, fecal float, fecal trichrome & acid fast stain. |
1 fecal sample in 1-2 drops of normal saline. 1 fecal sample in PVA tube. Mix thoroughly. | Same Day | Good check for Giardia, Trichomonas, Ova, Parasites, T.B.,Cryptosporidia, yeast, bacterial population, etc. |
![]() Technique used for the detection of giardia, ova trichomonas, yeast, etc. |
Please submit feces mixed thoroughly in the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) tubes supplied. | Same Day | Best samples are taken first thing in the morning and placed in PVA immediately. |
![]() Screen for blood parasites & inclusion body disease. |
2 blood smears or coverslips 1 Hct. tube of whole blood |
Same Day | Inclusion bodies are mostly found in Boa’s and Pythons |
0500 URINALYSIS Includes standard urine readings and sediment check with preparation geared especially for exotic samples. Unlike mammalian urine testing, exotic urine samples remain stable for longer periods of time and do not require special preservative or media for sending. |
Please submit urine samples in tightly capped urine tubes (non-breakable). Collect urine with as little fecal contamination as possible. | Same Day | Components found in the urine of exotic pet species will retain their integrity much longer than mammal samples. |
IFA TESTING
TEST NAME/DESCRIPTION | SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS | TURN AROUND | SPECIAL NOTES |
0983 GIARDIA / CRYPTO IFA | Recommended sample is feces in formulin or a fecal culturette. (non-gel swab) | 24 – 48 hrs | PVA samples are not suitable. |
CELL & TISSUE DIAGNOSTICS
TEST NAME/DESCRIPTION | SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS | TURN AROUND | SPECIAL NOTES |
0323 CHLAMYDIA Cytology Test for detection of chlamydia in tissues, flushes or chosen site. | Submit impression smears of tissues or cytology smears of discharge or flushes. | Same Day | Sending multiple smears will be helpful if additional stains or evaluation is needed. |
0129 CYTOLOGY | Pre-made cytology smears and/or fluid aspirates. (Fluid sample, when available, should always be sent) | 24 – 72 hrs | Cytology turnaround time may extend if secondary evaluation by pathologist is necessary. |
0501 FLUID ANALYSIS | Fluids (flushes, washes, aspirates, etc.) in sterile RTT or tightly capped containers. When using vacutainers, please send in syringe casings to prevent breakage | 72 hrs | Cytology turnaround time may extend if secondary evaluation by pathologist is necessary. |
0337 HISTOPATH/ FEATHER BIOPSY | Submit desired tissues in formalin. Sending whole carcasses is discouraged as failure of overnight courier may result in complete loss due to autolysis of the tissues. | 4 – 6 working days | It is critical to include the Bursa Fabricus in case of Birds less than1 year old. |
Directions For Sending Necropsy’s:
- Bodies of embryos, nestlings, small adult birds (canaries, finches, etc), fish, and amphibians are subject to rapid tissue autolysis. For best results these animals should be submitted whole in formalin directly to the pathologist.
- A money-saving tip for whole animal submissions in formalin: Since liquids are heavy and add to shipping costs, thoroughly fix the specimen overnight in an adequate amount of formalin, then ship it in a minimal amount. (Especially important for weekends & holidays)
- When submitting an entire small animal in formalin, open the body cavity and the skull to ensure adequate fixation of the tissues.
- Do not put large samples in narrow-mouth containers. Formalin fixation causes samples to become less flexible and they are very difficult to remove from the container later.
- Please don’t drop large masses on top of your small, fragile tissue samples. Place smaller samples in a red top blood collection tube (filled with formalin). Always label your formalin containers! Small body necropsys in formalin jars can be sent via Avian & Exotic. Larger necropsy’s must be sent directly to Dr. Reavill for processing. Call lab for instructions.
Table 1. Tissues to submit to rule-out suspected diseases in pet birds
Adenovirus | Kidney, pancreas, liver |
Atoxoplasma | Spleen, intestines |
Chlamydophila psittaci | Liver, spleen, kidney, lung and airsacs |
Circovirus | Bursa of Fabricius, feather and skin, Bone marrow |
Cockatiel ‘lock jaw’ syndrome | The entire head |
Herpesvirus (Pacheco’s) | Liver |
Megabacteria | Isthmus of the proventriculus and ventriculus |
Microsporidia | Kidney, liver |
Paramyxovirus | Brain, middle and inner ear (the entire head), pancreas |
Polyomavirus | Spleen, liver, bursa of Fabricius, feather and skin |
Proventricular Dilatation Disease | Multiple sections of gastrointestinal tract, adrenal gland, central or peripheral nervous system |
Sarcocystis | Lung, heart, skeletal muscle |
Vitamin D toxicity | Kidney, proventriculus |
West Nile virus | Brain, heart, spleen, pancreas |
Table 2. Diseases with no gross lesions and sudden death in pet birds
Organ System | Disease |
Adrenal glands | Proventricular Dilatation Disease Interrenal cell vacuolization of African Greys |
Central Nervous System | Trauma Paramyxovirus Yolk emboliThrombosis West Nile virus Neoplasm of the CNS |
Heart | Bacterial myocarditis Polyomavirus Vit. E/Selenium deficiencyProvent. Dilatation Disease Paramyxovirus AtherosclerosisWest Nile virus |
Liver | Herpesvirus Polyomavirus |
Pancreas | Acute pancreatitis/necrosis of Quaker parakeet |
Parathyroid glands | Neoplasia or hyperplasia in African greys |
Respiratory | Acute blockage of the trachea/syrinx Acute allergic pneumonitis Inhaled toxin |
Thyroid gland | Lymphocytic thyroiditis of African Grey Parrots Juvenile Macaw Thyroid hyperplasia |
Modified from Reavill D. Avian necropsy procedures and common findings. Proc MASAAV, 1997 and Reavill D. Tissue selection for avian necropsies. Exotic DVM. 2000;2(1):9.