AHL LabNote 43b-Reporting of lab test results for food animals

AHL Client Services, May 2018

Normally, the AHL deals directly with Vet-clients.  If you are an Owner-client and have questions about interpretation of your AHL report, or require treatment or health management information, please contact your veterinarian.  If in need of help, your veterinarian is welcome to call us.

The AHL emphasizes involvement of referring veterinarians with respect to test results because of the type of services AHL provides. The AHL does NOT have a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with its clients and does not give treatment recommendations.  Rather, AHL provides specialized testing services which can assist referring veterinarians in their diagnosis.  Specimens may be submitted by Owner-clients ONLY if the name of a licensed veterinarian is provided.  By submitting the name of a licensed veterinarian, Owner-clients consent to the disclosure of the test results to the licensed veterinarian.

The usual flow of events in testing and reporting to a Vet-client on a submission to the AHL is as follows:

1. If a postmortem examination is requested, it is conducted as soon as possible; date and time of the postmortem are recorded.  If urgent, findings of the postmortem examination will be phoned to the referring veterinarian.

2.  Results are faxed/emailed to veterinary clinics as soon as they are verified.  The working days (not including weekends/holidays) required for test results depend upon test methodology and are typically:

a. Gross pathology, 1-3 days e. Mycoplasmology, 2-14 days
b. Parasitology, 1-3 days f. Toxicology, 5-30 days
c. Bacteriology, 3-7 days g. Virology, 2-21 days
d. Histopathology, 3-10 days h. Clinical Pathology, 1-2 days

Extra time will be required for special testing, and for tests done by external labs.

3. Although we cannot always reach a definitive diagnosis, we should be able to rule out several specific causes of disease.  When all tests are complete, a final report is sent to the referring veterinarian.

4. Clients are responsible for the costs of services.  Our general practice is to bill Vet-clients only.  For Owner-clients, we require a deposit for companion animal postmortem services (cash, debit or credit card).  Note:  Credit card numbers will be held on file until the case is finalized so extra charges can be applied.  The current partial payment for companion animals (dogs, cats) and horses is $445 ($480 if private cremation is requested) - average postmortem cost is approximately $500-700 (excluding Toxicology, etc).  Please note that disposal cost for horses is $115.  Pet bird or pocket pet partial payment is $175 - average postmortem cost is approximately $269Additional charges may be added to your invoice.

5. By submitting specimens to the AHL for testing, the submitter acknowledges that s/he is the owner or is a duly authorized agent of the owner.  The submitter acknowledges and agrees that the AHL may share test results and contact information as it deems necessary for the purposes of relevant legislation regarding reportable or notifiable diseases and for the purpose of surveillance of animal or public health in Ontario.

6. Private cremation may be requested at the time of submission.  We do not perform cosmetic postmortems and due to Biosafety requirements, animal remains cannot be returned.  If private cremation is requested, please make arrangements through a private cremation company and advise us immediately.

Note:  A fee of $35.00 applies for handling, storage and return of remains (approximately 1 wk after closure of the case.

Specimens submitted to the University of Guelph, and any information or Intellectual Property identified by or arising

from such specimens, belong to the University unless other arrangements are made in writing at the time of submission.

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