Code Test Description * Indicates send out test   * S1315 Bartonella PCR (Cat Scratch Fever)   Specimen 1 ml LT, send cold   Method PCR   Schedule 5–7 working days   Indication Investigate cats as carriers of Bartonella.   Interpretive   Guidelines A positive test indicates active infection. False negative results may occur due to the low numbers of circulating organisms, but PCR testing is more sensitive than culture.   Comments Bartonella serology can also be used to invertigate Bartonella infection.   T220 Bile Acide, Pre and Post   Specimen 1 ml serum or heparinized plasma (pre and post)   Method Enzymatic   Schedule 1–2 working days   Indication Tests for hepatic insuffeciency or portosystemic shunts.   Interpretive   Guidelines Elevated levels are seen with decreased hepatic function. Steroid hepatopathies may cause mild to moderate elevations. High levels may be seen with portosystemic shunts.   Comments Fast for 12 hours prior to drawing pre- sample. Feed a small fatty meal and draw post 2 hours later. Label tubes accordingly. Occasionally, fasting levels are greater than the post-prandial level. This occurrence may be due to spontaneous gall bladder contraction prior to feeding.   T225 Bile Acids, Resting   Specimen 1 ml serum or heparinizednplasma   Method Enzymatic   Schedule 1–2 working days   Indication May be useful for portosystemic shunts, but pre/post test is recommended.   Interpretive   Guidelines Elevated levels are seen with decreased hepatic function. Steroid hepatopathies may cause mild to moderate elevations. High levels may be seen with portosystemic shunts.   Comments Fast for 12 hours prior to draw. Occasionally, fasting levels are greater than the post-prandial level. This occurrence may be due to spontaneous gall bladder contraction prior to feeding.   T070 Bilirubin, direct   Specimen 1 ml serum or heparinized plasma   Method Van den Bergh & Mueller   Schedule Daily   Indication Evaluation of liver and biliary diseases.   Interpretive   Guidelines Increased levels are seen in biliary disease (including both intrahepatic and extrahepatic lesions) hepatocellular disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis and advanced neoplastic states) and heymolytic disease.   T090 Bilirubin, total   Specimen 1 ml serum or heparinized plasma or LT   Method Colorimetric   Schedule Daily   Indication Liver disorders, post hepatic disease, hemolytic disorders.   Interpretive   Guidelines Elevation may be due to pre-hepatic (hemolytic), intrahepatic (inflammation, infection or neoplasia) or post-hepatic (adhesion, swelling, neoplasia, etc.) causes.   T520 Bladder Tumor antigen (Canine only)   Specimen 2 ml Urine in RT (spin urine, submit supernatant)   Method Latex agglutination   Schedule 1–2 working days   Indication As a screening test to investigate possible transitional cell carcinoma.   Interpretive   Guidelines If the Bladder Tumor antigen (BTA) is negative, then transitionsl cell carcinoma is unlikely (90% sensitivity). Significant pyuria or hematuria, however, may cause false positives (78% specificity). Animals with positive results should be further evaluated (ultrasound, radiographs, cytology, biopsy, etc.) to confirm the presence of neoplasia. Please send comments to the webmaster. ©1997-2008 Antech Diagnostics, Inc. Site design and maintenance by amesDesign.