Code Test Description * Indicates send out test   T550 Cryptococcus, Antigen   Specimen 1 ml serum or CSF   Method ELISA   Schedule 1–2 working days   Indication For the detection of Cryptococcal antigen.   Interpretive   Guidelines This test is highly sensitive and specific for cryptococcosis.   Comments A decline in titer of 2–4 fold per month indicates satisfactory response to treatment.   T790 Cryptosporidium & Giardia   Specimen Feces   Method FA   Schedule 2&150;3 working days   Indication To rule out these parasites as a cause of chronic diarrhea.   T350 D-Dimer   Specimen 1 BT or 1 LT   Method Latex agglutination   Schedule Daily   Indication Evaluation of bleeding disorders/investigation of DIC.   Interpretive   Guidelines Increase supports a diagnosis of DIC.   Comments Values of 250–500 mg/dl may be seen in the post-surgical period.   T450 Dexamethasone Suppression Test (Cortisol 3)   Specimen 1 ml serum or heparinized plasma per tube, label tubes pre, 4 and 8 hour   Method RIA   Schedule Daily (M–Sat)   Indication Low-dose Dexamethasone: Test for hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's Syndrome) in dogs, cats and horses. High-dose Dexamethasone: To differentiate pituitary dependent from adrenal tumor hyperadrenocorticism.   Interpretive   Guidelines Low-dose Dex Suppression Test: Normal: Cortisol level less than 1.4 ug/dl 8 hrs post-dex. Adrenal tumor (AT) or Pituitary Dependent (PDH): Crotisol level greater than 1.4 ug/dl 8 hrs post-dex supports PDH. PDH only: Cortisol levels less than 1.0 ug/dl 2–6 hrs post-dex and greater than 1.4 ug/dl 8 hrs post-dex supports PDH.   NOTE Approximately 5% of dogs with PDH have normal results. Alternatevly, false positive results may occur with stress or nonadrenal illness. High-dose Dex Suppression Test: Pituirary Dependent (PDH): Cortisol level <1.4 ug/dl or <50% of baseline cortisol at 4–8 hrs. Adrenal tumor (AT) or Pituitary Dependent (PDH): Crotisol levels >1.4 ug/dl for the 8 ht testing period.   NOTE A small percentage of PDH cases will not supress following a high dose of Dexamethasone.   Special Drawing Instructions:   Canine Low-dose   Dexamethasone   suppression   Test (LDDS): Collect pre-sample; label tube "Pre-Dex". Inject 0.01 mg/kg Dexamethasone IM or IV. Collect 4 and 8 hr samples; label tubes accordingly.   Feline Low-dose   Dexamethasone Test: Collect pre-sample; label tube "Pre-Dex". Inject 0.01 mg/kg Dexamethasone IV. Collect 4 and 8 hr samples; label tubes accordingly.   Canine High-dose   Dexamethasone Test: Collect pre-sample; label tube "Pre-Dex". Inject 0.01 or 1.0 mg/kg Dexamethasone IM or IV. Collect 4 and 8 hr samples; label tubes accordingly.   Feline High-dose   Dexamethasone Test: Collect pre-sample; label tube "Pre-Dex". Inject 1.0 mg/kg Dexamethasone IV. Collect 4 and 8 hr samples; label tubes accordingly.             Please send comments to the webmaster. ©1997-2008 Antech Diagnostics, Inc. Site design and maintenance by amesDesign.