Your Essential Veterinary Laboratory Partner
Pre-Breeding
We provide CEM testing by qPCR and culture, for which we are Vetqas accredited. We are also able to provide testing for EVA, EIA and Strangles by serology, along with culture and cytology of endometrial swabs and fluids. Progesterone testing is available to monitor hormone levels.
Efficient processing of samples is provided, which is paramount for horses going to stud.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
EVA ELISA (with certificate) | 1-2 days | Plain blood sample |
EIA ELISA (with certificate) | 1-2 days | Plain blood sample |
EVA ELISA/ EIA ELISA (with certificate) | 1-2 days | Plain blood sample |
Mare CEM Culture (with certificate) | 7 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal)* |
Stallion CEM Culture x3 (with certificate) | 7 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal)* |
Stallion CEM Culture x4 (with certificate) | 7 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal)* |
Mare Pre-Breeding – Full Culture CEM CULTURE, EVA ELISA, EIA ELISA (with certificate) | 7 days | CEM – Swab (Aimes Charcoal)* EVA/EIA – Plain |
Mare Pre-Breeding – Full qPCR CEM qPCR, EVA ELISA, EIA ELISA (with certificate)
| 1-2 days | CEM – Swab (Aimes Charcoal) EVA/EIA – Plain |
Endometrial Cytology only | Same day | Plain or charcoal swab |
Endometrial Culture (inc.24 hour interim report) | 2 days | Charcoal swab |
Endometrial Culture and Cytology (inc.24 hour interim report) | 2 days | Charcoal swab |
Endometrial Culture, Cytology + CEM Culture (inc.24 hour/48 hour aerobic report) | 7 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal)* |
Mare CEM qPCR (clitoral or endometrial) | 1-2 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal) |
Stallion CEM qPCR x3 Swabs (with certificate) | 1-2 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal) |
Stallion CEM qPCR x4 Swabs (with certificate) | 1-2 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal) |
Equine Progesterone | Same day | Plain |
Oestrone Sulphate (Pregnancy >120 days) | 2-5 days | Plain |
Anti Müllerian Hormone (Cryptorchid/GCT) | 2-5 days | Plain |
Equine Chronic Gonadotrophin (Pregnancy 45-95 days. Not suitable for Donkeys) | 2 days | Plain |
Klebsiella pneumoniae (1,2,5 capsule typing) | 1-2 days | Swab (isolate) |
*Must be received within 48 hours of being taken. Pre-Breeding Swabs – It is the responsibility of the veterinary surgeon to ensure swabs are collected from the correct anatomical parts for all mares and stallions, and that the advised swabs and procedures are used as per the HBLB codes of practice. Please refer to the HBLB codes of practice – https://codes.hblb.org.uk | ||
qPCR and Serology
Various qPCR assays are available from a variety of sample types, with a rapid turn-around time allowing for timely diagnosis.
ELISA assays for various viral and bacterial infections are available. We are Vetqas accredited to provide the Strangles Ag. A and Ag. C ELISA.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
Mare CEM qPCR (clitoral or endometrial) | 1-2 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal) |
Stallion CEM qPCR x3 Swabs (with certificate)
Stallion CEM qPCR x4 Swabs (with certificate) | 1-2 days
1-2 days | Swab (Aimes Charcoal)
Swab (Aimes Charcoal) |
Strangles qPCR | 1-2 days | Plain or charcoal swab/ Nasopharyngeal swab/ GP wash/aspirate |
Equine Influenza qPCR | 1-2 days | Nasopharyngeal swab |
Equine Influenza qPCR | 1-2 days | Nasopharyngeal swab |
EHV 1&4 qPCR | 1-2 days | Nasopharyngeal swab |
Rhodococcus equi qPCR | 1-2 days | Tracheal Wash/Nasopharyngeal swab |
Equine Respiratory Panel qPCR EHV 1&4, Strangles, Equine influenza. | 1-2 days | Nasopharyngeal swab |
Lawsonia intracellularis qPCR | 1-2 days | Faeces |
Salmonella qPCR | 2 days | Faeces |
Dermatophyte qPCR | 1-2 days | Skin scrape/Hair pluck |
EVA ELISA (with certificate) | 1-2 days | Plain |
EIA ELISA (with certificate) | 1-2 days | Plain blood sample |
EVA ELISA/ EIA ELISA (with certificate) | 1-2 days | Plain blood sample |
Strangles ELISA (Ag.A and Ag.C) | 2-3 days | Plain blood sample |
Pre-Breeding Swabs – It is the responsibility of the veterinary surgeon to ensure swabs are collected from the correct anatomical parts for all mares and stallions, and that the advised swabs and procedures are used as per the HBLB codes of practice. Please refer to the HBLB codes of practice – https://codes.hblb.org.uk | ||
Microbiology
In addition to molecular microbiology, we offer conventional culture of bacterial organisms from a wide range of sample types. This is supported by the use of ‘Antimicrobial Suseptibility Testing’, where required. Organisms are tested against the most appropriate antibiotics in relation to case history and sample site.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
Aerobic culture
| 2 days | Plain or charcoal swab/aspirates |
Sensitivity (per Isolate) | 2 days |
|
Anaerobic Culture | 2-3 days | Plain or charcoal swab/aspirates |
Gram Stain | Same day | Plain or charcoal swab/Slide/ fluid/aspirate |
Eye Culture (aerobic) & Cytology | Cyto – same day
Culture – 2 days | Plain or charcoal swab (+/- film) |
Diarrhoea Panel – Adult Salmonella culture, C.difficile Toxin A/B, C.perfringens Enterotoxin, WEC | 1-4 days | Faeces |
Diarrhoea Panel – Foal Salmonella culture, C.difficile Toxin A/B, C.perfringens Enterotoxin, Cryptosporidium Parvum, Rotavirus, WEC | 1-4 days | Faeces |
Salmonella Culture | 2-3 days | Faeces |
C.difficile Toxin A/B | Same day | Faeces |
C.perfringens Enterotoxin | Same day | Faeces |
Rotavirus | Same day | Faeces |
Strangles Culture | 2 days | Plain or charcoal swab/ Nasopharyngeal swab/ GP wash/aspirate |
Strangles qPCR and Culture | 1-2 days | Plain or charcoal swab/ Nasopharyngeal swab/ GP wash/aspirate |
Haematology and Cytology
Haematology is performed on an automated analyser, which can be supported by means of manual film reading. Findings can also be further supported by secondary testing such as slide agglutination when required.
Cytology is routinely performed on a number of sample types including, tracheal washes, bronchoalveolar lavages, uterine lavages and sterile fluids.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
Haematology | Same day | EDTA |
Full Profile Haematology, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, AST, CK, Urea, Creatinine, GGT, ALKP, Calcium, Fibrinogen and SAA | Same day | Plain and EDTA |
Inflammatory Profile Haematology, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, SAA and Fibrinogen | Same day | Plain and EDTA |
Kidney Profile Haematology, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, Urea, Creatinine, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Fibrinogen and SAA | Same day | Plain, Lithium Heparin & EDTA
(LH separated prior to sending) |
Liver Profile Haematology, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, AST, ALKP, GGT, Total Bilirubin, GLDH, Bile Acids, Fibrinogen and SAA | Same day | Plain and EDTA |
Newborn Foal Profile Haematology, Total protein, SAA, Fibrinogen and IgG | Same day | Plain and EDTA |
Critical Foal Profile Haematology, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, Urea, Creatinine, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, SAA Fibrinogen | Same day | Plain, Lithium Heparin & EDTA
(LH separated prior to sending) |
Performance Profile Haematology, Total protein, AST, CK and Fibrinogen, SAA | Same day | Plain and EDTA |
Racing Profile Haematology, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, AST/CK, Fibrinogen | Same day | Plain and EDTA |
AST/CK | Same day | Plain |
Electrolytes Chloride, Sodium, Potassium | Same day | Lithium Heparin (separated prior to sending) |
Full Electrolytes Chloride, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Calcium | Same day | Lithium Heparin (separated prior to sending) |
IgG | Same day | Plain |
Individual/Add-on Tests Total protein, Albumin, AST, CK, Urea, Creatinine, Total Bilirubin, GGT, ALKP, Glucose, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Triglycerides, GLDH, Bile Acids | Same day | Plain
Electrolytes- Lithium Heparin (separated prior to sending)
Glucose – Oxalate |
SAA | Same day |
|
Fibrinogen | Same day |
|
Tracheal Wash Cytology | Same day | Plain and EDTA |
Broncho-Alveolar Lavage Cytology | Same day | Plain and EDTA |
Tracheal Wash Cytology and Culture (+ Anaerobic culture if indicated) | Cyto – Same day
Culture – 2 days | Plain and EDTA |
Broncho-Alveolar Lavage Cytology and Culture (+ Anaerobic culture if indicated) | Cyto – Same day
Culture – 2 days | Plain and EDTA |
Sterile Fluid Cytology (Total protein, TNCC and Cytology) | Same day | Plain and EDTA
|
Sterile Fluid Cytology & Culture (Total protein, TNCC, cytology and culture | Cyto – same day
Culture – 2 days | Plain and EDTA
|
Biochemistry
A comprehensive range of biochemistry is offered on an automated wet-chemistry analyser. Samples are processed within the laboratory for clinical diagnosis and routine fitness.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
Individual/Add-on Tests Total protein, Albumin, AST, CK, Urea, Creatinine, Total Bilirubin, GGT, ALKP, Glucose, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Triglycerides, GLDH, Bile Acids | Same day | Plain
Electrolytes- Lithium Heparin (separated prior to sending)
Glucose – Oxalate |
SAA | Same day | Plain |
Fibrinogen | Same day | EDTA |
IgG | Same day | Plain |
AST/CK | Same day | Plain |
Electrolytes Chloride, Sodium, Potassium | Same day | Lithium Heparin (separated prior to sending) |
Full Electrolytes Chloride, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Calcium | Same day | Lithium Heparin (separated prior to sending) |
Faecal Occult Blood | Same day | Faeces |
Parasitology
With routine worm egg counts becoming an increasingly important part of a horse’s worming routine, due to the increasing resistance of anthelmintics, we are able to offer an easy, ‘no mess, no fuss’ approach to sample collection.
We offer worm egg count collection packs that can be ordered and dispensed to client to submit samples for their horse. Varying pack sizes are available, along with annual submission packs.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
Faecal Worm Egg Count (McMaster) | Same day | Faeces |
Pinworm | Same day | Cello tape Slide |
Cryptosporidium Parvum | Same day | Faeces |
Endocrinology
Routine endocrinology is available to aid in the diagnosis of equine endocrine disease. Progesterone for breeding is also available.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
PPID Screen ACTH, Insulin and Glucose | Same day | EDTA – Separated and sent chilled, Plain and Oxalate. Please state basal or Post Glucose Insulin – Please send special delivery |
Insulin | Same day | Plain |
ACTH | Same day | EDTA – Separated and sent chilled Please send special delivery |
Progesterone | Same day | Plain |
Dermatology
Microscopic techniques can be performed for the detection of arthrospores and parasites from dermatology samples. This can be further supported by microbial cultures, such as bacterial and fungal.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
Skin scrape microscopy Microscopy for fungal elements and ectoparasites | Same day | Skin scrape/Hair pluck |
Skin scrape Microscopy and Fungal/dermatophyte Culture Microscopy for fungal elements and ectoparasites, and bacterial aerobic culture | Micro – same day
Culture – Up to 14 days | Skin scrape/Hair pluck |
Skin scrape – Full Microscopy for fungal elements and ectoparasites, fungal/dermatophyte culture and bacterial aerobic culture | Micro – same day
Aerobic culture – 2 days
Fungal/dermatophyte culture – Up to 14 day | Skin scrape/Hair pluck |
Dermatophyte qPCR | 1-2 days | Skin scrape/Hair pluck |
Urinalysis
Testing can be performed to assist in the diagnosis of urinary and kidney issues. This is performed by means of dipstick and cytology, which can be further supported can be further supported by bacterial culture.
Test Description | Turnaround Times | Sample Requirements |
Urinalysis Dipstick, Specific Gravity and Sediment | Same day | Urine |
Full Urinalysis Dipstick, Specific Gravity, Sediment and Culture | Urine analysis- Same day Culture – 2 days | Urine |
