 |
Lore Laborartory |
|
Lore Laborartory |
The Animal Services Industry is evolving at a breakneck pace and it can be incredibly challenging for dedicated veterinarians to stay abreast of new diagnostic tests and methods. We at APEX are here to help. We offer consults by board certified veterinarians in all specialties as well as direct assistance in testing choices, sample collection and specimen submission to our lab. Post-testing consults and advice are available with a click of a mouse or a phone call. Our laboratory is organized into many departments for testing logistics and quality control purposes.
This department is where the pathologists rule: Histopathology of Biopsy specimens; Special Stains including IHC, FISH, etc.; Cytology of body fluids and fine needle aspirates; Path reviews of blood smears; Bone marrow; Semen analysis; Dermatology work-ups; and, Whole body necropsy or guided tissue and organ necropsies comprise the majority of the workload in this department. We perform clinical and anatomical pathology services for a wide range of clients in the animal care industry. From large research animal populations to pharmaceutical drug studies to individual pets, our pathology department is second-to-none.
Our Chemistry department is among the best in the industry. We operate state-of -the art chemistry analyzers with a capacity of greater than 5000 tests per hour. The bulk of our workload in this department involves routine blood, urine and body fluid chemistry tests for: cats and dogs; horses, goats, sheep, pigs and large animals; zoo animals and birds, aquarium fish and marine mammals including whales, dolphins, sea lions and seals, small mammals including mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and monkeys. APEX has established normal ranges for over one hundred animal species and counting. We also perform specialty tests in the chemistry department such as: fructosamine, bile acids, cholinesterase, protein electrophoresis, insulin, iron, copper and zinc. Acute phase proteins such as amyloid A, haptoglobin, c reactive protein, and troponin levels are a new and expanding part of our chemistry test menu.
Blood cells and components are within the fascinating realm of our hematology and coagulation department. Our ultra-modern high speed cell counters perform precision counts for blood cells of all species; WBC with 5-part Differentials; RBC; Hemoglobin; PCV and Hematocrit; Quantitative Platelet Counts; Reticulocyte counts for anemic animals; and all CBC Indices are routinely performed with established normal ranges for over 100 animal species. Coagulation studies are also performed by our amazing hematologists, including: Protime, APTT, Fibrinogen, D-dimer and Von Willebrands. Our pathologists are intimately involved with our hematology department as well and perform path reviews on all atypical blood smears to evaluate blood parasite presence, anemia, toxic changes, reactive lymphocytes, inflammatory cells, neoplasia, hyperplasia and a myriad of other blood conditions that trigger an automatic path review. The submitting veterinarian may also request a path review on any case sent to APEX.
Hormones, Hormones, Hormones. This department is all about the glands. Thyroid testing leads the pack with tests for Total Thyroxine (T4), Free T4 by Equilibrium Dialysis, Free T4 RIA, T3, Free T3, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone TSH,
Auto Antibody tests for T4, T3 and Thyroglobulin. We also specialize in Reproductive Hormones such as Progesterone, Hydroxyprogesterone, Estradiol, Testosterone, Relaxin, LH, and Estrone Sulfate. Cortisol Testing is important for monitoring Adrenal Gland function and pathology. We perform ACTH Stimulus testing; Dexamethasone Suppression tests; Urine Cortisol Creatinine ratio; Resting Cortisol; and Endogenous ACTH tests. All are important when diagnosing Cushing's Disease, Addison's Disease, and the presence of Adrenal Tumors as well as Monitoring Treatments and Therapies. Insulin and Steroid Hormones round out our complete menu of endocrine assays.
The Immunoserology Department at APEX is by far the most complex. Most tests involve antibody or antigen detection for specific disease agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungus and rickettsia. Our most commonly performed tests include: FeLV, FIV, FCV, FIP, Calicivirus, Rhinovirus, Herpesvirus, Panleukopenia, Toxoplasma, Cryptococcus, Heartworm, Parvo, Distemper, Brucella, Influenza, Ehrlichia, Coccidiomycosis, ANA, Coombs, RA Factor, Systemic Fungal Profiles, IgG, IgM, IgG, IgE, Equine Adenovirus, EIA, and way too many more too list here. See our catalog for more details.
Our Urinalysis department is number one! (sorry attempt at lab humor). Our highly-trained urinalysis techs perform a multitude of tests to determine kidney and bladder health, presence of UTI, stone analysis and pathological conditions. It all begins with a routine urinalysis (UA) which should be performed on a regular basis on all animals. All UAs include: Specific gravity, pH, Urine chemistry (glucose, protein, bilirubin,hemoglobin); Microscopic analysis for epithelial cellularity and classification; WBCs and RBCs; crystal presence and identification, bacterial presence and morphological description, cast identification, fat, mucus and sperm presence, parasite presence and identification. All atypical cellularity is evaluated by a pathologist. Urine Protein Creatinine/Ratios and Microalbumin tests are available to help diagnose GFR impairment and ERD.
We won't make any number two jokes here mainly because parasite infestation is not a laughing matter when it comes to household pets, exotic, zoo, and large animals. Some parasites are zoonotic (transferable to humans) and many can shorten the lifespan of a beloved pet or expensive exotic, zoo, marine or large animal. Our most commonly requested veterinary parasitology assay is Ova & Parasites by Zinc Sulfate Centrifugation plus Giardia ELISA. This Assay is the best for detection of the most common animal parasites such as roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, pinworms, protozoans including Giardia, strongyles and mites. We also perform Fecal Saline Sedimentation testing for heavier parasites that are resistant to float techniques. Other tests performed in Parasitology include: Baermann Funnel, Fecal Occult Blood, Cryptosporidium ELISA and Clostridium Perfringens Enterotoxin. Parasite detection and elimination are a critical component of modern veterinary diagnosis.
The closest thing to Animal CSI. This is the arena of Animal Diagnostics that is proving to be a game-changer in determining causative agents in animal diseases. We have developed many systemic PCR Profiles to aid front line veterinarians in determining the causes of ailments by detecting the RNA or DNA presence of most disease agents. These include: Canine Diarrhea PCR Panel; Feline Diarrhea PCR Panel; Respiratory PCR Panels for Cats, Dogs, Horses, Pigs, Llamas, Birds, and many others; Abortion PCR Panels for Dogs and Cats; FUO PCR Panels for many different species; as well as Anemia PCR Profiles for Dogs and Cats. In addition we can create custom PCR Panels for any animal species because we perform hundreds of cost-effective individual PCR tests for Pets; Horses and Production Animals; Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians; Zoo and Aquarium Animals; Research and Pharma Facility Animals as well as Rescue and Game Animals.
If Bacteria or Fungus is involved, this department finds the answers. Our amazing veterinary microbiology technologists have years of experience culturing and identifying aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, acid fast bacteria, fungi and dermatophytes. Our high tech Sensitivity and Susceptibility system identifies which antibiotics are the most effective in treating bacterial infections. MIC Sensitivities for Urine Cultures are the gold standard for quantifying the effectiveness of antibiotics against invading bacteria. You'll really like our Microbiology Reports too. Very easy to read and see which antibiotics to choose when multiple species of bacteria are involved.
In the modern world, animals can be exposed to toxins from many sources. Precise treatments must be selected to counteract toxicity. APEX offers Toxicology profiles based on presented clinical symptoms: Anticoagulants, NSAID Drug Screen; Herbicide Screen; Insecticide Screen; Drug Screen and Drugs of Abuse Screen. Individual Toxicology tests include: Arsenic, Lead, Strychnine, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Selenium, Ethylene Glycol, Metaldehyde, Warfarin and Many More. These tests are also available on post-mortem cases if needed.
APEX provides animal health and pathology services to Research Doctors, Coordinators and Facilities. We recognize that each research project involving animals is unique and requires a customized plan of action to perform needed laboratory tests and pathology workups. We help you develop and perform needed labwork to optimize the health of the research animal and systematically compile data for the researcher to complete their project on time and within budget. We Specialize in getting maximum results from very small specimens too. Our Board Certified Veterinary Pathologists work within our Research Coordination Department to assist you in attaining your project goals.
Because Equine Medicine is a separate world within Veterinary Medicine, APEX has a separate department dedicated to the needs of Equine Veterinarians, Racetrack Vets, and Vets that deal with Working Animals and Production Facilities. We offer a wide array of Equine Serology and PCR tests as well as routine tests for EIA, Foal IgG, Basic Bloodwork, Urinalysis and Parasitology.
This department is designed to navigate the challenging world of Exotic Animal Diagnostics. We have established normal ranges for over 100 species of Bird, Reptile, Amphibian, Fish and Small Mammals. Our experienced technicians, pathologists and exotic animal specialists are here to help you. We Specialize in getting maximum results from very small specimens too.