Blood results while you wait, rather than the following week
Four hospitals run their own analysers, so a sick animal gets its biochemistry, haematology and electrolytes inside twenty minutes. The tests that need a reference laboratory still go out, and this page says which is which.
20minutes for a full in-house blood panel
What happens
Haematology and biochemistry
Red cells, white cells, platelets, kidney, liver, protein and glucose from one small sample. It is the panel that decides whether an anaesthetic goes ahead on the day.
Urine testing
Concentration, protein, glucose and sediment under the microscope. Urine catches early kidney disease well before the blood values move.
Cytology from a needle sample
A lump sampled with a fine needle and read the same visit. It names roughly two thirds of skin masses without cutting anything.
Sent to the reference laboratory
Histopathology, culture and sensitivity, hormone assays and tick-borne disease panels. Five to seven working days, and we telephone every result.
Only on this page
In-house or sent away, and how long each takes
The split matters when you are waiting. These are the tests we run in the building and the ones that go to the reference laboratory, with the honest turnaround for each.
| Test | Where it runs | Result in |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-anaesthetic panel | In-house | 20 minutes |
| Full biochemistry and haematology | In-house | 20 minutes |
| Electrolytes and blood gas | In-house, Fremantle and Joondalup | 5 minutes |
| Urinalysis with sediment | In-house | 30 minutes |
| Fine needle cytology | In-house | Same visit |
| Snap tests: parvovirus, FIV, FeLV | In-house | 10 minutes |
| Histopathology | Reference laboratory | 5 to 7 working days |
| Culture and sensitivity | Reference laboratory | 3 to 5 working days |
| Thyroid and adrenal assays | Reference laboratory | 2 to 4 working days |
An in-house result that reads abnormal is often confirmed at the reference laboratory before a long-term medication starts. The first number moves the plan, and the second one commits to it.
Where you can get this
4 of our six hospitals, because the equipment and the people it needs live in those buildings.
What it costs
From $145pre-anaesthetic panel
A full biochemistry and haematology panel is $210.
All consult feesQuestions we get asked
Are pre-anaesthetic bloods worth the cost?
They change the anaesthetic protocol in a small but real share of apparently healthy animals, and they cancel the procedure in a smaller one. For animals over eight, we recommend them every time.
How much blood is taken?
About two millilitres for a full panel, which is roughly a third of a teaspoon. Cats and small dogs use a paediatric tube that needs less again.
Can I get the actual numbers?
Yes, with the reference range beside each value, emailed the same day.
Do I need to fast my pet?
Twelve hours with water available, unless your pet is diabetic or under six months, in which case call us first.
Why did my result take a week?
It went to the reference laboratory. Histopathology and culture need time in the laboratory that no in-house machine shortens.
Book in-house pathology
Available at Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland, Canning Vale.