05-Mar-08
Phenobarbital Reference Range Change
Effective 2/29/08 the reference range for therapeutic concentrations of phenobarbital has been changed to 75-160 umol/L. The supplier of reagents for this assay announced a change in the calibrator that would produce a bias of higher assay results. Paired phenobarbital assays were performed in 70 canine sera using both old and new calibrators, with a median bias of +10 umol/L across a wide range of concentrations. This is the background for the upward shift of the therapeutic range. Please contact the laboratory if you have any questions or concerns regarding this change.
05-Mar-08
Fee Increase Scheduled for Fall 2008
The DCPAH will be increasing fees September 1, 2008. Current clients will automatically receive an updated schedule with their fall newsletter. The updated schedule will also be posted on the website as soon as it is finalized. No further details are available at this time.
26-Aug-07
Decreased Turnaround Time for Aldosterone Assay
We are pleased to announce that aldosterone assays will now be offered twice weekly. Tests will be run on Mondays and Thursdays, with results available on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please refer to the Available Tests link for additional information regarding this assay.
01-May-07
Pet Food Recall Update
The recent pet food recall, which started on March 16, 2007, has turned out to be the largest pet food recall in U.S. history. Although most of the contaminated pet food has been taken off the shelves, pet owners are reminded to remain vigilant by checking the FDA website
(http://www.fda.gov)
for the latest information on expanded manufacturer recalls.
Recalled pet foods appear to have been contaminated by at least four adulterants, including melamine, cyanuric acid, ammelide, and ammeline. The current hypothesis is that, although these contaminants are not very toxic individually, their potency appears to be increased when they are present together. Crystals recovered from urine have been shown to be composed of 30% melamine and 70% cyanuric acid.
The DCPAH Toxicology Section is now ready to accept samples of food (10 g), kidney (10 g), and urine (2 mL) for qualitative determination of melamine by GC/MS. The cost will be $150 per sample. We are continuing our work on a quantitative method for melamine by LC-MS/MS and on methods for identification of cyanuric acid, ammelide, and ammeline. Please use the toxicology submission form (Tox Form PDF) and indicate Melamine in the "Other Requests" section of the form.
We will update our website as new diagnostic tools become available.
Recalled pet foods appear to have been contaminated by at least four adulterants, including melamine, cyanuric acid, ammelide, and ammeline. The current hypothesis is that, although these contaminants are not very toxic individually, their potency appears to be increased when they are present together. Crystals recovered from urine have been shown to be composed of 30% melamine and 70% cyanuric acid.
The DCPAH Toxicology Section is now ready to accept samples of food (10 g), kidney (10 g), and urine (2 mL) for qualitative determination of melamine by GC/MS. The cost will be $150 per sample. We are continuing our work on a quantitative method for melamine by LC-MS/MS and on methods for identification of cyanuric acid, ammelide, and ammeline. Please use the toxicology submission form (Tox Form PDF) and indicate Melamine in the "Other Requests" section of the form.
We will update our website as new diagnostic tools become available.
09-Apr-07
Bernese Mountain Dog DNA & Tissue
Bernese Mountain Dog DNA and Tissue Repository at Michigan State University
More info
02-Apr-07
Pet Food Recall Update
The underlying cause of the kidney lesions identified in dogs and cats that have eaten recalled pet foods remains undetermined. While initial reports on March 23, 2007, implicated aminopterin, several laboratories have subsequently failed to identify this compound. On March 30, 2007, reports from the FDA indicated that melamine was detected in wheat gluten used by Hill's Pet Nutrition in one of its dry cat food products. The wheat gluten was supplied by the same source that supplied wheat gluten to MenuFoods, Inc. At this time it is unclear whether melamine causes nephrotoxicity in dogs and/or cats. However, Hill's has voluntarily recalled Prescription Diet m/d Feline. This is the only Hill's product currently sold in North America that contains wheat gluten. No other Hill's products are affected by this recall.
For the latest information on recalled pet foods, visit the following Web sites: Assay development at DCPAH remains in progress. We will inform our clients via this Web site as soon as we have validated assays in place.
For the latest information on recalled pet foods, visit the following Web sites: Assay development at DCPAH remains in progress. We will inform our clients via this Web site as soon as we have validated assays in place.
28-Mar-07
Pet Food Recall - Necropsy Lesions
Lesions associated with DCPAH performed necropsy. See the attached PDF.
More info
26-Mar-07
Equine Wellness Panel Now Available
The DCPAH now offers an Equine Wellness Panel that can be requested independently or in conjunction with a Coggins/EIA test. The panel is run on a single serum sample and includes vitamin E, selenium, and an abbreviated chemistry panel as well as the EIA test.
More info
23-Mar-07
Pet Food Recall - DCPAH Response
See the attached PDF
More info
12-Dec-06
Endocrinology Update
Starting January 2, 2007, we will once again be offering "premium" thyroid profiles with free T4 by equilibrium dialysis. We will start accepting samples as "premium" (if ordered) on January 2. Samples for "premium" profiles arriving prior to January 2 will not be held, and will be analyzed as a "standard" profile. Unfortunately the cost of reagents for free T4 by equilibrium dialysis has significantly increased; thus an increase in cost for premium profiles was unavoidable. Refer to the May 1st, 2006 Schedule of Fees (PDF) (Revised 1/2/07) for a list of new prices.
25-Nov-06
Mineral Test Panels
Beginning November 1st, our mineral test and reporting panels will be reformatted with new combinations of tests. These new panels will make a distinction between nutritionally essential minerals and toxic elements. We think these changes will make it easier for you to choose appropriate mineral analyses, and for us to present more meaningful interpretations.
More info
09-Mar-06
Update from the Virology Section
BVD virus infection in alpacas
The identification of persistent infections with BVD virus in a number of alpacas has resulted in frequent inquiries about the diagnostic tests available at DCPAH.
The Virology Section is offering the following tests:
1. Real-time PCR testing to detect persistent infection (PI) with BVD virus. The sample required for this test is 2-5ml of whole blood in anticoagulant. If there is no requirement to test individual animals, blood from up to 5 animals can be pooled. The cost is $35/ test and the turnaround time is 4-5 working days.
2. Serological testing for BVD to determine herd status. The sample required for serology is 1-2ml of serum, collected under sterile conditions. The cost is $8/sample and the turnaround time is 5-10 working days.
Please contact us directly at 517-432-5791 or 517-432-5811 for additional information.
The identification of persistent infections with BVD virus in a number of alpacas has resulted in frequent inquiries about the diagnostic tests available at DCPAH.
The Virology Section is offering the following tests:
1. Real-time PCR testing to detect persistent infection (PI) with BVD virus. The sample required for this test is 2-5ml of whole blood in anticoagulant. If there is no requirement to test individual animals, blood from up to 5 animals can be pooled. The cost is $35/ test and the turnaround time is 4-5 working days.
2. Serological testing for BVD to determine herd status. The sample required for serology is 1-2ml of serum, collected under sterile conditions. The cost is $8/sample and the turnaround time is 5-10 working days.
Please contact us directly at 517-432-5791 or 517-432-5811 for additional information.
21-Feb-06
New Mailers
Changes in shipping regulations have allowed us to update and improve our very popular single tube mailer. The improvements consist of:
- Overnight Federal Express delivery included in the price
- Ability to hold one to six tubes per box or up to two biopsy containers
- Compliance with both US Postal Service and Courier shipping requirements with a single box
17-Oct-05
New DCPAH Information System
It is our pleasure to announce a significant event at the DCPAH designed to improve the service we provide to you. On October 17th, 2005 we will converted to a new laboratory information system. This system will serve to enhance our internal information handling and efficiency, but will also involve significant changes in the ways we communicate with you. Some of the enhancements and changes associated with the new system are:
- The new system uses bar code technology to significantly improve efficient sample handling, data integrity, and sample storage.
- Any DCPAH staff member with access to the system can provide up-to-date information regarding the location and status of your specimen and the testing process.
- Reports of laboratory work will now be available to clients on-line and by email, fax, and mail, matched to meet the needs of individual clients at no additional charge.
- Our single animal reports will be cumulative and contain all the results from the various diagnostic disciplines in a single report. The final report from us will contain all the lab data in a format that can be easily included in your patient records.
- A multiple animal report format (sample enclosed) will now be used to improve the look, readability, and utility of our laboratory reports for our clients working with food animals.
- The information system will also provide a new look for the billing statement and fee process. More information will be provided with the new billing statements.