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Home »  Agriculture  »  Vet Lab Manual  »  Submission of specimens

Vet Lab Manual

Laboratory charges

Last updated: Feb 2011

Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) operates the Veterinary Laboratories on a cost recovery basis. Submitters will be invoiced soon after the final report is issued. Only the most common tests are listed below. Fees for tests not listed here can be obtained by calling Customer Service at 1800 675 623, or contacting the particular laboratory.

Laboratory fees for common tests

This schedule includes only the tests most commonly requested by veterinarians. Many additional tests are also available. Advice on other services or on volume discounts can be obtained by calling our Customer Service Unit on 1800 675 623.

Test fees for some jobs may be subsidised. For further information visit the Vet Lab Manual or call the Customer Service Unit on 1800 675 623. This listing is intended as indicative pricing only, quotes will be provided on request. Industry and Investment NSW reserves the right to modify prices at any time.

Testing may be outsourced to other laboratories in the Industry & Investment NSW network or outside our network eg clinical chemistry. Outsourced work will be placed with a competent laboratory, wherever possible, one which is NATA accredited.

Print version

A printable version of the price schedule (170 kb, ) is available for download.

Bacteriology & Mycology

All prices quoted include GST

Calf enteric kit test (one pathogen – either K99, or Rotavirus, or Cryptosporidia)

40.80

Calf enteric kit test (two pathogens – either K99, and/or Rotavirus, and/or Cryptosporidia)

61.65

Calf enteric kit test (three pathogens – K99, Rotavirus and Cryptosporidia)

82.45

Chlamydophila immunofluorescence antigen detection (for avian species)

61.00

Clostridium perfringens toxin assay (CIEP)

71.50

Culture

 

 

Antibiotic sensitivity test

18.30

Routine aerobic culture
(identification of any pathogens is charged separately – see next line)

34.25

Routine identification

13.45

Selective or special culture
Unless otherwise specified below, this fee will be applied to cultures done under a special condition or on a selective medium. Examples include fungal culture, anaerobic culture, Salmonella and Campylobacter culture on selective media

48.05

Mycoplasma culture-direct

92.00

Bulls – Campylobacter culture (does not include transport medium, see below)

41.55

Bulls – Tritrichomonas culture (does not include transport medium, see below)

41.55

Rams – semen culture (routine and Brucella culture)

69.55

Rams – culture of reproductive tract for Brucella ovis and serologyAccreditation follow-up of serological reactors

136.80

Johne’s culture

For sheep

 

 

Johne’s individual faecal culture (Bactec)
Includes PCR if required

157.60

 

Johne’s individual tissue culture (Bactec)
Includes PCR if required

140.55

 

Johne’s pooled faecal culture (Bactec) – (up to 50 sheep per pool)
Includes PCR if required

157.50

 

Other species (not sheep)

 

 

Johne’s individual faecal or tissue culture (Bactec)
PCRs if required are charged at $92.95 each

45.20

 

Johne’s individual faecal culture (Conventional)

25.95

 

Johne’s 6 tissue culture (Bactec) for cattle
PCRs if required are charged at $92.95 each

262.80

 

Johne’s pooled faecal culture (Bactec) – (up to 5 cows, or 5 alpacas, or 25 goats per pool)
PCRs if required are charged at $92.95 each

162.45

Mastitis culture

First & second sample (each)

26.10

 

Third to eighth samples(each)

12.80

 

Subsequent samples (each)

6.20

 

Identification of mastitis pathogen (each)

9.10

Microscopy

Smear, prepare and examine
Includes Gram stain, Ziehl-Neelsen, modified Ziehl-Neelsen, wet preparations or dark field examinations

25.80

PCRs

Chlamydophila RT PCR

111.45

 

Leptospira PCR

77.60

 

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (pig pneumonia) PCR
(currently outsourced, have to add a freight charge of $20.45)

61.55

 

Mycoplasma ovis PCR (formerly E ovis)

77.60

 

Pig enteric pathogen PCRs – one pathogen
(Lawsonia intracellularis or Brachyspira hyodysenteriae or B. pilosicoli)

86.65

 

Pig enteric pathogen PCRs – two pathogens
(Lawsonia intracellularis or Brachyspira hyodysenteriae or B. pilosicoli)

104.60

 

Pig enteric pathogen PCRs – three pathogens
(Lawsonia intracellularis and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli)

122.45

Transport Media

Bulls – Campylobacter transport medium for culture

4.60

 

Bulls – Tritrichomonas transport medium for culture

4.60

Genetics

The following genetics tests are available. Hair root samples are the most cost efficient sample type and can be used in most, but not all tests. DNA can also be extracted from anticoagulant-treated blood and from semen, however the test will be significantly more expensive. The cost of most genetics tests on hair root samples ranges from $60 to $72 per sample. Discounted charges may apply for large submissions or samples submitted through a breed society. Contact the laboratory for more information on charges and sample collection. The Laboratory Service Manual (glove-box guide 2011) also contains information on tests and sample collection.

Cattle

α-mannosidosis in Angus, Murray Grey, Galloway and Salers; β-lactoglobulin in Dairy breeds; BLAD in Holstein-Friesians; Double muscling in Multiple cattle breeds; Dominant Black in Multiple cattle breeds; Recessive Red in Multiple cattle breeds; Citrullinaemia in Holstein-Friesians; Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome in Brahman; Deficiency of Uridine Monophosphate Synthase in Holstein-Friesians; E7 Pompes in Brahman; E13 Pompes in Brahman; E18 Pompes in Shorthorn; Factor XI deficiency in Holstein-Friesians and Wagyu; Inherited Congenital Myoclonus in Poll Hereford; K-casein in Dairy breeds; Male specific PCR for genotyping bovine twins; Maple Syrup Urine Disease in Poll Herefords and Poll Shorthorns; Myophosphorylase deficiency in Charolais; Protoporphyria in Limousins; Hereditary spherocytosis in Wagyu; Renal Tube Dysplasia in Wagyu; Chediak-Higashi Syndrome in Wagyu; Factor XIII deficiency in Wagyu; Multiple ocular defects in Wagyu.

Horses

Hyperkalaemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) in Quarter Horse; Lavender Foal Syndrome in Arabian.

Sheep

Ovine Dermatosparaxis in Dorpers.

Alpaca

Parentage verification.

Haematology & Biochemistry

Please note that we outsource most of these tests. For each submission, a handling and freight charge will be added. Prices may change without notice. Contact our Customer Service Unit for current prices or quotes.

Outsourced Handling and Freight Charge (per submission)

21.05

Blood count with differential at RLS

38.50

Blood count with differential + General Biochemical Profile at RLS

71.50

Packed cell volume (PCV)

 

 

First sample

12.80

 

Subsequent sample

3.60

Blood smear examination for Theileria

25.80

General Biochemical Profile (ruminant) at RLS (includes GGT, GLDH, AST, CK, Bil, Prot, Alb, Glob, urea, creatinine, Ca, Mg, P, BHB)

 

 

First sample

38.50

 

Subsequent samples

27.50

Liver Profile (ruminant) at RLS (includes GGT, GLDH, AST, Bil, Prot, Alb, Glob)

 

 

First sample

27.50

 

Subsequent samples

22.00

Biochemical analyte at RLS (individual analytes such as Ca, Mg, BHB)

5.50

Copper at RLS (serum or LiHep blood)

11.00

D-lactate at RLS (serum, LiHep or EDTA blood or aq hum)

 

 

First sample

27.50

 

Subsequent samples

16.50

Glutathione peroxidise at RLS (for selenium status, LiHep or EDTA blood)

11.00

Pepsinogen at RLS (serum, LiHep or EDTA blood)

22.00

Vitamin B12 for cobalt deficiency at RLS (serum or LiHep blood)

22.00

Vitamin A or E at RPA (serum or LiHep blood. Protect from light and heat)
(also have to add a submission processing fee of $11.60 to this price)

76.00

Blood count with differential at University of Sydney
(this test generally only used for quicker turnaround time for samples received on a Friday)

52.25

Blood count with differential + Biochemical Profile at University of Sydney
(this test generally only used for quicker turnaround time for samples received on a Friday)

102.30

Histopathology

Each slide may contain several tissues

Processing, examination and interpretation

 

 

First slide

58.45

 

Each subsequent slide

32.25

Special stain (includes processing, examination and interpretation)

31.80

Brucella ovis - examination of standard tissues from serological reactors

135.60

Parasitology

WormTest Packages - Kits are provided free of charge for on farm sample collection

WormTest Basic

2 pooled worm egg counts from 10 samples

36.60

WormTest Basic + type

2 pooled worm egg counts + bulked larval differentiation

56.80

WormTest Gold

10 individual worm egg counts

58.25

WormTest Gold + type

10 individual worm egg counts + bulked larval differentiation

78.45

Sheep Fluke egg count

2 pooled fluke egg counts from 10 samples (sedimentation test)

51.30

Cattle Fluke egg count

5 bulk fluke egg counts from 10 samples (sedimentation test)

84.90

Anthelmintic Resistance Packages - Kits are provided free of charge for on farm sample collection

Drench Test (4 groups)

Faecal egg count reduction + larval differentiation

302.20

Drench Test extra groups

Faecal egg count reduction + larval differentiation

78.80

Other Parasitology Tests

Faecal egg count (modified McMaster count - includes coccidia)

15.60

Coccidia smear (only used if not enough faeces for Faecal egg count above)

15.85

Cryptosporidia (wet preparation-faecal smear, stain & examine)

25.80

Fluke egg count (includes liver and stomach fluke eggs)

29.90

Larval differentiation (culture & microscopy)

32.95

Liver fluke ELISA for cattle or sheep (serum)

 

 

First sample

22.25

 

Subsequent samples

16.90

 

Pool of 5, including pooling fee.

32.80

Lungworm Baermann test (faeces)

49.90

Parasite Identification Microscopic (simple)

45.15

Total worm count for sheep (includes sampling and counting from abomasum, small and large intestine)

122.55

Worm count – aliquot

79.30

Post Mortem

Includes a complete post mortem examination, the collection of appropriate samples for ancillary laboratory testing to arrive at an aetiological diagnosis and a comprehensive typed report. Ancillary testing will only be undertaken following discussion with the submitter. Disposal of the cadaver is charged on a per kilogram basis.

For gross pathology and where no specific fee has been determined, the fee will be calculated at $23.30 per 5 minutes or part thereof. As a rough guide, necropsy will take 60 minutes for a sheep or weaner pig and 90 minutes for a cow. When multiple birds or foetuses / neonates are examined in the one submission we will calculate the fee by time where this will reduce the cost to the submitter.

Bird, foetus or neonatal animal.

79.30

Other animals, charge per 5 minutes

23.30

Waste disposal (per kilogram)

3.45

Serology

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae ELISA

 

 

1-30 sera per submission (price per sample)

11.90

 

> 30 sera per submission (price per sample)

9.55

Brucella abortus CFT

12.40

Brucella abortus SAT

11.45

Brucella abortus ELISA

14.50

Brucella ovis CFT

8.45

Brucella ovis CFT >50 sera per submission (price per sample)

7.45

Campylobacter ELISA (on vaginal mucus - request specific transport media from the laboratory)

18.80

Chlamydia CFT

15.20

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) on bovine foetal fluids (pericardial, pleural, or peritoneal (least preferred))

17.65

Johne’s Disease ELISA (cattle, goat, deer)

10.00

Johne’s Disease ELISA (bovine MAP)

6.95

Johne’s Disease CFT

12.70

Johne’s Disease AGID

5.85

Leptospira MAT – each serovar

11.30

Liver fluke ELISA for cattle or sheep (serum)

 

 

First sample

22.25

 

Subsequent samples

16.90

 

Pool of 5, including pooling fee

32.80

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae ELISA 1-30 sera per submission (price per sample)

12.50

Neospora ELISA

10.60

Q Fever CFT

22.75

Salmonella SAT (serovars Dublin or Typhimurium)

15.35

Toxoplasma latex agglutination test

12.50

Toxicology

Some of these tests are outsourced and incur an additional freight charge of $21.05

Ammonia at RLS (serum or LiHep plasma or aqueous humour)

 

 

First sample

27.50

 

Subsequent samples

16.50

Blood lead at RLS (LiHep or EDTA blood)

 

 

First sample

38.50

 

Subsequent samples

27.50

Nitrate/nitrite – semiquantitative (serum or LiHep plasma or aqueous humour)

15.00

Feed nitrate/nitrite – quantitative at RLS (200g representative sample of feed)

 

 

First sample

71.50

 

Subsequent samples

49.50

Nitrate/nitrite – Diphenylamine test

17.35

Organophosphate and organochlorine (in ingesta)

122.05

Tissue elements by ICP-MS (any of arsenic, copper, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, zinc)

 

 

Per tissue: first element (includes $15.95 for the tissue digest)

33.90

 

Per tissue: subsequent elements each

6.25

Water Test – standard (includes pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, sodium adsorption, saturation index, turbidity and chloride)

75.45

Virology

AGID (Agar Gel Immunodiffusion). This test is also known as GDPT (Gel Diffusion Precipitation Test)
Available for equine infectious anaemia, pestivirus (BVD), bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease, avian influenza

17.30

ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay)
Available for akabane, bovine ephemeral fever, Hendra, avian influenza, caprine arthritis encephalitis, rabbit calicivirus (antigen or antibody), bluetongue, Simbu group

10.60

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus ELISA, parainfluenza ELISA (each)

20.30

EBL ELISA (serum, milk, pooled serum or milk)

17.55

EBL ELISA specimen pooling (per 50 samples)

39.90

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus ELISA

14.90

Pestivirus Antigen ELISA or PI test (serum/skin/hair)

 

 

1-9 samples

13.90

 

10-19 samples

9.70

 

>19 samples

8.30

Pestivirus Antigen ELISA (Li Heparin or EDTA preferred from live animal, spleen from dead)

35.40

VNT (Virus neutralisation test)
Available for Akabane, Aino, encephalomyocarditis (EMC), ephemeral fever, equine viral arteritis, equine herpes, pestivirus (bovine virus diarrhoea), Ross River

37.65

HI (Haemagglutination inhibition)
Available for Egg drop syndrome, Newcastle Disease

7.25

Rotavirus latex agglutination test

18.55

Virus isolation

3 passages

118.95

Additional passage

62.50

Pestivirus (bovine virus diarrhoea)

111.75

Electron microscopy

Negative stain (eg for scabby mouth)

122.30

Section and ID (on tissue sections)

236.40

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
PCRs are available for many viruses. Eg Ephemeral fever, Malignant Catarrhal Fever, Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, Coronavirus.

 

 

Real Time PCR – Virology

73.25

Real Time PCR – medium batch

64.15

Real Time PCR – large batch

51.65

Subsidised charges

Laboratory charges are subsidised for testing in the following circumstances:

  • Suspected notifiable disease,
  • Suspected emergency (exotic) disease
  • National TSE Surveillance Program (NTSESP)

See Disease surveillance

Specifying a maximum fee

Because it is often difficult for submitters to specify the precise tests that will be required, many find it useful to indicate a maximum laboratory fee on the Specimen Submission Form. The Pathologist will consult with the submitter before exceeding this amount.

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