Instructions for Testing
To ensure accurate test results, please locate your pet’s specific testing below and carefully follow the provided instructions. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns at (417) 334-7696. If your pet is under 6 months of age or weighs less than 5 lbs, please consult with us prior to withholding food.
*If an intestinal parasite screen or urinalysis is included in the lab order but the stool or urine samples are not submitted at the same time, they must be provided within 3 weeks to be processed as part of the same testing. After 3 weeks, additional charges will apply.
| Lab Testing | Admit to Clinic | Need Urine Sample | Need Stool Sample | Withhold Food | Allow Free Access to Water | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Preventive Care: Essential/Outdoor Profile | ✓ | 8-12 hours | ✓ | A stool sample the size of a large grape can be collected within 12 hours of visit; refrigerate. | ||
| *Preventive Care: Senior/Advanced/Optimum Profile | ✓ | ✓ | 12-18 hours | ✓ | Clean, midstream urine sample can be collected within 12 hours of visit; refrigerate. A stool sample the size of a large grape can be collected within 12 hours of visit; refrigerate. | |
| *Preventive Care: Heartworm/Tick Disease Screen & Intestinal Parasite Screen | ✓ | ✓ | A stool sample the size of a large grape can be collected within 12 hours of visit; refrigerate. | |||
| Preventive Care: Intestinal Parasite Screen | ✓ | ✓ | A stool sample the size of a large grape can be collected within 12 hours of visit; refrigerate. | |||
| Urinalysis | ✓ | ✓ | Clean, midstream urine sample can be collected within 12 hours of visit; refrigerate. | |||
| *Kidney (CKD) / Renal Monitoring | ✓ | 8-12 hours | ✓ | Clean, midstream urine sample can be collected within 12 hours of visit; refrigerate. | ||
| Thyroid Monitoring | See Special Instructions | ✓ | Dogs: Blood draw must be done 4-6 hours after thyroid medication is given. If the medication is normally given with food, please give with food as you normally do. Cats: Timing not important but don’t skip a dose of medication. |
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| Liver Monitoring / Bile Acids | ✓ | 12-18 hours | ✓ | Discontinue ursodiol 5 days prior. Avoid food scents or sights. | ||
| Protein Monitoring (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin) | 8-12 hours | ✓ | ||||
| Lipids/Cholesterol/Triglycerides | 12-18 hours | ✓ | ||||
| Pancreatitis Monitoring | 12-18 hours | ✓ | ||||
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | ✓ | Fasting not usually necessary. | ||||
| Urine Protein Monitoring (UPC) | ✓ | ✓ | Clean, midstream urine sample can be collected within 12 hours of visit; refrigerate. | |||
| Urine Concentration Monitoring | ✓ | ✓ | First urine of the day is ideal; refrigerate. | |||
| *Cushing’s Monitoring (ACTH-Stimulation Test) | ✓ | ✓ | See Special Instructions | ✓ | For Vetoryl monitoring, schedule at 4 hours after morning dose given with food as usual. Do NOT fast. A urine sample may be needed for urinalysis. | |
| Low Dose Dex/LDDST | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Phenobarbital Monitoring | 8-12 hours | ✓ | Phenobarbital monitoring should be scheduled 4 to 5 hours after last phenobarbital dose. | |||
| Glucose Curve | ✓ | ✓ | Bring breakfast and insulin to appointment to be administered after first glucose check. |
If your pet is under 6 months of age or weighs less than 5 lbs, please consult with us prior to withholding food.
| Admit to Clinic | Withhold Food | Allow Free Access to Water | Special Instructions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdominal Ultrasound | ✓ | 12 hours | ✓ | |
| Echocardiogram | ✓ | See Special Instructions | ✓ | Fasting is generally not required for an echocardiogram. However, it is best to avoid a meal prior to admitting your pet because we will lightly sedate your pet to ensure a relaxed and calm examination experience. |
Learn more about how we do ultrasounds and echocardiograms and what to expect.