College of Veterinary Medicine

Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab

Toxicology


TOXICOLOGY SAMPLES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH WADDL

General Toxicologic Consideration

Chemical analyses can establish the exposure of animals to excessive amounts of toxic substances. Many analytical procedures can be performed if the problem warrants the investment of time and the client is willing to pay for the procedure. Always request a specific analysis or consult with a clinical toxicologist as to appropriate tests. Although it is possible to screen samples for certain groups of chemicals, it is not feasible to analyze for "everything" or "check for poisons".

The following guidelines will be helpful in identifying toxic substances:

  1. Give an accurate history on the day-to-day conditions surrounding the illness. All details are significant and should include: morbidity and mortality, clinical signs, time the animal was last observed before death and its condition at that time, detailed necropsy findings and treatments. The presence of any poisons or potential toxins on the premises, the possibility of exposure, length of time animals have been on present feed or water and any changes in feed or water should be noted.
  2. Collect samples carefully. All samples should be clean and individually packaged. Each sample should be clearly labeled.
  3. Samples should be shipped refrigerated or frozen.
  4. Samples with legal implications should be sealed and tagged carefully in the presence of a second person. The laboratory should be notified regarding all potential legal cases.
  5. Sample selection is very important. In the list following preferred samples are under-lined in black.
  6. Minimum sample size is listed per test. MORE IS BETTER
  7. A toxicologist is available for consultation if necessary: (509)335-9696, (208)885-6109, or (Cell phone) (208)301-4027
Fees for clients outside WA & ID (out of area) are double the fees within WA & ID except where designated.

Other types of toxicologic analyses (soil, water, plant) may be available. Contact the Analytical Sciences Laboratory.

 Last Revision June 2006
Test Specimen(s)1
Minimum Sample Size 2
Preservation Fees
Approximate
Turnaround (working days) 3
Acetylcholinesterase
Blood (EDTA, heparin)serum, plasma 0.1-0.5 ml Chill $20 $40 3-5 days
Brain Complete hemisphere Chill $20 $40 3-5 days
Aflatoxin (see also Mycotoxin screen)
Feed 250 g Chill $20 $40 5-7 days
Ammonia (Nonprotein nitrogen poisoning - urea) All samples need to be collected within 30 min of death
Blood (EDTA, heparin), serum , plasma, ocular fluid 5 ml Freeze $12 $24 5-7 days
Rumen/abomasal contents 10 ml Freeze $12 $24 5-7 days
Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen* (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, chlorophacinone, coumachlor, coumafuryl, diphacinone, difethialone, pindone, valone, warfarin, difenacoum)
Blood (EDTA, heparin) 1-5 ml Chill Send out call for prices
Liver , bait, stomach contents 20 g Chill
Arsenic
Blood (EDTA, heparin), urine : acute 1 ml Chill $21 $42 5-7 days
Gi contents, source 1 g Chill/Freeze $21 $42 5-7 days
Liver , kidney (renal cortex preferred): chronic (SEE Tissue Heavy Metal Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Liver, kidney (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)
Brodifacoum (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Bromadiolone (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Cadmium
Blood (EDTA, heparin), urine : acute 1 ml Chill $21 $42 5-7 days
Liver , kidney (renal cortex preferred): chronic (SEE Tissue Heavy Metal Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)
Caffeine
Stomach contents , urine , serum 10 ml Chill/Freeze $20 $40 5-7 days
Calcium
Serum , plasma, ocular fluid/intact eye (separated from clot prior to shipping) (SEE Trace Element Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Carbamate Pesticide Screen
Liver, kidney, gi contents , vomitus , lavage washings 10 g Chill/Freeze $75 $150 7-10 days
Chlorophacinone (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Chromium Liver, kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro) or (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)
Cobalt
Blood (EDTA, heparin) 1 ml Chill $15 $30 5-7 days
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)
Copper
Serum, plasma (separated from clot prior to shipping) (SEE Trace Element Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Heavy Metal Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)
Coumachlor (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Coumafuryl (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Cyanide (qualitative only)
Feed Representative sample (100 g) Freeze $10 $20 3-5 days
2,4-D
Serum, urine 10 ml Chill/Freeze $50 $100 5-7 days
Deoxynivalenol (Vomitoxin, DON) (SEE Mycotoxin screen)
Difenacoum (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Difethialone (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Diphacinone (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Ethylene glycol (by gas chromatography)
Serum 5 ml Chill/Freeze $40 $80 7-10 days
Urine 10 ml Chill/Freeze $40 $80 7-10 days
Source material 50 g Chill/Freeze $40 $80 7-10 days
Fluoride
Water 50 ml $16 $20 7-10 days
Glutathione peroxidase (must be run within 7 days of collection)
Blood (EDTA, heparin) 0.1-0.5 ml Chill $20 $40 1-3 days
Gossypol* Feed 500 g Chill Send out - call 7-10 days
Ionophore Screen (monensin, narasin, lasalocid, salinomycin)
Feed, Source, GI contents,
bile
50 g Chill/Freeze $40 $80 5-7 days
Iron
Serum , plasma (separated from clot prior to shipping) (SEE Trace Element Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Heavy Metal Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Lasalocid (SEE Ionophore Screen)
Lead
Blood (EDTA, heparin), urine 0.050-0.5 ml (requires only 50 ul so #1 50 ul hemotocrit tubes will suffice in avians) Chill $25 $50 1-3 days
Liver , kidney (cortex preferred) , gi contents (SEE Tissue Heavy Metal Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)
Magnesium
Serum , plasma, ocular fluid/intact eye , CSF (separated from clot prior to shipping) (SEE Trace Element Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Manganese
Blood (EDTA, heparin) 1 ml Chill $21 $42 5-7 days
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Heavy Metal Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)
Mercury
Blood (EDTA, heparin) urine 1 ml Chill $21.50 $43 5-7 days
Liver , kidney (cortex
preferred), gi contents
1 g Chill/Freeze $21.50 $43 5-7 days
Metaldehyde
Stomach contents , Source 10 g Freeze $40 $80 5-7 days
Serum, urine (DIFFICULT) 5-10 ml Freeze $40 $80 5-7 days
Molybdenum
Plasma (EDTA, heparin) 1 ml Chill $21 $42 5-7 days
Liver , kidney, gi contents (SEE Tissue Heavy Metal Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)

Monensin (SEE Ionophore Screen)

Mycotoxin Screen* (aflatoxin, vomitoxin, ochratoxin, zearalenone)
Feed 500 g Send out - call
Narasin (See Ionophore Screen)
Nitrate
Serum , plasma, ocular
fluid/intact eye , abomasal
contents (collected within 30
min. of death)
5 ml Freeze $12 $15 5-7 days
Soil 30 g $12 $15 5-7 days
Water 30 ml Freeze $12 $15 5-7 days
Feed 5 g $12 $18 (add $4 for drying and grinding) 5-7 days
Ochratoxin-A (see mycotoxin screen)
Organochlorine Pesticide Screen
Liver, kidney, fat 10 g Chill/Freeze $75 $150 7-10 days
GI contents , Source 50 g Chill/Freeze $75 $150 7-10 days
Organophosphate Pesticide Screen
Liver, kidney 10 g Chill/Freeze $75 $150 7-10 days
GI contents , Source 50 g Chill/Freeze $75 $150 7-10 days
Penitrem A (SEE Tremorgenic Mycotoxins)
pH
GI contents 50 g Freeze $8 $16 3-5 days
Urine, serum 2 ml Chill/Freeze $8 $16 3-5 days
Water, Source 100 ml Chill $8 $16 3-5 days
Phosphorus
Serum , plasma (separated
from clot prior to shipping)
(SEE Trace Element Screen)
1 ml Chill $12 $21 5-7 days
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Pindone (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Plant identification
Entire plant wrap in dry paper towel; place in paper bag $7.50 $7.50 2-4 days
GI contents Chill 5-7 days
Potassium
Serum , plasma, CSF
(separated from clot prior to
shipping)
1 ml Chill $12 $21 5-7 days
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Roquefortine (SEE Tremorgenic Mycotoxins)
Salinomycin (SEE Ionophore Screen)
Selenium
Blood (EDTA or heparin ),
serum, plasma
1 ml Chill $13 $21 5-7 days
Liver , kidney 1 g Chill/Freeze $13 $21 5-7 days
Hair 1 g $13 $21 5-7 days
Sodium
Serum , plasma, CSF
(separated from clot prior to
shipping)
1 ml Chill $12 $21 5-7 days
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Strychnine
GI contents , source 10 g Chill/Freeze $20 $40 1-3 days
Serum, urine 2 ml / 10 ml Chill/Freeze $20 $40 1-3 days
Liver 25 g Chill/Freeze $20 $40 3-5 days
Sulfur Liver, kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Theobromine
Stomach contents , urine 20 ml Chill/Freeze $20 $40 5-7 days
Tremorgenic Mycotoxins* (penitrem A, roquefortine)
Stomach contents , bile, urine,
liver
20 ml Chill/Freeze Send out - call
Urea
Feed , Source, GI contents 50 g Chill/Freeze $20 $40 3-5 days
Valone (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Vitamin E
Serum , plasma (must be
separated from clot prior to
shipping - no hemolysis;
protected from light)
1 ml Freeze $15 $30 3-5 days
Liver * 2 g Chill/Freeze Send out - call 7-10 days
Warfarin (SEE Anticoagulant Rodenticide Screen)
Zearalenone (see Mycotoxin screen)
Zinc
Serum , plasma (SEE Trace
Element Screen)
1 ml (0.2 ml minimum for small psittacine patients) Chill $12 $21 5-7 days
Liver , kidney , pancreas (SEE Tissue Heavy Metal Screen)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue Macro/Micro)
Liver , kidney (SEE Tissue HMS ICP-MS)
Zinc phosphide
GI contents , Source (airtight
container required- toxin is
volatile)
50g Freeze $50 $100 5-7 days
Other Screens
Serum Trace Element Screen (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc)
Serum , plasma (must be
separated from clot prior to
shipping) (lysis of RBCs may
affect iron, magnesium,
phosphorus, and zinc levels)
1 ml
Chill $12 $21 5-7 days
Tissue Heavy Metal Screen (copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, iron, lead, cadmium, arsenic)
Liver , kidney 1 g Chill/Freeze $15 $30 5-7 days
Tissue Macro/Micro Elemental Analysis (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, aluminum, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, barium, lead, zinc, arsenic)
Liver , kidney 1 g Chill/Freeze $30 $60 5-7 days
Tissue HMS by ICP-MS (vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, cadmium, barium, lead)
Liver, kidney
Any single element
1 g Chill, Freeze $60.50
$21
$121
$42
5-7 days
GC-MS Organic Tox Screen (call lab before requesting please)
GI contents , Source, Urine ,
Liver, Kidney
25 g Chill/Freeze $50 $100 5-7 days
1 Preferred tissue underlined in black
2
The lab can accommodate smaller sample volumes. Please call. MORE IS BETTER
3
Some analyses can be run STAT. Please call in advance

 * indicates sendout

$4 fee for drying/grinding any sample


Last Edited: May 04, 2007 5:09 PM
Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab. PO Box 647034 , Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-7010, 509-335-9696, Contact Us  Safety Links