Most test results come back within a week or so
Computed Tomography (CT/CAT scan)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Cytology (Fine needle aspirate)
Biopsy (histopathology)
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- Complete Blood Counts, Serum Chemistry, and many in-house tests can be back within minutes to a few hours
- Some types of tests sent out will be back in a day or two
- Other tests may take a few weeks for final results
Imaging
- Radiographs (X-rays)
- Standard films generally only take minutes if they can be done on an unsedated pet
- Films requiring sedation or anesthesia may take an hour or two to coordinate
- Myelogram
- Excretory urogram (aka Intravenous Pyelogram - IVP)
- A barium series / upper GI contrast study will take several hours, and sometimes the final film is taken the next day
- Radiologist review
- If your films are sent to a radiologist to review, the report will not be back for a few hours, and possibly not until the next day
- Ultrasound
- 5 to 30+ minutes depending on the extent of the study; however, the timing when the study can be performed often must be worked into a doctor's busy schedule
- If your films are sent to a radiologist or internal medicine specialist to review, the report will not be back for a few hours, and possibly not until the next day
- Computed Tomography
- Studies may take minutes or several hours.
- Top of the line Vimago CT (available at the Animal Emergency and Referral Center), a study may literally take under a minute.
- Your pet will need only light sedation rather full general anesthesia.
- If your films are sent to a radiologist to review, the final report will not be back for several hours, and possibly not until the next day
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- With the low-field magnets used by all of the MRI's in the veterinary hospitals in Brevard County, the studies may take several hours and result in limited diagnostic ability.
- High-field magnet MRI studies are much more rapid and diagnostic.
- Available at the University of Florida and other veterinary hospitals within a few hours.
- Human MRIs are high field magnets, but most are unwilling to allow animals in their facilities. Maybe you have a connection that can facilitate this?
Cytology (fine needle aspirate, smears, or scrapings of cells on a slide)
- In-house cytology can yield results in minutes
- Samples sent to an outside laboratory should generally yield results within a day, but sometimes it is longer
Histopathology (biopsy samples sent to a pathologist)
- Results are often available within 3-5 days.
- Stat results may expedite things by a day, but there are limitations, as the tissue has to fix/harden in formalin for a period of time before it can even be sectioned/cut and evaluated by the pathologist.
- Bone and hard/calcified tissue may take 7-10 days to process
- Immunohistochemistry, Special Stains, and other advanced testing may take a couple weeks more.
Culture and Sensitivity (testing for the presence of bacteria (or other organisms) and identifying which antimicrobials are appropriate
- Prelimary results are often available within 3 days
- Final results are usually available in 7 days
- Fungal cultures may take 4 weeks to be deemed negative
Calculi (stone) analysis (generally for urinary bladder, gall bladder, or kidney stones)
- University of Minnesota offers FREE testing, though it generally takes 12-18 days for a result.
- Free does not include shipping.
- Faster results can be obtained elsewhere, but at additional cost
Generally speaking, if you are expecting results and have not heard back within a week, contact Dr. Christiansen to find out when you should expect answers