The fee structure for histopathology cases at the Animal Health Laboratory is divided into food animal cases and companion animal/other species cases.

Food animal histopathology is a flat fee, but there are additional fees for cases where there are excessive tissues or extra slides prepared. For cases where there are tissues requiring pathologist examination, trimming, or sampling, an additional fee for pathologist time will apply. Food animal cases where there pathologist time is routinely applied includes, but is not limited to, subsampling tissues such as legs or plucks. Cases where tissues need additional processing or demineralization, such as bone or hoof, will incur additional charges for decalcification or hoof softening, respectively.

Non-food animal histopathology cases are separated into categories of Histology Class One, Class Two and Class Three (histcm1, histcm2, or histcm3, respectively) based on the number of tissues provided and/or the overall size of the tissues.

Histology Class One (histcm1)

• One or two specimens <6 cm at the largest dimension
• Multiple (6 or fewer in total) punch or Tru-cut Biopsies from 1-2 sites
• Multiple endoscopic biopsies from 1-2 sites.

Histology Class Two (histcm2)

• Three to Six specimens <6 cm at the largest dimension
• One biopsy 6-10 cm at the largest dimension
• Multiple (6 or fewer in total) punch or Tru-cut Biopsies from 3-4 sites
• Multiple endoscopic biopsies from 3-4 sites.

Histology Class Three (histcm3)

• More than 7 specimens (e.g. postmortem tissues)
• One biopsy >10 cm at the largest dimension
• Complex specimens such as amputations (digit or limb), splenectomies, brains, intestinal resections, mammary chains

Tumor margin assessment is available upon request for specimens larger than 2 cm, and this fee applies per tumor submitted. Please note that this dimension applies to the entire excisional biopsy, and not just the tumor.  Excisional biopsies are routinely inked during processing for histopathology, and margins may be assessed in the sections provided, but a detailed margin assessment requires additional slide preparation. In order to expedite results, requesting margins at the time of submission is best.

Similar to their food animal counterparts, those cases where pathologists are required to examine and sample the tissues are subject to additional fees for pathologist’s time. Tissues requiring additional processing, such as demineralization or nail softening will also incur additional fees.

If there is ever any confusion surrounding which tests to choose, or how to appropriately quote histopathology fees for your client, an avian or mammalian pathologist is available to help you.

Veterinarians can email ahlinfo@uoguelph.ca [1] or call the laboratory directly: Guelph 519-824-4120 ext 54530 or Kemptville 613-258-8320.