April 2019

Trace Mineral Testing

By Rachel Corn, VT

Trace mineral testing is a valuable tool for bovine herds that are experiencing lower than expected production levels, less than optimal herd health, weak or still born calves, or reproductive program failures.

Trace mineral testing is just one of the new offering that we have recently added at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL).

If you are submitting samples for this test there are a few things to consider.

Testing can be completed on serum (2.0 ml), fresh/frozen liver (10 mg) or feed (454 gm).

For serum samples it is important to use a royal blue top tube, also known as a trace mineral tube, because the rubber stoppers in other tubes may contain several minerals which can adversely affect the test results. There are two types of the royal blue trace mineral tubes. One contains EDTA, the other does not. Please use the tube that does NOT contain EDTA.

Ideally, centrifuging and placing the serum in another royal top tube for shipment would be best. Please ship as soon as possible after collection and keep the sample cold both before and during shipment.

The KSVDL Trace Mineral Panel (TOX-4000) is $50.00 and includes 14 minerals: calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. We also offer a Single Element Analysis (TOX-2012): $25.00 for each mineral listed above.

Trace mineral tubes can be ordered by calling KSVDL client care at 866-512-5650 or emailing clientcare@vet.k-state.edu . Trace mineral tubes are $1.00 each, plus shipping.

For more information about this test and all the other tests performed at KSVDL, please go to www.ksvdl.org and click on Tests and Fees.

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