April 2020

Test Sample Size Guidelines

By Rachel Corn, VT

To ensure the best possible results from testing, a correct sample size is necessary. Some tests can be completed on a very small amount of sample, while others require a larger section.

Below is a table with some of the common tests and the appropriate sample size. If you are requesting that more than one test be completed on a single sample, a larger sample will be required. In all cases, it never hurts to send an extra sample, in case additional testing is needed.

TEST	SAMPLE	EQUAL TO SIZE OF:
Fecal Float	0.2 oz of feces	1 Hershey Kiss
Culture	For fresh tissue: A good rule of thumb is to send a piece 3 in. x 3 in.	1 tennis ball
PCR	0.2 oz of tissue or feces or 2.0 ml of fluid/whole blood	1 large marshmallow
Serology	0.5 ml of serum for most tests	-
Virology	0.5 ml of serum for most tests	-
Necropsy histopathology	Tissue no more than 0.5 in. thick	-
Histopathology on a mass or spleen	The entire mass or spleen	-

For more information, please visit Tests and Fees or call Client Care at 866-512-5650.

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