Prothrombin Time (PT)

Lab Section	Clinical Pathology
Test Description	Timed test assessing the ability of the extrinsic and common pathway coagulation factors to produce a fibrin clot.
Species	Canine, feline, equine

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Sample Type	Plasma from sodium citrate tube. Our clinical pathology laboratory does not recommend using microtainer tubes for coagulation tests as they are more likely to cause spurious/unacceptable results. Please instead use properly filled 1.8 mL or larger sodium citrate tubes if at all possible.
Special Submission Instructions	Transfer plasma from a properly filled sodium citrate tube into a plastic tube. Freeze until shipment. Ship sample overnight with cold packs. For species other that equine, canine, and feline also send sodium citrate plasma from a normal animal. Samples collected in microtainers will have the following comment added to test reports: “Reference interval generation and test validation were performed using 1.8 mL sodium citrate tubes with direct Vacutainer collection. Microtainers/pediatric tubes are not recommended for coagulation testing in our laboratory, as sample collection and processing methods may decrease the accuracy of results. The validity of these results cannot be guaranteed.
Turnaround time	1 business day

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory and Missouri’s only laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The VMDL is a Level I Lab of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Tier I Lab of the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Response Network, and a National Poultry Improvement Plan authorized lab. The VMDL maintains an effective quality assurance and quality control program.

The VMDL has formal anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, and clinical microbiology training programs. The VMDL faculty hold academic appointments in the Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. The director is administratively responsible to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for the overall operation of the laboratory and its multiple missions of public service, teaching, research and continuing education/extension.

The VMDL faculty and staff work diligently to provide relevant, timely and cost-effective diagnostic services to our clients and to create a positive learning environment for our students and residents. In 2023, the VMDL processed approximately 64,924 accessions and performed more than 207,026 laboratory tests, which represents a 10.67 percent increase in diagnostic accessions and 17.54 percent increase in laboratory tests compared to 2022. The diagnostic service was utilized by veterinarians, owners, and researchers from 110 Missouri counties and independent cities and 28 other states.