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Animal Health Diagnostic Center

Improving the health of animals, animal populations and wildlife

Feline Diagnostic Plans and Panels

The following diagnostic plans have been developed primarily as an educational tool to assist the veterinarian in designing a complete, although not exhaustive, diagnostic strategy. To encourage veterinarians to select only the tests that are deemed clinically appropriate in each situation, the price of the diagnostic plan is not discounted from the sum of the individual test costs.

For the test groupings labeled as panels, there may be a discounted price versus the costs of the individual tests. Diagnostic plans and panels can be requested by writing the complete name as the test request. If appropriate samples are included all tests will be performed.

Antimicrobial susceptibilities for culture isolates are available upon request at an additional charge.

Print Plans and Panels

Coagulation Panel + Fibrinogen

Panel Code: COAGFIB

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Fibrinogen FIB
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
Prothrombin Time PT
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
Thrombin Clotting Time TCT
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) APTT
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)

Notes

Ship chilled.

Coagulation Panel, Small Animal

Panel Code: COAGPS

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Prothrombin Time PT
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
Thrombin Clotting Time TCT
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) APTT
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)

Notes

Ship chilled.

DIC Panel, Small Animal

Panel Code: DICP

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Antithrombin AT3
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
D-dimer Quantitative DDIQ
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
Fibrinogen FIB
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
Prothrombin Time PT
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) APTT
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)

Notes

Ship chilled.

Feline Abortion/Fading Kitten Serology Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Feline Herpes virus (FHV) (Rhinotracheitis) SN FHVSN
  • Maternal serum (separated)
Feline Immunodef Virus (FIV) ELISA FIVK
  • 1ml serum or plasma
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Virus FELV
  • 1ml serum or plasma
Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia) HI FPVHI
  • Maternal serum (separated)
Feline blood typing FELBT
  • Maternal EDTA whole blood in lavender top tube

Notes

Ship chilled.

When acute samples are received, the serologic assays will be run at that time, and samples retained. If second, convalescent samples are later submitted, please note the accession number for the acute serology. Tests on both samples will be run in parallel and paired results should be interpreted. No fee will be applied to the second test performed on the acute sample at the time of the paired testing.

If not previously performed a Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) ELISA and a Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) kinetic ELISA may be warranted.

Feline Abortion/Fading Kitten Tissue Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
(3) Aerobic Bacterial Culture AER
  • (3) fresh tissue samples: lung, placenta, and stomach contents (labeled and individually bagged)
Feline Herpes virus (FHV) FA FHVFA
  • Fresh tissue: lung, kidney, liver, adrenal, spleen
Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia) FA FPVFA
  • Tied off loop of bowel (ileum, jejunum) with contents (fresh)
Histopathology HISTO
  • Formalin fixed tissue: placenta, liver, lung, brain, adrenal, heart, thymus, small intestine, kidney, fetal skin
Leptospira PCR LEPTPCR
  • Fetal kidney and placenta (preferred), fetal lung
Toxoplasma gondii MAT TMAT
  • Fetal heart blood (serum) (preferred); peritoneal, pericardial, and pleural fluid acceptable

Notes

Ship fresh tissue chilled and protect fixed tissue from freezing. If full necropsy desired, see Necropsy Testing.

Feline Combination: FeLV/ FCoV/FIV/Toxo

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) kinetic ELISA FCOV
  • 2ml Serum (separated)
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) ELISA FELV
  • 2ml Serum (separated)
Feline Toxoplasmosis ELISA FETOX
  • 2ml Serum (separated)
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) kinetic ELISA FIVK
  • 2ml Serum (separated)

Feline Dermatology Diagnostic Plan

All skin biopsy submissions should be accompanied by a Dermatohistopathology Submission Form.

For additional guidance refer to Dermatopathology Sampling Guide.

Deep lesion

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Acid fast stain AFS
  • (2) fresh skin biopsies in plain red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline to keep moist (not wet)
Aerobic Bacterial Culture AER
  • (2) fresh skin biopsies in plain red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline to keep moist (not wet)
  • +/- Swab from deep in tissue placed in aerobic transport media (Amies with charcoal)
Fungal Culture FUNGCM
  • (2) fresh skin biopsies in plain red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline to keep moist (not wet)
  • +/- Swab from deep in tissue placed in aerobic transport media (Amies with charcoal)
Fungal KOH Fluorescent Stain FUNGKOH
  • Nails, skin scrapings or 10-12 hairs from border lesion; combings from asymptomatic cats (dermatophytes)
  • Fresh tissue or bodily fluids (systemic fungi/yeast)
  • Prepared slide
Gram Stain GRAM
  • (2) fresh skin biopsies in plain red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline to keep moist (not wet)
Histopathology (biopsy) HISTO
  • Multiple formalin fixed skin biopsies.

Superficial lesion

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Fungal Culture FUNGCM
  • (1) hair and skin scraping for fungal culture and gram stain sent in a sealable paper envelope
Fungal KOH Fluorescent Stain FUNGKOH
  • Nails, skin scrapings or 10-12 hairs from border lesion; combings from asymptomatic cats (dermatophytes)
  • Fresh tissue or bodily fluids (systemic fungi/yeast)
  • Prepared slide
Gram Stain GRAM
  • (1) hair and skin scraping for fungal culture and gram stain sent in a sealable paper envelope
Histopathology (biopsy) HISTO
  • Multiple formalin fixed skin biopsies.
Skin Scraping SSE
  • (1) skin scraping for ectoparasite identification in an escape proof, nonporous container

Notes

Deep lesion samples: Ship chilled and protect fixed tissue from freezing.

Superficial lesion samples: Ship at room temperature and protect from temperature extremes. Protect slides from formalin exposure.

Feline Diarrhea Diagnostic Plan

Ante mortem

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Aerobic Bacterial Culture AER
  • Fecal swab in Amies transport media
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof sterile container
Campylobacter jejuni Culture CAMPYJ
  • Fecal swab in Amies transport media with charcoal (preferred)
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof sterile container
Canine Parvovirus Real Time PCR PARVPCR
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof container

Coronavirus PCR, Alpha

Feline Enteric Coronavirus/FIP PCR
ACOR
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof container
Cryptosporidium ELISA CRYPTO
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof container
Fecal Flotation FLOAT
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof container
Giardia ELISA GIARD
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof container
Salmonella culture SALM
  • Fecal swab in Amies transport media
  • Fresh fecal sample in sterile container (fill to line on container but do not overfill) or in ParaPak® transport media to assist with Salmonella recovery
Trichomonas Fecal Exam TFE
  • Rectal swab (preferred sample) or fresh fecal swab in tritrichomonas In-Pouch®
Vitamin B12 & Folate Combination B12F
  • Serum (separated)

Necropsy

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Aerobic Bacterial Culture AER
  • Intestinal swab or fecal swab in Amies transport media
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof sterile container
  • Fresh intestine in leak-proof sterile container
Campylobacter jejuni Culture CAMPYJ
  • Intestinal swab or fecal swab in Amies transport media with charcoal (preferred)
  • Fresh feces or colon contents in leak-proof sterile container
  • Tied off loop of bowel with contents (fresh) in sterile container

Coronavirus PCR, Alpha

Feline Enteric Coronavirus/FIP PCR
ACOR
  • Fresh feces or colon contents in leak-proof container
  • Tied off loop of bowel with contents (fresh)
Cryptosporidium ELISA CRYPTO
  • Fresh feces or colon contents in leak-proof container
Fecal Flotation FLOAT
  • Fresh feces or colon contents in leak-proof container
Feline Enteric Coronavirus FA FECVFA
  • Tied off loop of bowel with contents (fresh)
Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia) FA FPVFA
  • Tied off loop of bowel (ileum, jejunum) with contents (fresh)
Giardia ELISA GIARD
  • Fresh feces or colon contents in leak-proof container
Histopathology HISTO
  • Formalin-fixed tissue: full set of tissues (including multiple sections of intestinal tract)
Salmonella culture SALM
  • Intestinal or fecal swab in Amies transport media
  • Fresh tied off loop of bowel (ileum or jejunum) in sterile container
  • Fresh fecal sample in sterile container (fill to line on container but do not overfill) or in ParaPak® transport media to assist with Salmonella recovery
Trichomonas Fecal Exam TFE
  • Rectal swab (preferred) or fresh fecal swab in tritrichomonas In-Pouch®

Notes

Ante mortem samples: Ship chilled except for ParaPak® and In-Pouch® which should be kept at room temperature.

Necropsy samples: Ship chilled except for ParaPak® and In-Pouch® which should be kept at room temperature. Protect fixed tissue from freezing.

In kittens less than 10 days of age an Aerobic bacterial culture on feces should also be considered.

Feline Respiratory Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Aerobic Bacterial Culture AER
  • Swab of transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or swab of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in Amies transport media or BAL/TTW fluid in red top tube
  • Fresh lung
Anaerobic Bacterial Culture ANAER
  • Swab of transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or swab of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in anaerobic transport media
  • Fresh lung (>2-3 cm in diameter, minimum size)
  • Swab of lung or piece of lung tissue aseptically collected and immediately placed in anaerobic transport media
Chlamydia felis PCR CFEL
  • Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in red top tube
  • Conjunctival swab in red top tube with 0.5 ml saline
  • Fresh lung, conjunctival tissue
Fecal Flotation FLOAT
  • Fresh feces in leak-proof container
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) FA FCVFA
  • Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in red top tube
  • Fresh lung
Feline Herpes virus (FHV) FA FHVFA
  • Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in red top tube
  • Fresh lung
Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia) FA FPVFA
  • Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in red top tube
  • Nasal or conjunctival swab in red top tube with 0.5 ml saline
  • Fresh ileum, jejunum

Feline Resp Panel PCR & VI

*Panel consists of multiple PCR assays: Bordetella bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma felis, Chlamydia felis, Pneumovirus, Influenza A virus (all subtypes), Mycoplasma cynos, and Streptococcus zooepidemicus, and detects Feline herpesvirus (vial rhinotracheitis) and Feline calicivirus by virus isolation.
MDPFRP
  • Nasal or pharyngeal swabs in viral transport media or a red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline
  • Transtracheal wash (TTW) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in red top tube
  • Fresh lung
Histopathology HISTO
  • Formalin-fixed tissue: full set of tissues
Mycoplasma Culture MYCOPL
  • Swab of transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or swab of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in Amies transport media or BAL/TTW in red top tube
  • Fresh lung
Small Animal Hemogram SA CBC
  • (2) air dried blood smears
  • EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube)
Tracheal Wash Cytology TWE
  • Tracheal wash fluid in EDTA
  • Smears (at least 2-3 unstained smears preferred)
  • Also submit a red-top tube if culture is anticipated

Notes

Ship chilled except for slides. Protect slides from formalin exposure.

TTW fluid is a superior sample for detection of significant bacterial pathogens causing lower airway disease. Results of nasal or pharyngeal swab cultures must be interpreted with caution as many bacterial organisms may be present as normal commensals in the upper respiratory tract.

It may be helpful to collect and bank a serum sample for acute and convalescent serology.

**Testing for heartworm may also be indicated. Please request separately.

Feline Liver Function Plan

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Bile Acids, Fasting Panel BA-F P
  • Serum (separated)
Bile Acids, Post-Prandial Panel BA-PP P
  • Serum (separated)
Protein C PROTC
  • 2ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top tube and then separated and transferred)
Small Animal Chemistry Panel SA P
  • Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube) or
  • Serum (separated)

Notes

Ship chilled.

Pre-prandial bile acid sampling should be done before the animal is fed at their routine meal time (e.g. morning), and the post-prandial sample drawn 2 hours later. If only one sample can be collected, the post-prandial sample is preferred.

Feline Neurologic Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Aerobic bacterial culture AER
  • (1) swab inoculated with CSF and placed in aerobic transport media (Amies with charcoal)
  • CSF sample taken using sterile technique and placed in aerobic blood culture media (preferred) or in sterile red top tube
  • Fresh brain placed in sterile container
Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology CSFE
  • CSF in EDTA (purple top tube)
(2) Cryptococcus Antigen CRYPTA
  • CSF sample taken using sterile technique and placed in sterile red top tube
  • Heart blood (serum), peritoneal, pleural, or pericardial fluid in sterile red top tube
  • Serum (separated)
Fungal Culture FUNGCM
  • (1) swab inoculated with CSF and placed in aerobic transport media (Amies with charcoal)
  • CSF sample taken using sterile technique and placed in blood culture media (preferred) or in sterile red top tube
  • Fresh brain placed in sterile container
Histopathology HISTO
  • Full set of fixed tissues placed in formalin, including multiple sections of brain and spinal cord.
Toxic Heavy Metal Panel THMP
  • Fresh liver or kidney
  • EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube), heparin whole blood (green top tube), or citrate whole blood (blue top tube)
West Nile Virus (WNV) PCR WNVPCR
  • CSF sample taken using sterile technique and placed in sterile red top tube
  • Fresh brain placed in sterile container

Notes

Ship chilled and protect fixed tissue from freezing. Please indicate if rabies testing is pending.

See Tissues for Rabies Diagnosis for photos of brain samples needed for rabies testing.

May also want to consider Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology which requires CSF in EDTA tube (LTT) and (2) air dried slides of CSF. Protect slides from formalin exposure.

Feline Respiratory PCR & VI Panel

Panel Code: MDPFRP

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Bordetella PCR BORD
  • Nasal swab, pharyngeal swab; or tracheal wash; bronchoalveolar lavage or upper airway tissue, lung
Chlamydia felis PCR CFEL
  • Nasal swab, pharyngeal swab; or tracheal wash; bronchoalveolar lavage or upper airway tissue, lung
Influenza Virus Matrix PCR IVMPCR
  • Nasal swab, pharyngeal swab; or tracheal wash; bronchoalveolar lavage or upper airway tissue, lung
Mycoplasma cynos PCR MCYN
  • Nasal swab, pharyngeal swab; or tracheal wash; bronchoalveolar lavage or upper airway tissue, lung
Mycoplasma felis PCR MFEL
  • Nasal swab, pharyngeal swab; or tracheal wash; bronchoalveolar lavage or upper airway tissue, lung
Pneumovirus N RT-qPCR PNVPCR
  • Nasal swab, pharyngeal swab; or tracheal wash; bronchoalveolar lavage or upper airway tissue, lung
Streptococcus zooepidemicus PCR SZT
  • Nasal swab, pharyngeal swab; or tracheal wash; bronchoalveolar lavage or upper airway tissue, lung
Virus Isolation VI
  • Nasal swab, pharyngeal swab; or tracheal wash; bronchoalveolar lavage or upper airway tissue, lung

Feline Vaccine Panel 1

Panel Code: FVP1

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Feline Herpes virus (FHV) (Rhinotracheitis) SN FHVSN
  • 1ml Serum (separated)
Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia) HI FPVHI
  • 1ml Serum (separated)

Notes

Ship chilled.

Feline Vaccine Panel 2

Panel Code: FVP2

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) SN FCVSN
  • 1ml Serum (separated)
Feline Herpes virus (FHV) (Rhinotracheitis) SN FHVSN
  • 1ml Serum (separated)
Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia) HI FPVHI
  • 1ml Serum (separated)

Notes

Ship chilled.

Feline Vaccine Panel 3

Panel Code: FVP3

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) SN FCVSN
  • 1ml Serum (separated)
Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia) HI FPVHI
  • 1ml Serum (separated)

Notes

Ship chilled.

Feline Fever of Unknown Origin Diagnostic Plan

If case is chronic, virus isolation can be omitted if desired. If not previously performed a large animal chemistry panel may be warranted and serum (separated) or heparinized plasma would need to be submitted.

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
(3) Blood Culture, Aerobic BLDAER
  • (3) inoculated aerobic/fungal blood culture bottles
(3) Blood Culture, Anaerobic BLDAN
  • (3) inoculated anaerobic blood culture bottles
Feline Immunodeficient Virus ELISA FIVK
  • 1ml serum or plasma
Feline Leukemia Virus ELISA FELV
  • Serum, plasma or whole blood
Fibrinogen (heat-precipitation) FIB-SCH
  • (2) tubes EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube)
Hemogram (CBC), Small Animal
examination for blood parasites included 		SA CBC
  • (2) air dried blood smears
  • (2) tubes EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube)
Small Animal Chemistry Panel SA P
  • Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube) or
  • Serum (separated)
(2) Virus Isolation
nasal, whole blood 		VI
  • (2) tubes EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube)
  • Nasal swab in 0.5ml sterile saline to keep moist (not wet)

Notes

Ship chilled except for blood culture bottles and slides which are shipped at room temperature.

See Blood Culture Technique for more information. To order blood culture bottles go to shipping services or call 607.253.3935.

It may be helpful to collect and bank a serum sample for possible acute and convalescent serology.

This diagnostic plan is designed to detect a broad spectrum of systemic bacterial, viral, and some blood parasite causes of acute fever of unknown origin, as well as certain inflammatory changes which may assist in determining the underlying problems. Viral causes of illness are best detected acutely and most are unlikely to be detected in a patient with a chronic fever of unknown origin. This plan is intended to be used as an adjunct to targeted, disease-specific testing appropriate to the species, clinical history and geographic location or conditions. See Small Animal Internal Medicine, 5th Edition, 2014, Nelson RW and Couto CG; Chapter 88: Fever of Unknown Origin, pages 1279-1282 for other ideas of testing.

Fungal Serology Panel

Panel Code: FUNGSER

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Aspergillus Antibody ASPERA
  • 1-2ml serum (separated)
Blastomyces Antibody BLASTA
  • 1-2ml serum (separated)
Coccidioides Antibody COCCA
  • 1-2ml serum (separated)
Cryptococcus Antigen CRYPTA
  • 1-2ml serum (separated) - Cerebrospinal Fluid only valid for Cryptococcus antigen test.
Histoplasma Antibody HISTOA
  • 1-2ml serum (separated)

Notes

Ship chilled.

Hemophilia Panel, Small Animal

Panel Code: HEM89P

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Clotting Factor (08) FVIII Activity CF08
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).
Clotting Factor (09) FIX Activity CF09
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).
Prothrombin Time PT
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).
Thrombin Clotting Time TCT
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).
aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) APTT
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).
von Willebrand factor (vWF:Ag) VWF
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).

Notes

Ship chilled.

Hemostasis Panel, Small Animal

Panel Code: HEMOP

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Prothrombin Time PT
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).
Thrombin Clotting Time TCT
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).
aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) APTT
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).
von Willebrand factor (vWF:Ag) VWF
  • 2-3ml separated citrate plasma in plastic or siliconized glass tube (blue top and then separated and transferred).

Notes

Ship chilled.

Mineral Panel (Tissue, Feed)

Panel Code: MINP

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Mo MINP
  • Submit 2 grams of tissue or 100g of feed. This is done primarily for copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) but the other elements are reported as well.

Notes

Ship tissue chilled.

Thyroid Panel, Feline: FT4d, T4, T3, TSH

Panel Code: THYPFEL

Tests Performed Test Code Samples Needed
Free-T4 by dialysis baseline (FT4d) FT4
  • 2-2.5ml serum (separated) from plain red top collection tube, with no additives and no serum separator tubes.
T3 (Triiodothyronine) baseline T3
  • 2-2.5ml serum (separated) from plain red top collection tube, with no additives and no serum separator tubes.
T4 (Thyroxine) baseline T4
  • 2-2.5ml serum (separated) from plain red top collection tube, with no additives and no serum separator tubes.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone baseline TSH
  • 2-2.5ml serum (separated) from plain red top collection tube, with no additives and no serum separator tubes.

Notes

Ship chilled.