Biopsy and Necropsy Services

The Department of Veterinary Pathology provides diagnostic surgical pathology service to the Veterinary Medical Center and we offer the same service to veterinary practitioners. Necropsy services also are available. Our staff includes seven ACVP board-certified veterinary anatomic pathologists and three histotechnologists. Our goal is to provide the highest quality diagnostic service to support the professional services of veterinarians and researchers.

What services do we provide?

We provide veterinary diagnostic histopathology service for biopsies submitted to us, including tumor diagnosis and dermatohistopathology.   

Our response goal is to fax or e-mail a written report to our clients within 24 hours of receiving a specimen. Specimens requiring decalcification or special stains will usually require additional time.
 

July 1, 2022 Pricing

  • Specimens from 1 organ or lesion - $75.00
  • GI Biopsy - $88.00
  • Specimens from 2 different organs or lesions - $90.00
  • Additional Biopsies >2 - $13.50 each
  • Surgical 6+cm - $110.00
  • Decalcification - $30.00
  • Complete Necropsy* (including histopathologic exam of a complete dog, cat or other companion animals) - $120.00
    Please call 515-291-5209 for ALL Necropsy deliveries.

*Charges for microbiology cultures are not included in the necropsy fee
*Additional charges may be applied for toxicology or referral testing

How do you submit a biopsy to us?

  ATTENTION: USPS updated their STAMPED MAIL policy on October 1, 2019. Any packages >10oz and >1/2in. thickness cannot be mailed with regular stamps. Postage Meters, PC Postage, & mailing from the post office is OK. All others will be returned to sender as NOT DELIVERABLE.
Visit: https://pe.usps.com/FederalRegisterNotice/Index                                                          

Fill out the Department of Veterinary Pathology Histopathology Submission form and submit it with the specimen. You can easily print this form from our website (PDF format).  You may need to download Acrobat Reader. Please send only one copy of the submission form with your sample(s).

Place the biopsy specimen in a sealed, wide-mouth plastic bottle (no glass containers, please) that contains 10-20 volumes of 10% neutral buffered formalin. Wrap parafilm (no packing tape, please) around the lid and place the labeled bottle in a plastic bag with absorbent material (paper towel). Place inside a sturdy cardboard box and ship by the carrier of your choice to:

Iowa State University
Department of Veterinary Pathology
1800 Christensen Drive
2703 Veterinary Medicine
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1134

Specimens sent via mail or other carrier are required by law to be in a leak proof container, placed in a sealed bag with absorbent material suitable for absorbing a leak, and surrounded by a hard container (cardboard box) to protect it from impact.  The visible part of the mailing container must include the destination and return address.  

The shipper has the responsibility to package these specimens in the manner described.

If you would like a kit that includes request forms, bottles, mailers, and return labelswe will gladly send these items to you. Please click here to print your request and fax to: (515) 294-7730. 

Mailing Specimens During Cold Weather

Who should you contact with questions or supply requests?

Please feel free to contact us if you have a question about our services.

General information, forms and mailer kits
Histopathology Laboratory,
Department of Veterinary Pathology
(515) 294-3282 or amlacoco@iastate.edu
Fax: (515) 294-4328
        (515) 294-7730

Technical information
Amanda La Coco
Manager Diagnostic Laboratory
(515) 294-3658 amlacoco@iastate.edu

Dr. Amanda Fales-Williams, DVM, PhD
Professor and Chair
(515) 294-7445 or afales@iastate.edu

Access to Clinical Pathology and Histopathology Reports
(http://vetpath.cvm.iastate.edu)