Veterinary Surgical Pathology

Biopsies, excised masses, bone, and whole organs are read by board-certified veterinary pathologist Dr. Eric Snook, DVM, PhD, DACVP. Most standard biopsies are reported within 1 to 2 business days of arrival, and we accept cases from veterinary practices nationwide.

At a glance

  • Read by: Eric Snook, DVM, PhD, DACVP
  • Standard evaluations: reported within 1 to 2 business days of receipt
  • Complex evaluations: usually 24 to 48 hours longer, depending on processing and decalcification
  • STAT: available for a small additional fee
  • Species: dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and other exotic species
  • Submit: through the Vetopathy portal, with discounted FedEx or UPS labels
  • Ship to: Vetopathy, 11700 Commonwealth Dr., Ste. 200, Louisville, KY 40299
  • Fee schedule: email info@vetopathy.com
  • Contracts: none

Standard and complex evaluations

Every histopathology case is either a standard or a complex evaluation, depending on what the specimen needs in the lab. If you are unsure which applies, call or email before you ship.

Standard evaluation

For biopsies and excised masses that can be processed routinely.

  • Skin and subcutaneous masses
  • Punch, wedge, and incisional biopsies
  • Excised soft tissue masses
  • Small organ and endoscopic biopsies
  • Up to four samples of the same suspected condition, such as several skin punches for suspected pemphigus foliaceus, are evaluated together as one case
  • A single mass or nodule counts as one site, and each additional distinct lesion is evaluated and reported separately

Turnaround: 1 to 2 business days from receipt.

Complex evaluation

For specimens that need decalcification, extensive trimming, or many slides to represent the lesion and its margins.

  • Any specimen that needs decalcification, including a single tooth
  • Bone biopsies
  • Mandibulectomy and maxillectomy specimens
  • Amputated limbs
  • Entire mammary chains
  • Whole organs, such as spleen, kidney, or eye

Turnaround: usually 24 to 48 hours longer than a standard evaluation.

Why it takes longer: bone and teeth must be decalcified before they can be sectioned, which takes additional reagents and technician time. Large specimens and whole organs need careful trimming and several slides so the sections represent the lesion, the surrounding tissue, and the margins that matter. Complex evaluations have their own category on the fee schedule.

What your report includes

Every report is written to answer the clinical question that prompted the biopsy.

  • A clear diagnosis, stated plainly whenever the tissue supports one.
  • Tumor grade using the recognized system for that tumor type, such as the Kiupel and Patnaik systems for canine mast cell tumors and established grading schemes for soft tissue sarcomas and mammary carcinomas.
  • Margin evaluation on excisional specimens, including bone margins on complex resections.
  • Special stains when indicated, such as PAS, Masson's trichrome, Prussian blue, and GMS, included with the standard histopathology service.
  • A clinical comment that explains what the findings mean for the patient, including prognostic context and useful next diagnostic steps (always referenced when possible).
  • An honest explanation when the sample does not allow a definitive diagnosis or a grade, so you know why and what would help.

Talk to the pathologist

You can reach Dr. Snook directly by call, text, or email. Planning a biopsy, deciding which lesion to sample, or talking through a report after it comes back are all part of the service. There is no phone tree.

Dr. Snook spent four years in clinical practice before pathology training and still does relief work, so reports are written with the next clinical decision in mind.

Getting the most from a biopsy

  1. Fix promptly in 10% neutral-buffered formalin, at roughly 10 parts formalin to 1 part tissue. Large specimens need a container big enough for formalin to surround the whole specimen. Do not freeze. We can send formalin jars on request.
  2. Mark the margins you care about with ink or a suture tag, and note them in the submission.
  3. Orient large specimens. For limbs, note proximal and distal. For jaw resections, see Oral Pathology.
  4. Send a thorough history: lesion type, location, distribution, duration, and response to any previous treatment.
  5. Include what you already know: cytology results, bloodwork, radiographs, CT images, and clinical photos can all be uploaded in the portal.
  6. List your differentials. If the histopathology does not match your clinical impression, the report can address that directly.

Other services

  • Oral pathology: oral biopsies and jaw resections are a particular focus, and we work closely with veterinary dentists. See Oral Pathology.
  • Cytology: read by board-certified clinical pathologist Dr. Anita Kiehl. See Cytology.
  • Immunohistochemistry: Dr. Snook designs the panel and interprets the results, with staining performed at a reference laboratory. Results are usually available 3 to 5 business days after ordering. Available markers include CD3, CD20, CD18 (canine), CD204, CD117, cytokeratin, desmin, Factor VIII, Melan-A, melanosome, MUM-1, MyoD, canine papillomavirus, SMA, synaptophysin, TTF-1, and vimentin.
  • Second opinions: send the tissue blocks or slides and the previous report for an independent review.
  • Dermatopathology review: a second review by a dermatopathologist can be added for challenging skin cases.

Common questions

How fast will I get results?

Standard evaluations are reported within 1 to 2 business days of the sample arriving. Complex evaluations usually take 24 to 48 hours longer. STAT handling is available for a small additional fee.

What is the difference between a standard and a complex evaluation?

A standard evaluation covers biopsies and excised masses that can be processed routinely. A complex evaluation covers specimens that need decalcification, extensive trimming, or many slides, such as teeth, bone, jaw resections, amputated limbs, mammary chains, and whole organs.

Why is a single tooth a complex evaluation?

Any specimen with bone or tooth must be decalcified before it can be sectioned. That step takes additional reagents and technician time, even for one tooth.

Can I send several biopsies from the same lesion?

Yes. Up to four samples of the same suspected condition are evaluated together as one case.

Do you grade tumors?

Yes, whenever an established grading system exists for the tumor type. If the sample does not allow grading, the report explains why.

Do you offer immunohistochemistry?

Yes. Dr. Snook designs the panel and interprets the results, with staining performed at a reference laboratory. Results are usually available 3 to 5 business days after ordering.

Do I need a contract?

No. There are no contracts and no obligation.

How do I get started?

Click "Submit a Sample" to create an account, then email info@vetopathy.com for the fee schedule and submission guidelines. We can send formalin jars if you need them.

Related reading

Questions about a case?

Call or text 513-204-9345, or email info@vetopathy.com.