Frequently Asked Questions
How do I order an all-inclusive “Tox Screen”?
There is no such test as an all-inclusive “Tox Screen” that can detect all toxins. In human medicine, the most common causes of intoxication are drug overdose - usually of illicit drugs – and alcohol, and the “Tox Screen” commonly referred to on television shows tests for these substances. In veterinary medicine, however, intoxications more often occur from exposure to pesticides, feed-related toxins, poisonous plants, bacterial and fungal toxins, exposure to human prescription medications, and other toxicants. We need to have some idea of the chemical structure of the suspected toxin in order to choose the appropriate specimen to test, sample preparation and extraction methods, analytical method and instrumentation parameters. We use information from the case history, clinical signs, baseline data such as serum biochemical profile and CBC results, and post-mortem findings to help narrow down the differential list of possible toxicants. This allows us to focus testing towards the most likely toxicants. If you are not certain what toxicological test to order, please contact Dr. Megan Romano at 859-257-8283 or megan.romano@uky.edu for assistance. Also see Sample Collection for Toxicology.