Products Categories: Laboratory Consumables

• Vet-Tube P, Li Heparin (plasma) – Orange Top
• Vet-Tube PG, Li Heparin (plasma) + GEL – Green Top
• Vet-Tube S, Plain (serum) – Clear Top
• Vet-Tube SG, Plain (serum) + GEL – Brown Top
• (screw-top for centrifuging)

The full range of Vet-Tube® covers the anticoagulants Potassium EDTA (liquid) and Lithium Heparin (dried). We also supply Vet-Tubes for serum (inert clotting agent) with and without separation gel, and for plasma (Lithium Heparin) with and without separation gel.

The different types of tubes have colour-coded tops and labels. The label is also specially designed for vets as it has spaces to record; the animal’s name, species, owner’s name, tests required and the date sampled. Fill volumes are typically 1.3ml but for Vet-Tube® with separation gel, the fill volume is 1.1ml.

(Please note that our EDTA Vet-Tube® is filled with liquid EDTA which allows it to be dissolved much faster than dry EDTA and reduces the incidence of micro-clots in samples)

Vet-Tubes are ideal for centrifuging small volumes of blood at high speeds/G-force and for secure sample transport to the laboratory. In particular, we recommend Vet-Tube® for use in our VetSpin Micro and VetSpin Duo microcentrifuges.

Our Vet-Tube® range is available directly from us or through your veterinary wholesaler.

The Vetlab Range

(2ml Tubes with standard 1.3ml or 1.1ml fill for GEL)

These tubes are very similar to Vet-Tube® in almost every way except that they are a less expensive option. The only other difference is that they have no mixing ring inside them and the EDTA version is pre-filled with dried EDTA rather than liquid EDTA. The label is also specially designed for vets as it has spaces to record; the animal’s name, species, owner’s name, tests required and the date sampled. Fill volumes are typically 1.3ml but for Vetlab with separation gel, the fill volume is 1.1ml. Our Vetlab range is also recommended for use in our range of centrifuges.

• Vetlab LH, Li Heparin (plasma) – Orange Top
• Vetlab LH, Li Heparin (plasma) + GEL – Orange Top
• Vetlab ZT, Plain (serum) – White Top
• Vetlab ZT, Plain (serum) + GEL – Brown Top
• Vetlab KE, EDTA – Pink Top
• (screw-top for centrifuging)

Our Vetlab range of blood collection tubes is only available directly from us and not from your wholesaler.

Other Sample Collection Tubes

We also supply other types of sample tubes which are detailed in our Price List Tab or our Catalogue. Our range includes; Fluoride Oxalate (yellow top), Sodium Citrate (mauve top), EDTA (pink top), Lithium Heparin (orange top) and Plain (white top) with no anticoagulant. Our fill volumes range from 0.5ml up to 2ml and can be; screw-top (for centrifuging) plug-top or push-top depending on your requirements.

For sample tubes that may have shorter expiry dates and are less frequently used, for example, Flouride Oxalate and Sodium Citrate blood collection tubes, we offer smaller bag sizes of 25 tubes to avoid wastage.

• Flouride Oxalate 2ml, 1.3ml Fill – Yellow Top, available in small bags of 25 Tubes
• Sodium Citrate 2ml, 1.3ml Fill – Mauve Top, available in small bags of 25 Tubes

Microcentrifuge Tubes (eppendorf, conical bottom, reaction)

Our microcentrifuge (1.5ml) tubes with integral push-top and conical bottom can also be referred to as either eppendorf or reaction tubes. This type of tube is useful for collecting serum/plasma samples from gel tubes and then storing them in the fridge or freezer. In addition, they are also ideal for centrifuging small volumes of urine for the microscopic examination of urinary sediment. Finally, we also supply a large 15ml volume conical bottom centrifuge tube for larger samples.

LipoClear tubes which are identical in size and shape to a 1.5ml microcentrifuge tube are pre-filled with LipoClear. These special tubes are used for clearing lipaemic samples which can interfere with a large number of clinical chemistry tests. We supply LipoClear in quantities of 10 or 40 pre-filled tubes.

Vet-Tube Rack 

Ideal for Holding Blood Collection Tubes and Microcentrifuge Tubes. This versatile storage rack can hold a combination of tubes, which makes it ideal when performing sequencing procedures or holding samples prior to processing.

The Vet-Tube rack has a dual conformation. On one side it takes 32 x 1.5ml – 2.0ml tubes (including our Vet-Tubes, Vetlab Tubes, Microcentrifuge tubes and 11mm test tubes) plus 8 x 0.5ml tubes. When reversed it accommodates 32 x 0.5ml tubes and 8 larger tubes. It is made from autoclavable plastic and comes complete with moulded indexing and a clear lift-off lid to protect your samples.

The Vet-Tube Rack comes in 5 different colours – blue, orange, pink, yellow and green.

Glass or Plastic Screw Top Plain 5ml Bottles 

These 5ml screw-top glasses or plastic bottles with no anticoagulant are used for collecting a variety of samples including:

• Urine and other body fluids
• Hair and skin scrapes

We can supply most types of blood collection tubes and if you can’t find what you are looking for then please contact us and we will be delighted to help. Telephone: 01798 874567

30ml Sample Containers

One of our most popular sizes is the Sterilin® brand of 30ml white-top specimen containers which are ideal for urine collection as well as many other samples. CE marked and labelled, we offer small packs of 10, packs of 100 and large quantities of 400.

30ml Sample Containers with Spoon (faeces collection)

Our blue-top 30ml universal containers contain a spoon and are used for the collection of faeces samples. These containers are CE marked, sterile, labelled and available in pack sizes of 10, 100 and 400.

30ml Boric Acid Containers, 5ml Boric Acid Bijou Vials (urine preservation)

Included in our range, we supply a 30ml red-top boric acid collection container for urine. Used for urine microscopy and culture these containers contain boric acid powder as a preservative. Boric acid holds the bacterial population steady for 50 – 95 hours, and other cellular components remain intact. Boric acid containers should only be used if the urine sample cannot be analysed within 4 hours after collection and should only be used for routine microbiology urine analyses.

Boric acid should never be used for Chlamydia testing, biochemistry tests and urine dip-stick tests. Using a plain sterile universal container is ideal for urine without preservative. It is important to remember that if you are sending urine samples to an outside laboratory, always check their sample requirements. Our Boric acid containers both 30ml and 5ml bijou vials are also supplied in small pack sizes of 10 and larger pack sizes of 100. Labelled and CE marked.

60ml Sample Containers

Also available are 60ml specimen containers supplied with a white-top, label, CE marked and sterile. Ideal for larger samples or specimens and can be purchased in quantities of 10, 100 and 300 units.

100ml & 250ml Sample Containers

These are ideal for larger samples where a more robust container is needed. Our 100ml and 250ml specimen containers are supplied with a metal cap and a flow seal inert liner screw-cap. Sterile, labelled and CE marked these large sample containers are supplied in convenient pack sizes of 10, 100 and 200.

To see our range of Bijou Sample Vials please follow this link

Culture, Disposable, Plastic Aseptic Inoculation Loops

Our Plastic Aseptic Inoculation Loops are a small simple tool used by veterinary laboratories and microbiologists investigating an inoculum from a culture of microorganisms. Inoculation loops are used to cultivate microbes on an agar plate transferring the inoculum for streaking and examining.

These inoculations loops are both sterile and aseptic. Aseptic loops are produced using HEPA filtration and from a moulding machine at 200°C and then packed in a sterile environment. This means the sterility assurance level of these loops is 10-3.

Available in 1µl and 10µl our inoculation loops are packaged in micro seal pouches of 20, which means you can keep them sterile for longer. All our loops are blue, 200mm in length, disposable and sold in quantities of 500 and 1000. Other sizes available, please contact us.

Disposable Weigh boats, Small Plastic Bowls 

These small plastic bowls or weighing boats are biologically inert and resistant to dilute and weak acids, aqueous solutions, bleaches and alcohols. 100ml fill, 8cm square and 2cm high with a shallow flat bottom to avoid tipping and temperature resistant up to +70 °C. These small plastic bowls are ideal for use in worm egg counts and are supplied in packs of 10.

Dropper Bottles

Our clear PVC dropper bottles are ideal for storing and dispensing small amounts of stable or semi-viscous material. This 15ml dropper bottle has a single plug hole and LDPE with a polypropylene screw cap.

Kimberley-Clark Lint Free Medical Tissues

KIMCARE – Professional Wipes For General Laboratory Use

When you need to clean something small or delicate, such as precision veterinary instruments or optics, only ever use a professional medical lint-free wipe. ‘Lint-free’ refers to a material which leaves no trace of residue or fluff after being used. These professional wipes are ideal for cleaning the surfaces of glass microscope slides before use as well as for wiping capillary tubes after sealing. Kimberly-Clark Professional lint-free medical wipes are disposable, biodegradable, delicate task wipes, intended for use in laboratories and industrial settings. Finally, KIMCARE medical wipes are made from 100% recycled tissue paper and contain 80 tissues per box.

Measuring /Mixing Cylinder 50ml with 1ml Blue Graduations

This graduated 50ml measuring /mixing cylinder is supplied with a hexagonal base for better stability. The cylinder has an anti-suction feature which prevents it from sticking to wet surfaces. Manufactured by Azlon, this ultra-clear polypropylene provides enhanced visibility and chemical resistance. The measuring cylinder features 1ml subdivisions, a spout and is extremely durable making it suitable for use in a variety of laboratory applications including worm egg counts. Available in single units.

Test Tubes

Our test tubes are made from polystyrene and are transparent with a round base.  Measuring 11mm x 63mm with a fill volume of 2.5ml, they can be centrifuged up to 4,000xg. Stoppers can be purchased separately if required.

Vet-Tube Rack – Ideal for Holding Blood Collection Tubes and Microcentrifuge Tubes

This versatile storage rack can hold a combination of tubes which, makes it ideal when performing sequencing procedures or holding samples prior to processing.

The Vet-Tube rack has a dual conformation. On one side it takes 32 x 1.5ml – 2.0ml tubes (including our Vet-Tubes, Vetlab Tubes, Microcentrifuge tubes and 11mm test tubes) plus 8 x 0.5ml tubes. When reversed it accommodates 32 x 0.5ml tubes and 8 larger tubes. It is made from autoclavable plastic and comes complete with moulded indexing and a clear lift-off lid to protect your samples.

The Vet-Tube Rack comes in 5 different colours – blue, orange, pink, yellow and green.

Wash Bottles 

The wash bottle is a 250ml polyethylene squeeze bottle with a nozzle, which is used to rinse various pieces of laboratory glassware including test tubes and round bottom flasks. It is sealed with a screw-top lid and, when hand pressure is applied to the bottle, the liquid becomes pressurised and forced through the nozzle into a narrow stream of liquid.

Wash bottles can be filled with a range of laboratory solvents and reagents, which may include distilled water, as well as detergent solutions and rinse solvents. Finally, wash bottles are particularly useful when preparing blood smears as they form part of the preparation protocol for Rapi-Diff staining.

Wooden Applicator or Mixing Sticks

Our multi-purpose wooden sticks measure 14cm in length and are ideal for specimen transfer, mixing and other laboratory applications such as drop transfers and spot test sampling. They are Ideal for making blood smears and other general laboratory applications. Supplied in boxes of 1000.

To see our range of Blood Collection Tubes, follow this link

To see our range of Universal Containers, follow this link

The accuracy and reliability of the laboratory examination depend on successful fixation and preservation. For best results, this must be accomplished as soon as possible after the sample is taken. An efficient fixative conserves the sample by stabilising proteins and other biological components, as well as protecting the sample from swelling or shrinking due to excessive gain or loss of water.

Ideally, the fixative also needs to prevent enzymes released by the lysis of damaged and dying tissue from further degrading cellular structures, and inhibit the formation of darkly coloured pigments that might obscure microscopic examination.

pH Neutral Phosphate Buffer-10%

Offering a safe and economic approach to handling the toxic nature of formalin and its limited shelf life, Vetlab’s range of 20ml, 60ml, 90ml and 120ml pre-filled histology pots contains a 10% pH neutral phosphate buffer with a shelf-life of 2-3 years. Osmotically balanced to prevent cell lysis, the buffered solution reduces sample distortion and counters the build-up of coloured pigments, assuring the user of an optimal sample ready for a wide range of veterinary, laboratory and microscopy applications.

To see our range of Empty Histology Pots from 20ml up to 5L Buckets follow this link

How to use Rapi-Diff 11

Briefly, the smear is air dried and then immersed in “Solution A” fixing solution (Thiazine dye in methanol) for a least 5 seconds or longer. Then holding the microscope slide at one end, the smear is dipped in and out of “Solution B” (Eosin Y in phosphate buffer) five times allowing 1-2 seconds per dip. After the last dip, the excess stain is drained off onto absorbent paper and rinsed off with phosphate buffer pH 6.8. The process is repeated in “Solution C” (Polychromed Methylene Blue in phosphate buffer) to give the smear a purple colour, washed with buffer and air dried before being examined under the microscope. With this procedure, red/blue staining intensities can be adjusted by varying the number of dips in Solution B or C.

To see our Microscope consumables follow this link