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How do I order an IDEXX Reference Lab test?

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Animana supports the ordering of laboratory tests via IDEXX Reference Labs and VetConnect PLUS. After reading this article you will be able to place an order to an IDEXX Reference Lab from the patient file and you will understand how you can see results.

Before you start

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  • You need to have an active VetConnect PLUS account. A VetConnect PLUS account is free and can be obtained through https://www.vetconnectplus.com/login. They will give you credentials for the VetConnect PLUS ordering and results download modules.
  • In Settings > General settings > User management: make sure all the vets have their usertype set to “vet”, so they can be selectable in the ordering module and are able to submit an order.
  • The VetConnect PLUS module needs to be set up first. Before proceeding with this article, make sure to follow the instructions on this article.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open the patient file of the patient you wish to request a test for.
  2. Click IDEXX Reference Lab. You will find this option at the end of the blue action buttons at the top of the patient file – either pre-selected or in the Diagnostics drop-down menu.
  3. The following information is requested:
    • “Gender”: autofilled from patient information in Animana.
    • “Species”: autofilled from patient information in Animana.
    • “Breed”: optional, Animana breed shown above the field.
    • “Lab account ID”: only when there are multiple Lab Account ID’s configured will an additional selection of lab nickname and lab account ID be available.
    • “Veterinarian”: select the vet requesting the test.
    • “Notes”: add where necessary.
  4. Click Order. This will open the VetConnect PLUS screen.
  5. Select the tests you want to request. You can request multiple tests at once.
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    Tip: clicking the link Details behind a test will provide detailed information about the test.
  6. On the bottom right, click Order. The order request will now appear in the patient file with the IDEXX Order ID and order status.
  7. On the right-hand side, click on Order Form to view the request and print out the form that must be sent along with the sample.

More about this

How can I edit an order?

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Note: you can edit an order, but once the processing of a request has started, it is no longer possible to edit it.

  1. Go to the patient file.
  2. Next to the laboratory request, click Edit order.

How can I cancel an order?

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Note: once the processing of a request has started, it is no longer possible to cancel it.

  1. Go to the patient file.
  2. Next to the laboratory request, click the red cross to cancel the request.
  3. Confirm the cancellation. You will have the option to remove the request from the patient file immediately or to do this later.
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We recommend always contacting the laboratory after cancelling to ensure the cancellation has been received correctly.

Where can I find the status of an order?

You can find the status of the order in the patient file. On the “Reference Lab” line in the patient file you will find the status, the IDEXX Order ID and any notes related to the request. Below are some examples of statuses:

  • Status: Created– An order has been created but was not submitted (or not correctly) in the VetConnect PLUS module. Note: this may mean that the order has not yet been sent.

  • Status: Ordered – The order has been placed through VetConnect PLUS.

  • Status: Cancelled – The order has been cancelled but has not yet been removed from the patient file. This order can be removed by clicking the red cross next to the request in the patient file.

How can I view and send the laboratory results?

Every 30 minutes Animana checks whether new results have been received. As soon as a result is available, it will automatically be added to Animana and linked to the order in the patient file. Each result has a unique number: the so-called “accession number”. It may happen that the laboratory sends the results in parts. For that reason, they will create multiple accession numbers under the order. These will all be shown on separate lines in the patient file.

The results can be viewed in several ways:

  1. Click View result in VC+. This will open a new window to VetConnect PLUS and display the result(s).
  2. Go to the order and then click the PDF icon. This will open a PDF with the result(s).
  3. Go to Worklist > Lab results and then click the PDF icon to view the result(s).

To print the results, click the printer icon next to the result.

To email the results, click the email icon next to the result.

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If a result cannot automatically be linked to an order, it can be found under Worklist > Lab results. The result can then be manually linked to a patient file.

Enable automatic invoicing of Reference Laboratory tests

IDEXX Reference Laboratory tests requested via the patient file can now be automatically invoiced to the client.

  1. To activate this functionality, go to Settings > General Settings > VetConnect PLUS and tick the box “Automatic billing for IDEXX reference laboratory orders”.
  2. Scroll down and click Save.
  3. After this, when a test is requested, the costs will automatically be added to the client file under the “uninvoiced” tab.
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To ensure IDEXX VetConnect Plus automatic billing works when you turn it on, IDEXX Reference Lab products need to be set-up following the criteria below:

  • The product must have the product code completed with the correct IDEXX VetConnect PLUS code (Extra > Product > Product > tab Order info). It’s a four letter code that can be found on the VetConnect PLUS price list or in the ordering window itself.
  • The product must be active and in Extra > Product > Product > tab Product info the product must be set to show (“display product” = yes, “hide in patient file”=no). That way only active and visible products are included.
  • If there are multiple copies of the same product in your database, only the first correct match is selected.
  • The selection is made on a complete match – this is to say if you have entered SDM instead of SDMA, automatic billing will not find the product.

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Updated on 10 March 2026
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