Test for suspected tuberculosis (TB) in pet mammals (BA704)
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-03)

Use this form to submit tissue samples from pet mammals to test for the bacteria that can cause TB.

Vets can use this form to request a privately funded test for Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) on samples from pet mammals, including dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits.

M.bovis is the bovine tuberculosis (TB) bacterium.

You can submit samples for testing from:
- tissue samples from a post-mortem examination
- fresh (unfixed) biopsy samples from live domestic pet mammals
Testing is carried out at the specialist bovine TB national reference laboratory at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

It is a legal requirement to notify APHA without delay if you:
- suspect TB during the post-mortem examination of a domestic pet mammal
- identify M. bovis in the tissues, secretions, or excretions of a live domestic pet mammal
Clinical suspicion of TB in a living pet mammal is not currently notifiable, although it is advisable to contact APHA (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha).

Available tests

If you need a post-mortem examination to confirm or rule out suspected TB, contact:
- xx-xxxx-xxxx if you’re in England
- xx-xxxx-xxxx if you’re in Wales
- your local Field Services Office (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha#scotland-apha-field-services) if you’re in Scotland
Carcases of pet animals examined post-mortem at APHA are incinerated and APHA is not able to return the ashes to pet owners.

APHA laboratories use a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test which can detect M.bovis directly from tissue samples.

This diagnostic technique can also identify other species of the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex (MTBC).

Samples that test positive for M. bovis by PCR testing will undergo bacteriological culture for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of the isolate to support epidemiological investigations.

Samples which are negative for M. bovis but are positive for MTBC will undergo additional specific PCR testing for Mycobacterium microti.

Find out more about the PCR test to detect M. bovis on the TB Hub website (https://tbhub.co.uk/tb-testing-cattle/pcr-test-for-detection-of-m-bovis-in-post-mortem-tissue-samples/).

Turnaround times

PCR tests will be processed:
- within 7 working days, if they are privately funded
- within 3 weeks, if they are government funded
Bacterial culture tests will take between 6 and 22 weeks.

Free testing: criteria in England, Wales and Scotland

Mycobacterial testing (PCR and bacterial culture) of samples from domestic pet mammals submitted to APHA is free of charge if the animal meets certain criteria.

Contact APHA Field Services (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha) if you believe that the animal meets the following eligibility criteria. Following confirmation, you will be given a ‘Companion and Zoo Animal Material for Examination Form (TN61)’ to accompany your submission.

You will still need to pay the costs for packing and dispatch of the sample or carcass.

England

Testing is free in England if animals:
- are kept on a farm with susceptible livestock and there is a reasonable suspicion of TB infection
- meet more detailed ‘triage’ criteria (APHA Field Services can provide more detail)
Wales

Testing is free in Wales for animals if:
- both the clinical history and additional investigations support a likely diagnosis of TB. Investigations include diagnostic imaging, blood tests, or histopathology carried out by the owner’s veterinary surgeon
- there is other strong supporting evidence, such as close contact with another animal suspected or confirmed with TB, or the animal has been fed on raw pet food, or raw milk linked to a likely potential source
Scotland

Testing is free in Scotland if samples or carcasses submitted initially to private laboratories are suspected of having TB. This includes Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Paid testing

Use the attached form: Detection of mycobacteria from pet animal samples (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65324d3f26b9b1000faf1c68/form-ba704.pdf) for privately funded submissions to APHA.

Fees

Visit the APHA Scientific price list for:
- M. bovis PCR (TC0278) commercial testing fees (https://science.vla.gov.uk/Tests/SearchResults.aspx?SiteName=CDT&Search=TC0278&PriceListCategoryId=0)
- Mycobacterial culture (TC0421) fees (https://science.vla.gov.uk/Tests/SearchResultsDetailed.aspx?SiteName=CDT&Search=mycobacterial%20culture&TestCode=TC0421&PriceListCategoryId=0)
There is no fee for cultures performed following a positive PCR test result.

Cultures performed instead of the PCR test or in addition to a negative PCR test result carry a fee.

Submitting samples to other laboratories

You can also submit samples to other laboratories, such as those affiliated to universities, NHS Trusts, Public Health Agencies, or private diagnostic laboratories.

If M. bovis is detected in the samples, the laboratory will still be required to notify APHA without delay.

Taking samples

For all sample submissions, collect up to 20g of fresh tissue, without adding any transport medium.

If the tissue has been frozen, indicate this on the submission form.

Submitting samples

You must follow the rules for packaging and sending pathological material (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-pack-and-label-samples-for-submission-to-apha).

Complete the form in full.

Send your completed submission form and sample to:

TB Diagnosis SectionStarcross Veterinary Investigation CentreStaplake MountStarcrossDevonEX6 8PE

How to pay

You enter into a contract with APHA when the Veterinary Investigation Centre receives your sample and submission form.

You will be sent an invoice with instructions on how to set up an account to make payment. You must pay within 28 days of the date of invoice. APHA reserves the right to withhold services for accounts in arrears.

See our general terms and conditions (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apha-standard-terms-and-conditions) that apply to testing where no specific contract is signed.

Receiving your test results

Check the price list for the maximum processing time for each test.

Test results are returned as soon as possible. If you need the findings urgently, you should include this on the form.

Reports are sent by email. You can ask for the report to be sent by post. Reports sent by special delivery will result in extra charges and you will need to ask the centre for this service. You can also ask that results are sent to recipients other than yourself.

For government funded submissions the results are sent to your local APHA Field Services Team who in turn will provide these to you.

Contact APHA Starcross

For privately-funded submissions, you can contact APHA Starcross by:

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx