Frequently Asked Questions
Payment FAQs
How do I use the Flywire website?
From our main webpage (https://vetmed.tamu.edu/ivrps/), click “Order Tests and Kits” at the top of the page to access the IVRPS Flywire ordering portal.
You may check out as a guest (recommended) or create an account.
Review the available options and select the item(s) you wish to order.
Multiple items can be added to a single transaction before checkout (use browser “back” arrows to return to the menu).
For questions about IVRPS services, please contact us at ivrps@tamu.edu or 979-862-3842. Flywire support should only be contacted for technical website issues.
We already set up an account with Texas A&M, so can we use that to pay?
No, as of February 2025, our department requires that all tests be paid for at the time of submission via Flywire.
We already have an account with the GI Lab or TVMDL. Can we pay through that account?
No, the IVRPS is wholly separate from the GI Lab, TVMDL and other TAMU labs and each lab has their unique accounting system.
We require payment through the Flywire venue
Can you just invoice us instead?
No, as of February 2025, our department requires that all tests must be paid for at the time of submission via Flywire, and we can no longer invoice post-services.
Please visit our online order & payment venue, Flywire, to make a payment.
Who do we contact for help with Flywire?
What is the cost for SDS PAGE?
What is the cost for a renal biopsy?
If we order a biopsy or test, etc, and the client cancels it, can we get a refund?
Please email us at ivrps@tamu.edu if you need to cancel a test.
If we order a comprehensive biopsy evaluation but cancel some of the tests, can we get a refund on the tests that were not performed?
Please email us at ivrps@tamu.edu if you need to cancel a test.
I am submitting for a no-charge follow-up urine SDS-PAGE? Do I need to order and pay through Flywire?
Do I have to pay for urine SDS-PAGE if I am also submitting a renal biopsy on the same patient?
I can’t find your fee list.
How should I submit/pay for a follow-up biopsy or follow-up necropsy?
For a follow-up necropsy, please complete our online submission form, citing the previous biopsy accession number. There is no fee for follow-up necropsy evaluations.
Shipping FAQs
What are your lab hours?
The lab is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM Central Time, except for University holidays.
Please monitor our website for closure updates.
I tried calling the lab, but it went to voicemail. How do I speak with someone?
Please note that we have a small staff focused on processing submissions with no dedicated receptionist.
Please send an email (highly preferred: ivrps@tamu.edu) or leave a voicemail (979-862-3842), and we will respond as soon as possible (usually within 1 business day).
How long does it take to receive a kit once it’s ordered and paid for?
IVRPS ships kits that have been ordered and paid for on Mondays through Wednesdays via 2-day delivery.
We do not ship on holidays.
Please order no later than Wednesday, 11 AM Central Time, to receive the package by Friday (barring weather delays).
Is there a preferred shipping service/courier for shipping samples to IVRPS?
Please ship overnight using a private courier of your choice (preferred delivery by noon).
Due to the University’s postal service structure, please do not ship via USPS, as this could delay delivery by severaldays.
I collected a sample on Friday. Can you receive it on the weekend?
No, we cannot receive packages on weekends or University holidays.
For Urine SDS-PAGE: Perform a complete urinalysis with sediment exam. Collect supernatant (centrifuged urine) and freeze (-20 or -80°C). Ship the following Monday for Tuesday noon delivery using frozen commercial ice packs in an insulated (e.g., Styrofoam) container. Note on the submission form that the sample is Urine Supernatant. Please include your urinalysis with sediment results.
For Biopsy/Necropsy Samples: Refrigerate sample(s) over the weekend and ship the following Monday for Tuesday noon delivery using frozen commercial ice packs in an insulated (e.g., Styrofoam) container.
How long can I store samples before shipping? How should I store them?
For Urine SDS-PAGE: Ideally, we should receive urine that has been stored in the refrigerator within 24-48 hours of collection. If shipping will be delayed by more than 1 day, perform a complete urinalysis with sediment exam. Collect supernatant (centrifuged urine) and freeze (-20 or -80°C). Ship overnight for delivery during IVRPS business hours using frozen commercial ice packs in an insulated (e.g., Styrofoam) container. Note on the submission form that the sample is Urine Supernatant. Please include your urinalysis with sediment results.
For Biopsy/Necropsy Samples: Renal tissues in Michel’s Transport Solution must be processed by our laboratory within 5-7 days of collection. Package tissues in Michel’s Transport Solution separately from formalin and refrigerate until shipment.
How do I package urine/biopsies/etc for shipping?
Package in an insulated container (e.g., Styrofoam) and include at least three 4 X 6 inch (10 X 15 cm) commercial ice packs specifically designed for shipping (not wet or dry ice or medical ice packs).
What volume of urine do I need to submit for SDS-PAGE?
The minimum required to perform both urine SDS-PAGE and urinalysis (included with SDS-PAGE evaluation) is 3-5 mL of whole urine; however, more is preferred to allow for repeat assays. Please contact the lab (ivrps@tamu.edu) if you cannot send this much volume.
For kidney biopsies, what type of biopsy, size of tissue, and/or type of needle are required?
All samples should be taken from the mid-cortex
An 18 or 16-gauge needle is preferred
Preferably 3 cores, each a minimum of 6-8 mm long
Place a 6 mm into the chilled Michel’s Transport solution (for immunofluorescence[IF])
Place the remaining cores in 10% formalin. Please leave cores intact (do not divide into smaller pieces).
If performing an open surgical or laparoscopic approach, you can collect tissue using 1 of 3 methods:
Needle biopsy: see above
Punch biopsy:
Take a sample from the mid-cortex using an 8-10 mm punch
Divide the biopsy into 2 pieces:
Place 1/3 into the chilled Michel’s Transport solution
Place the remaining 2/3 into 10% formalin. Please leave cores intact (do not divide into smaller pieces).
Wedge biopsy:
Take a sample from the mid-cortex
Collect ~ 5 x 5 x 5 mm wedge
Divide the biopsy into 2 pieces:
Place 1/3 into the chilled Michel’s Transport solution
Place the remaining 2/3 into 10% formalin
I’ve never performed a kidney biopsy before, can you walk me through it?
Do I need to separate the sample for light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM)?
If there is a significant time difference (>15 minutes) between the collection of individual samples:
Separate the samples into 2 different containers of 10% formalin.
Label each container with the amount of time elapsed between collection and fixation (e.g., 10 mins vs. 20 mins).
We had a “surprise” biopsy today, and we don’t have a kit. Is there a way to preserve samples without the kit?
Immunofluorescence (IF) requires fresh tissue. If you are able to ship the sample the same day (Monday through Wednesday) for overnight delivery, place the tissue for IF into an unused, clean container with chilled sterile 0.9% saline (e.g., screw-top conical tube).
Package in an insulated container (e.g., Styrofoam) and include at least three 4 x 6 in (10 x 15 cm) commercial ice packs specifically designed for shipping (not wet or dry ice or medical ice packs).
I need to order renal biopsy collection kits. When does Michel’s Transport solution expire?
We have a biopsy today and realized that our Michel’s Transport solution has expired. What should we do?
Does the biopsy collection kit contain Michel’s Transport solution?
We had a biopsy evaluated at another diagnostic center and would like a second opinion. Do you offer this?
I can’t find the submission form.
I want to send a kidney sample from a patient who is being euthanized. How should I collect and process the sample?
Cut each kidney longitudinally.
For immunofluorescence (IF):
Do this collection FIRST, BEFORE exposing the tissue to formalin.
Take a sample from the mid-cortex.
Collect ~5 x 5 x 5 mm wedge and place into chilled Michel’s Transport solution.
Place the remaining kidney(s) into 10% formalin for light and electron microscopy.
If sending both kidneys, please place each kidney into its own jar and label LEFT vs RIGHT.
See this diagram of a biopsy from a euthanized animal.
I wanted to clarify the process for when our kits/Michel Transport Media expire. I saw a note stating that we can contact you all for a replacement solution rather than ordering a whole new kit. Would I reach out to you for this, and is there a charge for the replacement solution?