Submit a Sample
Sample submission process
Choose a test
If you’re not sure which test to request, view the test information and price list.
Complete and print submission form(s)
Reference our “submission forms” section for the test you want to request from the test information and price list to determine which forms are required.
Collect sample(s)
Review the “samples/containers” and “special instructions” sections for the test you want to request to ensure proper collection and packaging.
Ship or drop off sample(s)
Determine location and best delivery method for timely arrival.
View results
Once testing is completed, results will be distributed and/or available via our online portal.
Submission best practices
Veterinarian submissions preferred
While we will accept submissions from animal owners, it is strongly recommended that for maximum value, all submissions to our laboratory be made through and with the assistance of a practicing veterinarian. A veterinary practitioner can evaluate animal health problems, determie suitable laboratory submissions, interpret laboratory results, and recommend and implement necessary treatment. Results of laboratory work will be returned to the submitter or veterinary practitioner unless otherwise requested.
Include a brief and detailed history
When submitting a sample, clinical history must be included on the submission form. This information is crucial when evaluating the significance of test results and determining a diagnosis. In general, more information is better than less information. The more complete the historical and clinical information, previous diagnostic results, and questions to be resolved on the submission form, the easier it is for the laboratory to choose the most effective and efficient course of evaluation for your specimens.
Large submissions
When testing large numbers of animals, please contact the laboratory in advance so testing reagents and staff can be available to ensure a timely turnaround of your test requests.
Assigning a case coordinator
Laboratory cases that require special consideration by our professional staff will be assigned a case coordinator, either a veterinary microbiologist or pathologist at our laboratory.
Sample collection and packaging
Regardless of how you intend to deliver your samples, ensure they are properly collected and packaged. All shipped packages must follow current International Air Transport Association (IATA) shipping guidelines.
Avoid common pitfalls
- Avoid obtaining a specimen too late in the course of disease. Sampling of tissues late in the course of a disease process may be too late to detect the primary pathogens involved in creating the initial insult to the affected tissues – this is particularly true in bovine respiratory disease.
- Collect your sample before post-mortem autolysis. Specimens for histologic evaluation and fluorescein angiography testing require optimal preservation of cellular and tissue integrity. This means that specimens for these types of tests should be harvested as soon after death as possible (preferably within minutes) and should be preserved and shipped appropriately.
Recommendations by sample type
CBCs must be run within 30 hours of collection and should be submitted in an EDTA tube accompanied by a fresh blood smear. Chemistry panels are run on serum with the clot removed as soon as possible after blood collection and prior to shipment. Slides for cytologic analysis should be prepared as aspirates or imprints and carefully packaged and shipped unfixed, unstained, and with care not to expose slides to formalin fumes.
Use transport media when appropriate to preserve samples during shipment. Transport media are available upon advance request for anaerobic cultures, campylobacter cultures, trichomonas cultures, and mycoplasma cultures. Please contact us for current pricing and shipping costs.
Package fixed tissue in leak-proof containers surrounded by absorbent material. This is especially important for continued service due to concerns regarding shipment of and exposure to chemicals such as formalin. In addition to public safety, fresh tissue accidentally exposed to formalin is non-diagnostic for many laboratory procedures. Parafilm insures against leakage on most containers. If time is allowed for tissue to fix properly before mailing, only a small amount of formalin needs to be shipped with the sample. Label individual tissue containers with veterinarian, owner, animal ID and type of specimen. Please do not use narrow necked containers as it is very difficult to remove fixed tissue from them. We supply fixative-filled jars in prepaid mailers for your convenience.
Package fresh tissues in inner leak-proof containers. Surround these with enough absorbent material to soak up any spills and ship in a leak-proof, well-insulated outer container. Include several ice packs to keep the tissues cold until their arrival at our laboratory. Make sure samples are properly identified.
Package intestinal samples, or other samples known to contain bacteria or viruses, carefully to avoid cross contamination of other fresh specimens.
Submit samples for serology in sterile tubes. Serum should be cleanly separated from the clot. Paired serum samples often provide useful information on many serologies. Generally, the first should be taken at the onset of symptoms (acute) and the second should be taken two weeks later (convalescent).
See “Test Schedule” for the specific recommendation for test(s) requested. If it is recommended that you submit paired sera, use the following guidelines. The acute sample may be held (please spin it down and save frozen serum) at your clinic until the convalescent is drawn; then send them both to the laboratory. Be sure they are dated accordingly.
The acute and convalescent sera may also be submitted at the time they are collected, but be sure to label the tube and submission form with the date. Forms accompanying the acute sample should state that convalescent will follow (we recommend two weeks) and whether you would like the acute sample evaluated upon receipt or held until the convalescent arrives. Convalescent forms should indicate that acute sera was sent previously so that both samples can be run side by side for accurate titer comparisons.
When submitting whole animals for necropsy, it is ideal to provide recently deceased and preferably untreated animals that exhibit clinical signs. Prompt necropsy is essential, ideally as soon as possible after death. Submitting multiple animals for abortions or other herd health issues may increase the chance of identifying the cause, patterns, and potential pathogens (additional charges apply). When size permits, the carcass should be refrigerated immediately. Do not enclose in plastic until the carcass has fully cooled, as the trapped heat will accelerate autolysis of tissues. If there will be a delay in submission, the carcass can be frozen. While refrigerated tissues are preferred, the frozen carcass can still be suitable for certain diagnostic procedures.