Animal Health Laboratory Sample Submission

• A submission form and/or regulatory forms should accompany all submissions.
• Test results are provided to the submitting client.
• Fees for laboratory services will be charged to the submitting client.  Fees are subject to change without notice.
• Services will not be offered to clients with accounts that are greater than 90 days past due.
• Shipping charges and laboratory charges will be added to account for specimens forwarded to a referral laboratory.
• Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) owner submitted samples, payment must be received before testing will be completed.
• Please contact the Animal Health Laboratory prior to submitting a large number of specimens.

• Submit only one animal specimen per sample—do not pool different samples together. If samples are to be pooled for testing, the lab will do so in house.
• Isolate the submission form from the samples in a waterproof bag.
• Ship frozen samples using ice packs.
• Do not put multiple loose glass tubes in a container/bag.
• Double bag any liquid, tissue, or fecal sample.
• If using vacutainer box, secure tubes by placing strips of packing tape across the top and adhering the tape to the box, or by wrapping the entire box in foil, plastic wrap or a waterproof bag.

Primary receptacle blood tube, specimen container

Secondary packaging with sufficient absorbent for liquids

An outer packaging must be clearly marked with the words “Exempt Animal Specimen”

Sample submission forms can be found on the Animal Health Laboratory website Submission, Test, and Other Forms page.

Samples submitted to the Animal Health Laboratory for regulatory disease testing (e.g. Brucellosis, Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), Trichomoniasis) delivered by anyone other than the veterinarian of record or by official carrier/courier, must be in sealed containers with veterinarian’s signature across the seal to maintain chain-of-custody from the time of sampling until delivery to the laboratory. Samples not meeting this requirement will be refused and will not be tested.

• Pick up clinics will call MMS at (800) 280-3058 when they have samples for pick up.
• A chain-of-custody (C-O-C) form held at the pick-up clinics will be used to track samples and for billing purposes.  Pick-up clinics will need to ensure that persons dropping off samples fill in the C-O-C form which will be sent to the ISDA-AHL with that day’s samples.
• Samples must be in a sealed box or bag.

• Pick up clinics will call Fleet Street at (208) 384-0472 when they have samples for pick up.
• A chain-of-custody (C-O-C) form held at the pick-up clinics will be used to track samples and for billing purposes. Pick-up clinics will need to ensure that persons dropping off samples fill in the C-O-C form which will be sent to the Animal Health Lab with that day’s samples.
• Samples must be in a sealed box or bag.
• Each clinic sending samples on the courier will be charged $15.00/day.

Canadian Elk Sample Submission (Brucellosis Testing) – Required Paperwork

When submitting elk samples from Canada please see below for required paperwork. This list does not include shipping labels, commercial invoice or other paperwork required for international shipment. Please refer to the shipping company website (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.) for instructions on packaging and shipping international shipments.

Note the shipper assumes all responsibility for complying with international shipping requirements.

See the Animal Health Lab website Service and Fee Schedule pages for sample type, volume, pricing, and shipping information.

Required Forms:

• Brucellosis Test Record (VS Form 4-33)
• Brucellosis Test Record Continuation Sheet (VS Form 4-33A)
• Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Declaration
• Veterinary Clinic Certification Statement
• USDA Importation Permit

Required forms and permits can be found on the Animal Health Lab website Submission, Test, and other Forms page.

The lab has an automated locker system available for customers to drop-off samples outside normal business hours.  The 8 lockers are secure and are temperature controlled at 4 degrees Celsius to maintain sample integrity and electronic chain of custody.

To utilize these lockers, contact the Animal Health Laboratory at 208-332-8570.