May Billing Insert
5/3/2012
The monthly billing insert for May 2012 (and previous 2012 inserts) is available here.
Information about Schmallenberg Virus in Ruminants
4/16/2012
Schmallenberg virus has been identified from animals on more than 2,000 farms in Europe. Most of these have been sheep farms, but the virus has also been detected on cattle and goat farms. It is not known if wild ruminants are also susceptible. more...
Strangles Outbreak at Saratoga Harness Track
4/10/2012
Strep equi or “strangles” has been confirmed on the Saratoga Harness track. Fourteen horses have tested positive since the first case was diagnosed. The disease was first reported in late March.
more...
April Billing Insert
4/9/2012
The monthly billing insert for April 2012 (and previous 2012 inserts) is available
here.
Better Test for Lyme Disease in Pets
3/13/2012
This
video from Inside Science Television illustrates the new AHDC test for Lyme disease in horses and dogs. The test can better determine the stage of infection, and increase the effectiveness of treatment.
more...
Monthly Billing Inserts
3/12/2012
The monthly billing insert for March 2012 (and previous 2012 inserts) is available
here.
Equine Infectious Anemia Testing Changes
1/22/2012
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
Beginning in January, 2012 the AHDC will switch the EIA testing format from the AGID to the ELISA as the default test. The AGID test will be maintained as a test option for 1) export testing where ELISA is not approved; 2) samples that have been received by the laboratory >5 days after collection; 3) samples with anticoagulants; 4) AGID test requests received on electronic submission forms. We are requesting that all other forms either have the ELISA option selected or have the test format unselected. The cost for both ELISA and AGID will also be harmonized to $7.50/test.
EIA Forms
USDA now mandates that all EIA test forms include the National Accreditation Number (NAN) of the submitting veterinarian. Please assist us in expediting the Coggins (EIA) test samples by writing your 6-digit National Accreditation Number (NAN) on your test record. By writing your NAN on the test record, the lab can easily verify that you have elected to participate in the revised USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP). The lab will no longer process samples from veterinarians who are not Category 2 Accredited.
If you don't remember your 6-digit NAN, in New York please contact the USDA-APHlS-VS Area Office at 518-218-7540 or the NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry at 518-457-3502. If you are licensed in another state, please contact either the State Veterinarian’s Office of the AVIC’s Office in your state. They will be able to provide you with your NAN. Forms without the NAN are not considered official and cannot be used for movement of horses.
All official EIA forms (except for electronically submitted forms) are returned by US Mail.
For STAT testing please call the lab and make arrangements for this service (607-253-3900). Additional fees will apply.
New Prices-Effective February 1, 2012
1/4/2012
Beginning in February 1, 2012, the AHDC will be changing the prices of some tests in the following sections: Avian, Bacteriology, Brucellosis, Comparative Coagulation, and Toxicology. In the face of continued economic challenges, we have wrestled long and hard with ways to keep costs down for you, our client, and still maintain the high level of service that sets us apart from other diagnostic laboratories. Unfortunately, this increase is necessary to cover the rising cost of reagents and instrumentation. We will continue to provide our high quality of service and we do appreciate your business. For a current list of test prices involved, please see the
attached PDF.
NYS Vet Diagnostic Lab gets 'gold' for green
12/21/2011
The New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which opened a year ago and houses the Animal Health Diagnostic Center, has recently been awarded a "gold" certification by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, as judged by the U.S. Green Building Council.
more...
EEE Found in Dog First Case in New York State
8/22/2011
The New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NYSVDL), part of the Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) at Cornell University, diagnosed EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) in a 4-month old puppy from Oswego County, NY, in August 2011. This is first case of EEE reported in a dog in NY State. This county has historically reported EEE in unvaccinated horses during mosquito season, but not in canines. Other species such as ratites, pheasants, deer, and camelids can be infected.
more...
Laboratory Medical Techonologists in Clinical Path
6/20/2011
Behind every value reported from our laboratory is a team of dedicated medical technologists (MT). MTs are highly trained and skilled personnel that perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, and microscopic analysis. more...
New Lyme Test for Dogs and Horses
6/10/2011
As of June 15, 2011, the Serology/Immunology laboratory at the AHDC offers a new assay for the detection of antibodies to B. burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. The new assay (Lyme multiplex assay) is available for testing samples from dogs and horses. For more information click here.
Bacteriology Introduces Improved Blood Culture Met
5/23/2011
The Bacteriology Laboratory of the AHDC will soon be instituting a new method for blood culture that will increase accuracy and reduce turn-around time. The VersaTrek system allows for the automated detection of bacterial growth in blood cultures, reducing manipulation and contamination of the samples. The cost of the test will remain the same.
Please be aware that the use of this system requires a specific blood culture bottle. These bottles are currently available for $3.00 each from our shipping department. We stock specific bottles for aerobic and anaerobic cultures. We will continue to accept blood culture bottles from other manufacturers, but these will be processed by the laboratory using the current manual technique.
