Sample
Guidelines

Sample Submission Guidelines

The following is required for sample submission to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center:

A fully completed General Submission form*
A written record of the known history
Sample submission date clearly indicated (see Blood Collection Guide)
Precision in animal identification: enter exactly the same animal names/numbers on the samples as they are written on the form, and organize them in the same order in the shipping container
Both the owner's name and animal names must be written on each sample
Specimen packaging requirements must be satisfied. Packages leaking in transit may be seized and discarded by the US Postal Service, UPS, FEDEX or other couriers.

To pay by credit card, submit a fully completed Credit Card Payment Slip (one-time only).

For additional supplies, please see Shipping Supply Request Form.

* For additional submission forms that may be needed, see the Test & Fee Schedule page.

Courier Service Discount Rates

Cornell University and the Animal Health Diagnostic Center have negotiated contracts for significant discounts with the FedEx and UPS courier services, which the Animal Health Diagnostic Center is passing on to its clients. For further information on our discounted courier services, go to Courier Services.

Blood Collection Tube and Labeling Guide

Herd Blood Samples

Each tube must be clearly labeled and numbered in consecutive order with the same numbers entered in the same order on the submission form. Do not label the rubber stoppers.
Label the first and last tubes with the owner's name.
The tubes must be placed in the shipping container in the same numerical order as entered on the form. Use partitioned boxes to keep the samples in order.

Abortion Samples

The Animal Health Diagnostic Center, in conjunction with the Departments of Pathology and Clinical sciences, provides both bovine and equine abortion kits (bovine kits can be used to collect and submit small ruminant and camelid samples) to facilitate the proper collection, submission, and testing of samples when the fetus and placenta cannot be delivered directly to a necropsy service.... <more>

Citrate Plasma Samples

Depending upon the type of animal, there are different are requirements for preparing citrate plasma samples. For cats, dogs, primates, or rabbits, there is both a syringe method and a vacutainer method. For large animals use a vacutainer. For laboratory animals use a syringe method. Detailed instructions and necessary volumes are provided... <more>

Johnes Testing Samples

For all herd sampling, please contact the laboratory at 607-253-4473 for consultation and scheduling of sample submission. If more than 75 samples are submitted at once, or any large number on a regular basis, schedule with the lab at least one month in advance of submission. For submission of Bovine sera for Johnes Kela, advance notification of Animal Health Diagnostic Center is required for herd testing of more than 300 animals. ... <more>

Rabies Suspect Samples

Samples for rabies testing should not be sent to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center! All Rabies Viral FA testing is performed by the NYS Department of Health's Wadsworth Center Rabies Laboratory in Albany. Submission of a rabies specimen requires prior approval of the local health authority (county health department or district office of the State Health Department). Emergency and after-hour exceptions can be made with... <more>

SampleGuidelines