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Animal Health Diagnostic Center

Improving the health of animals, animal populations and wildlife

Abortion Samples

Samples should be sent overnight by courier service to the lab. If the submitting owner is from New York State, there will be a charge when a fetus is submitted for necropsy. Test charges that are covered by the NYS contract will be performed at no additional charge. Non-covered tests will be billed. Non-NY State owners will be charged for the necropsy, and all other testing will be performed at full charge (see test & fee). For general information about abortion diagnostic services, call the lab at 607-253-3935.

Sample submission

When submitting tissues for abortion testing, be sure to include a thorough history with as much information as possible on the submission form. Please include vaccination history.

Tissues should be sent properly prepared using 10% buffered formalin for histopathology testing and freezer packs to keep fresh tissues and serum and whole blood chilled.

Entire Fetus and Placenta

Fetal Samples

  • Submit whole fetus if 10" or less in crownrump length; if a larger whole fetus is submitted, necropsy charges will apply. Placenta is required. If fetus is large, submit fetal tissues for diagnostic testing.
  • A complete history must be provided.
  • Formalin-fixed fetal tissues: 1/4 inch thick formalinized sections of liver, lung, kidney, adrenal, heart, thymus, skin, spleen, small intestine, placenta (chorioallantois sections from 3 locations), and entire brain.
  • Refrigerated fresh fetal tissues: for bacteriology, virology, mycology and serology on fetus tissues: lung, stomach/abomasal contents, placenta, liver, spleen, kidney, adrenal, and heart blood. For bovines, also submit a fresh 1/4" - 1/2" piece of skin.
  • Use clean knife to open fetus. Collect specimens as aseptically as possible.
  • Place each tissue in a separate and labeled Ziplock bag or leak-proof container (DO NOT FREEZE). Heart blood (3-5ml) in red-top tube; substitute pleural fluid if necessary for serology.

Dam Samples

  • Samples: Paired samples for all tests except selenium. The second of a pair of sera should be obtained 14-21 days after the first one. The pair may be sent together (keep first serum frozen), or the first and second samples may be sent separately right after bleeding. Label tubes with animal identification and whether 1st or 2nd of the pair.