• Send the sample overnight by courier service.
• Include a thorough history with as much information as possible on the submission form.
• 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.
• For owners who are New York state residents, test charges covered by the NYS contract will be performed at no additional charge.

Specific abortion tissue collection protocol is available here.

Detailed instructions for collecting/preparing citrate plasma samples, including method options and necessary volumes, are available here.

• Ship samples in a styrofoam box with cold packs.
• Ship overnight to arrive next day morning or afternoon.
• Wrap tubes to prevent breakage.
• Dry ice (3-5 lbs) may be required for shipment of special studies
• Please refer to the shipping page for detailed shipping information.

The following guidelines must be followed when submitting blood samples from herds (see Blood Collection Guide):

• Do not label the rubber stoppers.
• Each tube must be clearly labeled and numbered in consecutive order with the same numbers entered in the same order on the submission form.
• 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.

If these guidelines are not followed, retesting at the submitter’s expense may be necessary on some or all animals. Additional processing fees may be incurred if extra time is needed to process samples.

For all herd sampling, please contact the laboratory at 607-253-4473 for consultation and scheduling of sample submission.

Advance notice

• 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 is required for herd testing of more than 300 animals.

Read instructions on our Johnes Disease Program page.

We are able to extract DNA and RNA from your research samples, including whole blood, serum, plasma, tissues, feces, cultures, swabs and washes.

• Samples must be labeled clearly with sequential, underlined numbers (to distinguish between numbers if their order is disrupted during shipment).
• Labeling must match submission form IDs.
• Samples should be placed in order in a box secured with a lid and other means to ensure sample organization is not disrupted during shipment.

Any samples received that do not meet the labeling and organizational guidelines listed here may incur an additional processing fee.

On the submission form

1. Request Nucleic Acid Extraction (test code: NAE).
2. Specify if you need Xeno internal control added.
3. Specify if the extraction will be used for sequencing.
4. For tick samples, specify if tick species ID (Parasite ID) are needed.
5. For tick samples, specify if samples are in isopropanol or ethanol.
6. Provide your FedEx account to allow for shipment of extractions.

Once the extractions are complete, they will be placed in 1.5 ml snap-cap tubes labeled with the same sequential numbering that you assigned, organized in a box and shipped frozen on dry ice overnight to you.

Review the protocol for collecting and submitting nucleic acid samples.

• Milk samples should be placed on ice or refrigerated immediately for transport to the laboratory.
• If samples are to be shipped or held for over 24 hours, they should be frozen (unless being tested for SCC) and thawed at the laboratory.
• Mail early in the week, avoiding Thursday or Friday as the samples may not reach our laboratories until the following week.

Sampling Instructions

Samples should be collected post-milking using aseptic technique for best results. Follow our comprehensive, step-by-step guide to collecting a clean milk sample.

• For Bulk Tank Sampling
  • Agitate tank for at least five minutes. Use a sterile milk straw or clean, sterile dipper. Do not collect sample from the valve at the bottom of tank. Use a sterile vial and fill about three-fourths full. Refrigerate sample at once or freeze if sample will not be delivered in 24 hours.

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 the approval of the Wadsworth Center.

Review rabies case information here.

USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services has released a  guidance document, VS Guidance 15201.1-Approval of Laboratories to Conduct Tests for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), for laboratories conducting EIA testing. This affects submitters in the following ways:

• Laboratories can only accept samples from federally authorized Category II Accredited veterinarians. The AHDC will be confirming accreditation via federally maintained systems.
• Effective April 15, 2020 submitters must use the current federally approved EIA forms or systems. Examples: VS Form 10-11, USDA VSPS, or Global Vet Link form.
• All form information/data points are required and must be filled in or indicated as N/A.
• Samples older than 30 days can no longer be tested, regardless of whether or not they have been frozen. The AHDC will notify the submitter when this has occurred and the test will not be performed.
• At the discretion of the laboratory, amended forms can be processed as long as:
  • They are received within 30 days of the draw date of the sample
  • Previously distributed copies are returned to the laboratory
  • Change of ownership is not one of the items being amended
• The AHDC charges $11 for the processing of amended forms.
• Effective April 15, 2020, an accession fee will be charged for EIA submissions.

We use the ELISA test as the default test for EIA because of user demand and faster test turnaround time.

The AHDC will only perform the EIA AGID test when:

• A Global VetLink electronic submission form is used and AGID is requested; OR
• An AGID test is specifically requested AND the Export box is checked on the submission form

If the AGID test is being requested in anticipation of potential travel of the horse, please check the EXPORT box.
 
It is the responsibility of the veterinarian completing the document to ensure that descriptions provided will uniquely identify the horse for the purpose of animal movement and the needs of the owner. Visit the USDA for guidance on identifying horses. Contact your state animal health officials or USDA District Office for additional assistance.

When filling out official Coggins (EIA) forms to submit samples to the laboratory:

• These are multi-part forms and require additional pressure to make sure all copies are legible.
• Review forms for completeness to avoid possibly delayed results.
• The AHDC is a Global VetLink laboratory for electronic submissions.

More information can be obtained in Global VetLink.

All official EIA forms (except for electronically submitted forms) are returned by USPS. Please call us for STAT testing; additional fees will apply.

Requests to correct animal and/or owner demographics after release of results, requiring us to recall and amend previously distributed reports, will result in a $10 surcharge.