PADLS
User Guide - Contents
General Information
Submission Information
| Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System | |
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PADLS
User Guide - Contents
General Information
Submission Information
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PADLS accepts specimens of agricultural animals, i.e., bovine, porcine, equine, ovine, caprine, camelidae, cervidae, avian, aquaculture and zoo animals. Wild animal submissions must be arranged through the PA Game Commission with the exception of Rabies. Rabies suspects from all species will be accepted. (see Special Services - Rabies).
When accepting cases and reporting results, PADLS requires the involvement of a veterinarian, since this professional has expertise in the selecting, preparing and shipping of proper specimens. Veterinarians are also in the best position to recommend and administer treatment and preventive measures.
PADLS reserves the right to perform tests for any of the diseases regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on any specimen it receives. PADLS reserves the right to perform any tests on animals or birds submitted for necropsy that the case coordinator deems necessary for obtaining a diagnosis. A submission of specimens for diagnostic purposes constitutes your acknowledgement that some tests may be performed at other laboratories.
Many immunoserology tests required for export are performed by PADLS. We make every effort to assist the client to meet the generally tight deadline requirements involved. Some required tests are not available at PADLS. Always call prior to submitting export samples. This allows for proper preparation of test reagents and identification of another accredited laboratory to perform the test, if necessary. Exports must be identified with clearly marked information, including:
Regulatory tests must be submitted with the appropriate state or federal form (Brucellosis, Equine Infectious Anemia, Johne's disease, etc). AAI-11 and EIA forms must be ordered through the laboratory.
Non-regulatory test submission forms can be ordered through the laboratory or downloaded from this website (Test Request Forms).
The quality of sample determines the quality of the results. PADLS reserves the right to determine the suitability of a sample for providing meaningful results.
Whole blood should not be sent for samples requiring serological testing. When possible, all samples should be spun and separated, refrigerated, then shipped with ice packs. The use of an overnight courier service helps ensure sample quality. Samples sent on the clot must be received within one to two days or hemolysis of the red blood cells could interfere with the ability to test.
Collect specimens aseptically in the early stages of infection. Refrigerate specimen immediately and hand-carry or ship overnight with ice packs to ensure sample quality. These tests are dependant on viable virus in the samples and must be cared for properly. When piBVD microplate virus isolation or real time RT-PCR BVD testing is to be done on sera, please submit as whole blood in a red top tube by overnight courier with cold packs – samples have to be handled using sterile techniques. Serum separator tubes work well to keep specimen off the clot as much as possible.
Tissues need to be fixed prior to shipping in 10 times their volume of a 10% formalin solution. Tissues should not exceed 1 cm in thickness. Containers must be leak proof.
Notify the pathology section before submission of the animal. Please do not submit live animals without prior arrangements. Rabies specimens are not accepted live.
Aseptic collection is essential. Use a leak proof container; label with animal identification, collection site and collection date. All samples for aerobic culture that are NOT in a suitable transport media should be refrigerated and shipped with ice packs. Samples for anaerobic culture should not be refrigerated. All fluid samples should be refrigerated and shipped on ice packs. The use of an overnight courier service helps ensure sample quality.
See Special Services - Rabies.
Specimens accepted by the laboratory become the property of the laboratory and cannot be returned. Please consult the appropriate section of your users' guide for further guidance on specimen collection and preparation.
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