Regulatory Testing Tips

The Animal Health Diagnostic Center, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, is eager to work with you to provide efficient export testing services. Our Laboratory performs most of the tests routinely required for animal exportation.

Our full-time export coordinator, assists veterinarians and exporters with each shipment to ensure trouble-free exportation.  Proper coordination of shipments is essential, as large sums of money, continually changing test requirements, and important trade relations are routinely involved in international animal shipments.

General Tips

  1. Please keep in mind the time frame within which tests must be completed, and arrange to have samples arrive as early as possible within the required time. This allows us time to complete the tests and report results with less risk of delaying or missing the shipping date.
  2. If at all possible, let the Diagnostic Center handle all tests related to any given shipment. This avoids confusion in coordinating the shipment. Any test that we do not perform we will refer to another laboratory and we will assume full responsibility for reporting all results as quickly as possible.
  3. Please call before collection of samples if you are uncertain about requirements. This avoids our having to notify the submitting veterinarian by telephone if tests are required that were not requested on your submission form. Our "Export Regulations" computer program allows us to quickly verify current exportation requirements.
  4. To ensure prompt test results, please ship samples so that they will arrive at the laboratory at least one day before the scheduled testing day. Testing begins early, often before daily incoming samples are received and processed; for example, if a sample arrives on Thursday for a test only performed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it will not be tested until the following Tuesday.

Submission Tips

  1. Specify the methodology for the test being requested (e.g., Brucellosis Card versus Brucellosis Tube at 1:50).
  2. If known, please provide the date that results are needed by; this is important when organizing large groups of samples, and to have results available in time to meet shipping deadlines.
  3. The country of destination should always be indicated on the General Accession form. If it is unknown, please specify as "unknown."
  4. Number each sample sequentially and be sure that the tube number and animal identification number are both recorded on the form.
  5. Always state the exact date the sample was drawn. This is especially important for countries where second testing is required.
  6. Minimum sample size:
    1. One test only: 2 ml serum or 5 ml whole blood
    2. Multiple tests: 1 ml serum or 3 ml whole blood per test

If you or your veterinarian have any questions or concerns involving the Export Program, please contact Omyia Damaj, Export Coordinator, by calling the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at 607-253-3938.