Note that serum should be kept cool.

1. Use Red top tubes. 
2. Let sit to allow clot formation (30-60 minutes at room temp or 2-4 hours refrigerated).
3.  Wait for clot to form. 
4. Centrifuge, transfer supernatant, and discard red cells. The approximate yield of serum from a 10 ml red top tube that is completely filled from a well hydrated animal is 5 ml. 
5. Label new tube as SERUM. Add owner name and animal ID on label.

What is it for?

Serum is the sample of choice for chemistry, serology, immunology, vitamin E, and most endocrinology testing. Many tests are validated using serum rather than plasma and therefore only serum will be accepted for these tests. For certain tests in clinical pathology and endocrinology, the serum must be separated or test results are inaccurate.

Exception

Do NOT use this for ACTH endogenous, or for ACTH & Insulin. 

Note on tube type

Serum separator tubes (tiger top) can be substituted for red top tubes in some instances but should be avoided for certain endocrinology and clinical pathology tests. Serum separator tubes (Tiger top) can be substituted for red top tubes in some instances but should be avoided for certain endocrinology and clinical pathology tests such as a progesterone baseline, thyroid panels, cortisol tests and certain drug levels. It is recommended that these tubes are centrifuged after the clot forms and the serum transferred to a separate container. This new container should be labeled with owner name, animal ID, and as serum. 

Additional Notes

1. For cross match or compatibility testing, both serum and EDTA whole blood must be submitted from each donor and recipient.
2. Serum is not accepted for ACTH endogenous and the ACTH & Insulin tests. Only EDTA plasma is accepted.
3. Toxoplasma gondii IHA testing is validated for serum only. 

Please consult the AHDC test and fee schedule for verification of requirements for individual tests.

Plasma should be separated immediately after collection, transferred to a plastic container and frozen immediately.

1. Use lavender (purple) top tubes.
2. Gently invert to mix.
3. Centrifuge ASAP, transfer supernatant, and discard red cells.
4.  
5. Label new tube as as EDTA PLASMA. Add owner name and animal ID on label.

What is it for?

For ACTH endogenous and ACTH & Insulin. Please consult Appendix C of the AHDC test and fee schedule for complete submission guidelines for endocrinology tests. 

Whole blood should not be frozen. This tube should be submitted without separation or freezing but should be kept cool.

1. Use lavender (purple) top tubes. 
2. Gently invert to mix.
3. Do not centrifuge.
4. Label new tube as EDTA WHOLE BLOOD. Add owner name and animal ID on label.

What is it for?

For a hemogram (and 2 smears), many PCR tests, and canine and feline blood typing, lead, selenium, Knott’s heartworm and for detection of BVDV persistently infected calves or crias less than 61 days of age.  Also this sample is required if a blood sample is being used for detection of BVDV persistently infected calves or crias less than 61 days of age. 

This sample should be kept cool. 

1. Use green top tubes.
2. Gently invert to mix.
3. Centrifuge ASAP, transfer supernatant, and discard red cells.
4. Label new tube as HEPARINIZED PLASMA. Add owner name and animal ID on label.

What is it for?

For toxicology testing of copper, iron, nitrate/nitrite, zinc, and pre-purchase drug screens. This can also be submitted for most clin path chemistry tests. 

Note on Zinc testing

A trace element tube (Royal Blue), is recommended for zinc testing as it will provide the highest accuracy zinc testing. If trace element tubes are unavailable, then blood submitted for zinc testing should be collected and stored in such a manner as to not come into contact with any rubber surfaces. 

Whole blood should not be frozen. This tube should be submitted without separation or freezing but should be kept cool. 

1. Use green top tubes.
2. Gently invert to mix.
3. Do not centrifuge.
4. Label new tube as HEPARINIZED WHOLE BLOOD. Add owner name and animal ID on label.

What is it for?

For Knott’s heartworm, many toxicology tests including selenium and lead, and drug screens. 

This sample should be kept cool. 

1. Use green blue tubes.
2. Gently invert to mix.
3. Centrifuge ASAP, transfer supernatant, and discard red cells.
4. Label new tube as CITRATE PLASMA. Add owner name and animal ID on label

What is it for?

For most comparative coagulation tests (other than blood typing). Please consult Appendix D of test and fee schedule for verification of requirements for individual tests.