Each test has a specific set of requirements for sample type and container. Please note that samples must be submitted through a licensed veterinarian. It is our policy not to allow animal owners to submit samples directly to the AHDC.
Sample Submission Requirements
Both the owner and animal names must be written on each sample.
Enter exactly the same animal names/numbers on the samples as they are written on the form, and organize them in the same order in the shipping container.
For sample identification, Avery ID labels with compatible product numbers 6467 and 6504 can be used.
Specimen packaging requirements must be satisfied. Packages leaking in transit may be seized and discarded by the US Postal Service, UPS, FedEx or other couriers.
International submissions must be accompanied by payment in U.S. funds via credit card or International Money Order. Review our billing information here.
We receive submissions during our hours of operation, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. All samples designated for Saturday delivery will be received, opened and prepared for delivery to the laboratories, but testing is not guaranteed until the following workweek.
Please note that samples become property of the AHDC upon receipt.
State and Regulatory Testing
New York State Contract
Include histories on the contract form, if known. These must be included for testing to qualify for coverage under the New York state contract.
Include the owner's full address, including the state in which the animal lives. This is especially important for states bordering New York to assist us in determining contract status.
A New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP) form must be submitted for NYSCHAP herds to receive subsidized testing. Forms are provided by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Read about NYSCHAP online.
Regulatory Testing
Regulatory testing may require the use of official state forms. Official forms are not available through AHDC. They must be ordered through the state offices in Albany.
You can do that by completing the 2024 Category 2 Accredited Veterinarian's Supply Form and then either faxing it to 518-485-7773 or mailing it to the Albany address below.
These forms must be signed by the submitting accredited veterinarian. Obtain an accredited veterinarian's supply form through the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Division of Animal Industry "Resources for Veterinarians" page. Then fax that form to 518-485-7773 or mail it to the following address:
Attn: Div of Animal Industry/NYS Dept Ag & Mkts 10B Airline Drive Albany, NY 12235
Do not send blood samples to this address.
New York State Animals
Animals originating in New York state must be tested using official forms for EIA (Coggins) and for Brucellosis testing not associated with abortion problems.
Animals From Other States
For animals originating from other states, official forms are required for EIAs, but not for Brucellosis.
Any samples for regulatory testing that originate from states outside of New York must be accompanied by official state forms provided by those states.
Specialty Sample Submission Instructions
Abortion
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.
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.
Herd Blood
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.
Johnes Testing
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.
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
Request Nucleic Acid Extraction (test code: NAE).
Specify if you need Xeno internal control added.
Specify if the extraction will be used for sequencing.
For tick samples, specify if tick species ID (Parasite ID) are needed.
For tick samples, specify if samples are in isopropanol or ethanol.
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.
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.
Rabies Suspect
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.
Instructions for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Testing
USDA/APHIS Guidance Document
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.
EIA Season Reminders
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.
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.
