shipping instructions 
Liquid samples
Collect fresh whole blood samples in EDTA (purple top) or ACD
(yellow top) tubes, seal, then immediately invert several times to
thoroughly mix the blood with the preservative material in the tube.
Collect other liquid samples (eg
lavage, liquid feces, CSF) in plain tubes or similar clean,
leakproof containers.
Ship liquid samples via overnight
service the same day as collected if possible. Refrigerate samples
if shipping will be delayed for more than a few hours. Room
temperature shipping is adequate unless there is a chance that
samples will be in transit for more than ~24 hours or during very
warm weather -- in those cases ship samples with cold packs (not dry
ice) in an insulated shipping container.
Nonliquid samples
Place swab samples, fresh tissue, solid fecal samples and other
nonliquid samples in individual, clean, labeled, sealed containers
without transport medium, such as plain tubes or ziplock bags.
Ship at room temperature the same day as collected if possible. If
tissue or fecal samples must be held before shipping for more than a
few hours, refrigerate and ship within a few days with cold packs.
Swab samples may be shipped at room temperature if less than ~3-4
days' time is expected from origination at the animal source to the
samples' arrival at Zoologix.
Ship frozen tissue and other frozen
samples overnight on dry ice in an insulated container so as to
remain frozen until arrival at Zoologix. Follow the carrier's
requirements for dry ice shipments. Contact Zoologix for advice if
frozen samples will be in transit for longer than ~24 hours.
Sample labeling
Uniquely, clearly and permanently label each sample tube, bag or
container with an ID of your choice. These client IDs will identify
samples in the Results Report.
Packaging
Enclose all primary sample
containers (tubes, bags, etc.) together inside a secondary leakproof
ziplock bag or other leakproof container. Protect glass tubes from
contact with each other and pack them so they do not jostle in
transit. Enclose enough absorbent material (batting, toweling or
similar) inside the secondary bag or container to fully absorb the
total volume of all samples should a catastrophic spill occur in
transit. Use dunnage if necessary to prevent movement of contents.
Label the outer carton per the carrier's requirements.
A completed Zoologix
order form should be enclosed with every shipment.
Receiving hours
Zoologix receives deliveries Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Weekend deliveries can usually be arranged with advance notice --
contact Zoologix at least 24 hours in advance to confirm weekend
receiving.
International sample handling
Zoologix can perform testing of dried blood and other
liquids from dry cards, which we
provide free of charge to our clients outside the United States.
Liquid samples are placed on the cards and dried per instructions
printed on the back of each card. Carded samples remain stable for
several weeks at room temperature, so handling requirements are less
stringent, easing international sample shipping. Phone 818-717-8880
or email Zoologix to request
sample cards and copies of our import permits.
PCR Pak (tm)
Zoologix provides PCR Paks to USA clients as needed. Each PCR Pak
includes a dry card (for drying and
shipping blood, CSF or lavage samples), a dry swab (for nasal,
tracheal, conjunctival, rectal, fecal or other swab samples), primary and
secondary ziplock bags, an order form and a preaddressed,
postage-paid envelope for mailing samples to Zoologix from any USA
location. Simply collect samples per the enclosed instructions,
complete the order form and drop in any US mail box. Avoid exposing
samples to excessive heat -- eg during warm weather, avoid dropping
the PCR Pak in a mailbox in direct sun long before the scheduled
pickup time.
You can also ship your own swabs to Zoologix in
PCR Pak mailers, but please do not ship liquid samples in PCR Paks.
If you need overnight transit time for your PCR
Pak samples, you may prefer to send the PCR Pak via your courier (eg
FedEx). The PCR Pak fits inside a standard flat courier envelope.
Send all samples to:
Zoologix, Inc.
9811 Owensmouth Ave
Suite 4
Chatsworth CA 91311
USA
Phone: 818-717-8880
