shipping instructions 
Nonliquid samples
Place solid fecal
samples, fecal/rectal swabs, respiratory swabs, fresh tissue, and other
nonliquid samples in individual, clean, labeled, sealed containers
without transport medium, such as
ziplock bags or plain tubes. Ship at
room temperature the same day as collected if possible. If these
samples must be held
for more than a few hours before shipping, refrigerate and ship within a few days with cold packs.
Most 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. Fixed or preserved tissue may be shipped
at room temperature.
Liquid
samples
Collect fresh whole blood samples in EDTA (purple top) tubes, seal, then immediately invert several times to thoroughly
mix the blood with the preservative material in the tube.
Collect other
liquid samples such as lavage and cerebrospinal fluid 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 liquid samples with cold packs (not dry
ice) in an insulated shipping container.
Frozen
samples
Frozen samples should be shipped on dry ice so as to remain frozen
until arrival at Zoologix. If samples are currently frozen, do not
thaw them prior to shipping. 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.
PCR Pak
(tm)
Zoologix provides PCR Paks to USA clients as needed. Each PCR Pak
includes 3 dry swabs (for fecal, nasal, tracheal, conjunctival,
genital, rectal or other swab samples), primary and secondary
ziplock bags, a submission form and a preaddressed, postage-paid
envelope for mailing samples to Zoologix from any USA location.
Simply collect samples per the instructions, complete the submission
form and mail at any US Post Office. Avoid exposing samples
to excessive heat or cold -- for example, avoid leaving
the PCR Pak in a mailbox in direct sunlight or freezing temperatures.
You may also send
your own swabs to Zoologix in a PCR Pak envelope, but please do not
send liquids in PCR Pak envelopes.
Mailed PCR Paks
arrive at Zoologix in US Mail transit time, usually no more
than ~3 business days. If you want faster or trackable transit for
your samples, you may prefer to send the PCR Pak via your courier (eg
FedEx). The PCR Pak weighs less than 8 ounces and fits inside a standard courier envelope.
We can provide dry cards
for drying and sending blood, CSF or semen to us in a PCR Pak or your
own envelope, without refrigeration. Contact Zoologix if you
wish to send samples using dry cards. We charge a small deposit per
card, which is then credited against your invoice when the card is
returned to us for testing.
Sample
labeling
Uniquely, clearly and permanently label each sample container with an
ID of your choice. These client IDs will identify samples in the
Results Report. Write the IDs on your submission form too.
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, paper 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 submission form should be enclosed
with every shipment.
International sample handling
Zoologix
can perform testing of blood and other liquids from
dry cards, which we provide 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.
We charge a
small deposit per card, which is then credited against your invoice
when the card is returned to us for testing.
Phone 818-717-8880 or
email Zoologix to request dry cards and copies of our import
permits.
Receiving
hours
Zoologix
receives deliveries Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. If shipping overnight, use
STANDARD overnight (NOT early morning or "first overnight")
delivery. Weekend deliveries can
usually be arranged if necessary -- contact Zoologix at least
24 hours in advance to confirm weekend receiving.
Send all
samples to:
Zoologix, Inc.
9811 Owensmouth Ave
Suite 4
Chatsworth CA 91311
USA
Phone: 818-717-8880
