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 a 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 absorbant 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 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: