A variety of carriers can be used to ship samples to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. Choose a carrier that will deliver within 24 - 48 hours. Check the “Special Submissions Instructions” in the test information for any specific recommendations for your sample submission. Try to avoid weekend and holiday delivery. A carrier that utilizes a tracking system and quick delivery is suggested.
Most submissions should be shipped with several ice packs. Pre-paid mailing labels will be provided upon request by calling the lab at (970) 297-1281. When using these labels, simply drop the package in the mail and postage will be included on your bill. Postage will be prorated when several submissions are received in the same shipping container.
Mailing labels for biopsies are provided with our biopsy mailer kits. These labels need only be placed visibly inside the outer container we furnish. Initially, you will receive a mailing containing six specimen bottles filled with 10% buffered formalin. As bottles are received by the laboratory, replacement mailers will be returned to you.
We have an agreement with Federal Express for specimen shipment. The discounted cost of using this service will be added to your accession charge. Saturday service (pick up or delivery) is an additional charge.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has strict guidelines for transporting infectious substances to protect public health. There are also carrier rule variations. Please familiarize your staff regarding the proper packing of specimens in order to abide by regulations and to protect the safety of those handling and transporting samples.
Transporting Infectious Substances Safely
Please visit the FedEx site and search for "Shipping Clinical Specimen" or "Shipping Clinical Samples"
"Pointers on Shipping Clinical Samples, Biological Substance Category B (UN 3373) and Environmental Test Samples" is also a very good reference downloaded from the FedEx site in 2007.
Please visit UPS and search for their "New Carrier Variations/DOT Requirements" when utilizing UPS services to ship specimen.
Please visit the USPS Publication 52 - "Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail" in order to use USPS services to ship specimen.
Specimens submitted to the CSU-VDL, including carcasses, tissues and agents isolated from samples, become the property of the CSU-VDL unless other arrangements are made in writing prior to or at the time of submission.
The lab provides fixative-filled containers and pre-labeled mailers for your convenience. Simply order your mailers, place appropriate, properly packaged, histopathology sample in the mailer, include completed paperwork and pre-filled label, and simply place the mailer in your mailbox. We will bill you for the postage on your invoice for the submission.
Rocky Ford Diagnostic Laboratory27847 Road 21Rocky Ford, CO 81067Phone: (719) 254-6382Fax: (719) 254-6055cvmbs-vdl_rockyford@colostate.edu
Western Slope Diagnostic Laboratory3164 B 1/2 RoadWestern Slope, CO 81503Phone: (970) 243-0673Fax: (970) 242-0003vdl_western_slope@colostate.edu
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