Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) Typing

Specimen

Collection Information

GENERAL - Label all containers with appropriate information - Animal ID, Owner Name, Veterinarian, Sample Type, Date.
REFRIGERATION - Refrigerate all samples until shipment.
SERUM - Collect blood in a red top or tiger top blood tube. Allow the sample to clot at room temperature before centrifuging or refrigerating. Serum may be submitted in a spun-down tiger top or poured off after spinning into a secondary tube. If submitting specimens from multiple animals, 1) label each tube sequentially (e.g., 1, 2, 3…) to correspond to the specimen/animal order on the submission form; 2) for each specimen, list animal IDs on submission form; and, 3) if >10 animals per submission, please submit an electronic spreadsheet with animal IDs (in sequential order) – this will facilitate accessioning and data entry, reducing turn-around time.
EDTA BLOOD - Collect blood in appropriate vacutainer tube making sure to meet minimum quantity.
FECES - Collect feces in a leakproof container (sealable plastic bag or jar - do NOT submit in gloves). Collect feces that is free of debris and bedding.
SWAB (fecal, respiratory, tissue, purulent) - Synthetic (Dacron/polyester) swabs are recommended. Swabs should be placed in a viral transport system (examples: Viral Culturette, Becton Dickinson; Universal Transport Medium, Copan Diagnostics) or in a sterile, leakproof tube with 0.5 ml sterile saline. Please only utilize bacterial culturette systems for bacterial culture.
FRESH TISSUES - Collect tissues in sterile/clean containers (plastic jars or sealable plastic bags). Separate tissues in different containers and label with tissue type, animal ID, and owner name.
WHOLE ANIMAL - Refrigerate and store the body until it is able to be delivered to the lab for necropsy. With large animals, move the body to a cool, shady area away from direct sunlight. Deliver the whole body for necropsy to ADDL as soon as possible to minimize autolysis.

Shipping Information

OVERNIGHT - Ship overnight in an insulated shipper with ice packs (pack absorptive material to collect moisture) DO NOT SHIP OVER THE WEEKEND OR HOLIDAY - NO SATURDAY DELIVERY
LEAKS - Ensure all samples are in leakproof packages and clearly labeled with Tissue Type/Animal ID/Owner Name. Include absorptive material to collect any leaks - double bag any fresh tissues.
SERUM - Package blood tubes in a blood tube box or wrap securely with a paper towel or bubble wrap to provide protection.
EDTA BLOOD - Package blood tubes in a blood tube box or wrap securely with a paper towel or bubble wrap to provide protection.
FECES - Ensure the container is securely sealed. Double bag all diarrhea samples to contain any leaks.
SWAB - Ship swabs in a sealed container with the appropriate media or in the proper commercial swab transport device.
FRESH TISSUES - If shipping different tissue types, clearly label each container with the owner and animal ID (if applicable) and sample/tissue type. Double bag ALL fresh tissues.