COVID-19 Update – ADDL Continues Providing Services

March 25, 2020

The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and Heeke ADDL, located at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center in Dubois, Ind., are committed to continue supporting veterinarians, animal owners and the agriculture industry, and protecting public health and the food supply. Therefore, the ADDL is open and providing full diagnostic services, while taking extra precautions and adjusting intake procedures to protect the health and safety of our diagnosticians, staff and clients. As an essential service provider, the ADDL is not directly affected by the COVID-19 restrictions that have been put in place. However, due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ADDL and Heeke ADDL may need to make additional changes as circumstances continue to change. This web page will be updated continually if and as additional modifications to ADDL services become necessary.

Please note the following information and advisories regarding shipments and delivery of specimens to either of the ADDL facilities:

Important Notice Regarding Specimen Shipments

In an effort to streamline the sample delivery process under the current circumstances, the ADDL is recommending that all specimen shipments be sent via UPS or FedEx. Utilizing these services will help to ensure timely delivery and avoid potential delays.

Consider Overnight / Next Day Air Shipping

Due to the potential for courier services to be impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ADDL highly recommends overnight or next-day air for time sensitive shipments.

Large Volume Submissions

Please call ahead before submitting a large number of samples to ensure that the ADDL has sufficient supplies and staff on hand to analyze the samples.

Submission Forms

Please visit the ADDL website to access the most up to date submission forms. Recently, many of our forms were updated to include additional tests. By utilizing the most current version of our submission forms, your diagnostic requests will be processed efficiently and accurately.

On-site Delivery of Specimens

For clients who plan to bring a specimen to the ADDL in West Lafayette, Ind.:

Before coming to the ADDL, have your
veterinarian complete the necropsy submission form and fax / email it to 765-494-9181
/ addl@purdue.edu.
When you arrive, stay in your vehicle and call
the ADDL front desk for instructions at 765-494-7440. Be sure to give your phone number in case you
get disconnected and they need to reach back out to you.
The ADDL staff will relay necessary information
to a technician and then direct you to pull around to the loading dock. Stay in your vehicle and the technician will come
out to get the specimen from you.

For clients who plan to bring a specimen to the Heeke ADDL in Dubois, Ind.:

Before coming to the Heeke ADDL, have your veterinarian
complete the necropsy submission form and fax / email it to 812-678-3412 / addl@purdue.edu.
When you arrive, stay in your vehicle and call
the Heeke ADDL front desk for instructions at 812-678-3401. Be sure to give your phone number in case you
get disconnected and they need to reach back out to you.
The Heeke ADDL staff will relay necessary
information about where to go with your samples. Drive to the designated location, stay in
your vehicle and the technician will come out to get the specimen from you, or
lab staff will give further instructions about where to leave the sample

Remember (for either Lab): be sure you have provided the necessary documentation (submission form) or have it with you when you arrive. Your sample cannot be accepted without the submission form, and due to safety protocols we cannot hand you a form to complete in person.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during these challenging circumstances. If you have any questions, please call the ADDL at 765-494-7440 or the Heeke Lab at 812-678-3401, or email either lab at addl@purdue.edu.

For more information regarding COVID-19, see the informational resources provided by the Indiana Board of Animal Health.

Recent Stories

Take a jog with a dog for a good cause!

Building on the growing success of a long-running community event and Purdue Veterinary Conference tradition, organizers of the 2026 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog are excited about prospects for a great turnout at this year’s run/walk coming up the morning of Saturday, September 26. And there’s still time to register and participants are welcome whether they are jogging with or without a dog or want to run with an adoptable shelter dog.

PVM well-represented by students, faculty and staff at annual AABP meeting

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners’ (AABP) 59th Annual Conference last month in Minneapolis, Minnesota, included significant representation from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. A total of 17 students from the 2nd- and 3rd-year classes attended along with faculty and staff and Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni. Two Purdue veterinary students received special recognition.

In Memory: Dr. Kevin Thomas Schultz (PU DVM ’76)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn of the passing of an alumnus, Dr. Kevin T. Schultz of Dawsonville, Georgia, on August 15, 2026. He was 74.

In Memory: Mair Lewis – former Purdue Veterinary Medicine First Lady

Mair Lewis (née Harris-Hughes), the widow of the late Dr. Hugh Bilson Lewis – the fourth dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine – is remembered with appreciation and admiration by the Purdue Veterinary Medicine community after her passing September 7, 2026, in Vancouver, Washington. She was 83.

“Paws Up” for Dr. Kenitra Hendrix and Dr. Craig Bowen – brought to you by the the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we share appreciation for Dr. Kenitra Hendrix, Associate Dean for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, and Dr. Craig Bowen, Associate Director of the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Department Head of Accessioning.