Although it may seem simple; correct packing, handling and shipping of your sample is of utmost importance in achieving a fast and reliable result from the laboratory.
Packaging should consist of three parts:
1. Primary Container (ie. blood in a purple top tube submitted for CBC)
2. Secondary Container (ie. styrofoam sample shipper wrapped in papertowels and enclosed in a ziplock bag)
3. Outer Package (ie. cardboard box)
When submitting blood, urine or other liquid samples, three part packaging is required. The first receptacle is the container the sample is directly in contact with. This container should be rigid and shatter proof. For example, serum for blood chemistry analysis, should be submitted in a red top tube. The first layer of packaging should be wrapped in absorbent material, so that in the unfortunate event the sample container breaks in transit, the sample itself does not leak out of the shipping package. Remember that most veterinary diagnostic samples are considered biohazard by the USPS and commercial shipping services. The workers at these shipping companies do not want to be exposed to potential pathogens or toxins. The primary container should then be placed in a secondary container to further prevent spills. The secondary container could be a leak proof plastic bag or styrofoam tray. For example; you are sending in blood for a Equine Infectious Anemia ELISA test (Coggins), wrap the blood tube in two paper towels. Place the wrapped tube in a foam tube tray. Then the Coggins form and sample in a gallon ziplock bag. Finally, the third layer must be a rigid container. In most cases a card board box is adequate. The sample in it’s first two layers of packaging should be cushioned and secured within this final layer of packaging so as to prevent any damage to contents. Newspapers, bubble wrap or other such material is acceptable. In warm weather ice packs should be added and a Styrofoam lined container is recommended. Keep in mind that specific tests may have there own requirements for sample handing. For example Tritrichomonis samples must not be refrigerated prior to their arrival at the lab. Be sure to read and follow the guidelines for each test on our website or call Following these simple steps will ensure the safe transit of your samples and their arrival in a state conducive to testing. Further information is available at: