To: Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Practice Managers

From: Dr. Amar Patil, New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory

Subject: Availability of bacterial culture mailers

The New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL) has bacterial culture mailers for submission of swab and urine samples. It conveniently allows veterinarians to submit swab and urine samples for culture utilizing overnight courier delivery (Fed-Ex). The AHDL offers separate mailers for urine and swab. Collection tubes for urine and swab contain preservative to protect sample integrity.

The culture mailer kit contains submission form, return shipping label, Clinical Pak envelope, specimen bag, and Amies swab or urine collection tube.  Submitting culture sample is as easy as 1, 2, 3…...

1.  Retrieve contents from the box/envelope. Collect urine in tube or swab lesion/site, place swab or urine tube in specimen bag, and place specimen bag back in the box/envelope. Include filled submission form.
2. Place box/envelope in the Fed Ex Clinical Pak envelope and attach return shipping label
3. Call Fed Ex pickup (1.800.463.3339) or schedule online pickup or drop in any Fed Ex location or drop-off box.

 Mailers are free. Mailers can be either picked up from the laboratory or shipped to you. The shipping fee to ship mailers to your practice is waived at this time. Mailers can be ordered by calling laboratory (609) 406-6999 or e-mailing jerseyvetlab@ag.nj.gov . The supply request form is also available on the AHDL website: http://jerseyvetlab.nj.gov/sample/supplies/ .

The current test fee is $40 per swab or per urine sample for cultures and sensitivities submitted using the mailers. Antimicrobial sensitivity will be reported as Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).

Please visit the smart phone friendly AHDL website to learn more about our expertise, quality, and services: www.jerseyvetlab.nj.gov.

We appreciate your feedback. Please take the customer satisfaction survey on the AHDL website: http://jerseyvetlab.nj.gov/contact/survey/