Updated: 02/23/07

Animal Health Testing Fees
& Sampling Information

For more information, e-mail Animal Hlth Testing Lab staff or phone (360)753-2228.

The Microbiology Laboratory, located in Olympia, supports the department's Food Safety Program by testing food and dairy products for food poisoning organisms and by examining food products for contamination by insects, rodents or filth.  The laboratory only accepts food samples from the Food Safety Program. 

Please contact the Food Safety Program if you have questions about food testing. 

The laboratory also tests dairy products for quality and to meet requirements for the interstate shipment of milk. Laboratory staff inspect and certify commercial and dairy-industry laboratories performing officially sanctioned dairy microbiology.  

The Microbiology Laboratory also supports the department's Animal Health  Program by testing animal blood and tissue for disease to aid in disease eradication programs and to allow animals to move interstate or internationally.  

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The laboratory performs diagnostic and export testing for private veterinarians on a fee-for-service basis.  All other activities are supported by the state general fund.

• In-State Fees
• Out-of-State Fees
• Collection & Shipping of Samples:
  • Serology
  • Bacteriology
  • Paratuberculosis
  • Mastitis Culture
  • Trichomoniasis
  • Campylobacteriosis
  • Rabies
  • Avians
  • Shipment of Samples
    
• Laboratory supplies Order Form
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The Animal Health Laboratory is part of the Food Safety, Animal Health & Consumer Services Division of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Our goal is to provide veterinarians with test results that are both timely and accurate.  We analyze both animal blood and tissue samples for veterinarians.

IN-STATE FEE SCHEDULE (Revised 2-14-07)

$10.00 Accession fee for each submission date (per owner)

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OUT OF STATE FEE SCHEDULE (Revised 2-14-07)

$15.00 Accession fee for each submission date (per owner)

For tuberculin and shipping containers or tubes contact Stormy Martin at the Laboratory.

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COLLECTION AND SHIPPING OF SAMPLES

Specimen Collection Guide for Cattle or Horses with Suspected Rabies, West Nile Virus Encephalitis or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.

SEROLOGY

Hemolysis and bacterial overgrowth are the two biggest problems encountered in serological procedures. They can be largely avoided by drawing samples into sterile tubes. After allowing the blood to sit for several hours on the clot or overnight in the refrigerator, the serum should be decanted into a second sterile tube. As a rapid alternative, allow the blood to clot, use a wooden applicator stick to separate the clot from the tube wall and centrifuge. Caution must be used, however, as this may result in a gelled sample which is of limited value for testing. We also suggest shipping on ice packs, especially with swine and sheep serum, which appear to be more fragile than serum of other species.

The exception of the above is bovine blood submitted for Brucella abortus serology, which will be accepted in standard bleeding tubes and on the clot.

For single test, two ml of serum is required. For multiple procedures, please submit five ml of serum. Identification numbers should be placed on the tube, not the cap.

As part of our Brucellosis surveillance program, we routinely screen all bovine samples with B.abortus antigen. All interpretations as to reactor status, vaccination titers, etc. are made by the State Veterinarian’s office.

Sample submission forms must accompany the samples and be filled out properly. Anaplasmosis forms are also available and either of the two may be used for other diseases such as Bluetongue and Bovine Leukosis. Make sure the test requested is clearly marked on the form. Requests for blood tubes and shipping boxes should be made to our office.

Turn-around time varies with the tests performed, ranging from two to five days. Large herd submissions for multiple tests may extend the reporting time, depending on laboratory load. Some of the serology tests are not set up every day, so if you have an emergency request, please call us and advise us of your needs. Preliminary test results will be forwarded by telephone, if requested.

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BACTERIOLOGY

For tissue, urine, feces, etc., submit samples on ice packs to avoid decomposition in transit. Seal each sample in a separate plastic bag and place in a second plastic bag to assure fluids will not escape. Identify all bags as to owner. When submitting swabs, culturette-type envelopes are preferred. If the swabs are allowed to dry out, any pathogens present may expire. Do not submit swabs in thioglycollate broth unless for special culture purposes.

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PARATUBERCULOSIS

Submit fecal samples for Paratuberculosis culture in separate containers or plastic bags (no OB sleeves, please). Do not freeze, but ship on ice packs unless delivering directly to the laboratory. If using a plastic sleeve for collection do not use a lubricant as traces of the lubricant may be carried over to the sample and may interfere with culture results. If more than ten animals are being tested by culture, please advise us in advance so that sufficient media will be on hand. We observe these cultures for up to 12 weeks before reporting them out as negative.

MASTITIS CULTURE

Milk may be submitted as quarter samples or composites, in sterile tubes or plastic bags. Make sure they are collected aseptically, chilled immediately, and shipped on ice packs. Sterile tubes will be supplied if requested.

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TRICHOMONIASIS AND CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS

Transport media will be supplied in separate tubes for Trichomonas sp. and Campylobacter sp. Please advise the laboratory of your needs in advance if possible, as the Campylobacter medium is an anaerobic preparation and has a short shelf life. The transport media should arrive back at the laboratory within 24 hours after inoculation.

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SHIPMENT OF SAMPLES

Samples may be sent to us via US Mail, Greyhound Bus or other shipment services. Samples sent by US Mail should be sent PRIORITY. A local courier service checks the bus station several times a day for packages addressed to us. Also make a note on the bus bill to call the laboratory on arrival. We do not have access to the U.S. Mail on weekends or holidays. Sample submissions should be timed to arrive on Monday through Friday, except for holidays.

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RABIES

Requests for Rabies diagnosis should be directed to the State Public Health Laboratory in Seattle. Telephone (206) 361-2829 for details on submission procedures.

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AVIANS

Requests for testing of Avians should be directed to the Poultry Diagnostic Laboratory in Puyallup. Telephone (253) 445-4537 for details on submission procedures.

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