Transport of samples
How do you transport live animals?
For transportation of animals please refer to the national regulations regarding animal welfare and animal disease control.
-Live animals or animals that have only been dead for a few hours are best suited for diagnosis.
- Transport live animals gently! Prior sedation is possible.
-Pay attention to hygiene during transportation.
-Ensure that the animals are clearly identified (ear tags).
-Register animals by telephone on +49 511 953 7850.
Swab samples for microbiological cultural examination
Always send in transport medium:
-e.g. Amies medium with or without charcoal (for adsorption of toxins): suitable for the transportation of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria, such as (Glaesserella spp., Brachyspira spp., Clostridium spp., Bordetella spp. etc.)
-e.g. Cary-Blair medium (particularly suitable for enteropathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella ssp., E. coli, etc.)
-Samples for PCR testing can be sent deep-frozen.
Notes on sending samples by German post
For shipment of samples including packaging and labelling, the international and national regulations of ADR („Accord européen rélativ au transport international des marchandises Dangereuses par Route“) and GGVSEB (Gefahrgutverordnung Straße, Eisenbahn und Binnenschifffahrt) apply.
- Leak-proof and shatter-proof double packaging of liquid and solid material must be ensured (EN 829).
- If pathogenic agents are suspected in the material: Please send the sample packed according to EN 829 as dangerous goods in a case-tested cardboard box according to UN 3373 (P 650) exclusively as a ‘’Maxibrief’’ according to the regulations of the German Post.
- If there is no suspicion of pathogenic agents in the material: Please send the sample packed according to EN 829 as '’no dangerous goods'’ in a plastic or paper envelope with the inscription "Exempted veterinary sample".
- The sending of animal carcasses by German post is not permitted and, according to UN 3373, only possible with dangerous goods transport companies (comply with ADR regulations). Such shipments are only useful to a very limited extent (autolysis!).
- Make sure that the samples are clearly identifiable.
- Do not send samples by German post over a weekend.
