Sample Prep & Shipping

Avian and Wildlife Laboratory

Learn More About the Division

Contact Us

The Client Services Division is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm EST. We are ready to help you with all your questions.

Phone: 800-596-7390 Phone: 305-243-6700 Email

See the Test Info tab for pricing and specimen requirements for each test.

CBC

For most avian species, we recommend that blood be drawn in a LT (EDTA) tube. Use a small pediatric tube to make sure of proper blood:anti-coagulant ratio. Submit two fresh blood smears on full length slides (not coverslips). See Video on slide preparation. For ratites, magpies, crows, ravens, jays, some duck species, cranes, hornbills and all reptiles, fish, and elasmobranchs, GT (lithium heparin) tubes should be used. DO NOT put whole blood near or on a cold pack. Cold packs are acceptable but make sure that your sample is not in direct contact where it could possibly freeze.

Chemistry

All of our reference ranges are based on lithium heparin plasma. After collection of the sample, centrifuge and separate plasma into a separate transport tube ( not into another tube with anticoagulant). Cold pack optional for overnight delivery. Serum is also acceptable.

Acute Phase Protein, Serology Tests and Electrophoresis

All of our avian and reptile ranges are based on lithium heparin plasma. Serum is acceptable for all tests.

DNA tests

Heparinized blood and swabs (non-gel type) are acceptable.

How to Make Blood Smears

Blood smears are the most important part of great CBC results. Smears should preferably be made without any anticoagulant at the time of sample acquisition. If you must delay, please aim to make smears within a few minutes of the blood being placed in the blood tube. If you wait and have us make the smear on arrival, the blood has lots of artifacts including smudge cells and degenerated WBC and RBC.

While some advocate cover slip smears, we actually find those that are submitted to our lab are quite thick and the results are not valid. For best results, we recommend the use of the push method which can be done using two slides. Be gentle! Don’t place too much blood on the slide! Check out this video. A little practice makes perfect. Thanks!
Shipping
When shipping, make sure to handle and pack your samples appropriately. For chemistry/serology submissions, it is best to centrifuge and separate the plasma into a size appropriate transport tube (also available from the lab). If you choose to use cold packs, use them sparingly. Insulate whole blood and blood smears from direct contact with the cold pack. Use outer packaging — even when using FedEx plastic overwraps — to prevent sample breaks and leaks.

We recommend using FedEx or UPS for shipping samples. US Mail is an option but sample delivery is often slowed by the university mailroom. It is not uncommon to have delays of 2-3 days or longer. If you want to use US Mail, use the P.O. Box and not the physical address. For FedEx and UPS, use the physical address.

FedEx airbills can be created in the Client Portal as needed. This program applies to Priority Overnight services for 1 pound packages only. Pricing is based on the number of individual submissions present in each shipment. Extra weight, priority shipping, and Saturday pickup is subject to extra charges.
- 1 sample = $15.00
- 2 samples = $7.50
- 3 samples = FREE
FedEx/UPS

UM/Comp Path
1600 NW 10th Ave
RMSB 7101A
Miami, FL 33136
ph 305-243-6700

US Mail - Not Recommended

UM/Comp Path
P.O. Box 016960 R-46
Miami, FL 33101

Sample Prep & Shipping

Learn More About the Division

Contact Us

CBC

Chemistry

Acute Phase Protein, Serology Tests and Electrophoresis

DNA tests

How to Make Blood Smears

Shipping

FedEx/UPS

US Mail - Not Recommended