This accreditation status will be reviewed annually through the end of 2012. It gives assur-ance to our clients that we adhere to a quality assurance program that provides validity to our laboratory test results and increases the reliability of our testing services. Full accreditation incorporates the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health in establishing spe-cific accreditation requirements (Office International des Office International des Epizooties, OIE, 2008).

One critical measure for achieving accreditation is the adequacy of facilities. With financial support from the State of New York and Cornell University, a new facility will start construc-tion in June of this year with completion expected in the summer of 2010. The new facility will provide room to decompress currently overcrowded labs as well as space dedicated to development of new test methods and enhanced biosecurity.

We are again offering the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Western Blot test, but the sample must first be run by ELISA. This means the Western Blot cannot be ordered as an in-dependent test. Equivocal FIV ELISA test results for felines, except kittens, will automatically have the Western Blot test run unless the submitter specifies on the submission form not to run it.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) western blot (w/ required ELISA) $31.25 per sample, 2 mL serum, red top blood collection tube, send refrigerated

For information regarding NY County and State Fair BVD testing requirements, go to the NYS Agriculture and Markets web site: http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/bvdpi.html

Dr. John Huntley, NY State Veterinarian, has asked us to provide individual test result certifi-cates for BVD-negative show cattle, when requested. In order to do so, we need to have the submitting veterinarian request individual certificates at the time of sample submission, and provide appropriate and legible permanent animal identification for those animals needing a certificate. Please mark submission forms clearly. If possible, submit testing for animals needing certificates on separate submission forms from animals not needing certificates. BVD test certificates will be returned to the testing veterinarian/practice by the mechanism speci-fied for receiving test result reports.

Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) PCR testing is available at the AHDC for the testing of blood and milk samples for the presence of the BVD virus. Pooled BVD PCR testing is also avail-able, for which the laboratory creates pools from individual blood samples and tests the pool, rather than testing each sample individually. The cost of determining which animal(s) is posi-tive when a pool tests positive is included in the test fee, currently $36.75. Pooled testing should only be used to test otherwise apparently healthy animals for the detection of Persis-tently Infected (PI) animals. Clinical suspects should be tested individually. For pooled testing, individual samples must be submitted separately and identified. Ideally we would like samples to be grouped sequentially by age and specimen type on the submission form. Composite samples will be rejected. Request “Pooled BVD PCR” on the submission form. Otherwise, starting September 1st, individual testing will be performed and billed.

Pooled BVD PCR testing for CATTLE

For cattle under 61 days of age, plasma or serum will not be tested – only EDTA whole blood will be accepted. Ship EDTA whole blood samples overnight – do not freeze. Up to 10 samples of EDTA whole blood will be pooled but only if all animals are under 61 days of age. Another option for BVDV PI testing for cattle under 61 days of age is an ear notch sample for an individual ACE test.

For cattle 61 days of age and older, acceptable samples are EDTA whole blood, EDTA plasma, and serum/red top tubes. Up to 10 samples will be pooled but only if all ani-mals are 61 days of age or older. It is possible to pool plasma samples with serum samples in special situations but please group sample types together on the submission form.

Pooled BVD PCR testing for ALPACAS

Up to 5 samples from animals 61 days of age or older will be pooled. Only 2 samples from animal under 61 days of age will be pooled. Samples from animals in these two different age groups will not be pooled together. For crias under 61 days of age, plasma and serum will not be tested – only EDTA whole blood will be accepted. Ship EDTA whole blood samples over-night – do not freeze.

Please note that the AHDC will not pool ear notch samples or samples for Antigen Capture ELISA (ACE) tests.

For instructions and submission forms, use the following links:
HERDA Instructions for sampling
Two forms are required for submission of samples
  Form 1: AHDC HERDA Submission Form [need one form per group of samples submitted]
  Form 2: Individual Horse HERDA Test Form [need one form for each horse]
  AHDC credit card authorization form