III. PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS FOR LABORATORY SUBMISSION
Note: Once submitted to the TCP Laboratory, specimen remains cannot be returned to
veterinarians or animal owners under any circumstances.
1. If the animal is not a cat and larger than a small dog ONLY THE HEAD OR BRAIN OF THE ANIMAL will be accepted for testing.
2. During the nugget season, specimens are to be sprayed with an insecticide, such as a flea and tick spray containing permethrin, to kill ticks before packaging.
3. Bats may also be submitted alive; however, they should be packaged in an escape-proof
container (e.g. coffee can with tight fitting lid) and labeled: “CAUTION - LIVE BAT.” Under
no circumstances should a bat, dead or alive, be wrapped in anything that could hinder access
to it (e.g. a cloth towel, packing material, etc.).
4. The specimen should not be frozen, as freezing delays the test process. Frozen specimens
can still be tested, but the the tissue must thaw before testing and freezing increases the
probability that the sample will be unsatisfactory for testing.
5. If the specimen is not being transported immediately, refrigerate it and pack as directed
below before transport. Specimens that will be in transit for more than 12 hours should be
packaged as directed below and, additionally, placed in an insulated container.
6. The specimen should be placed in a watertight container, such as a heavy plastic bag tightly
secured, or a container (not glass) with a tight fitting lid to
prevent fluid leakage.
This container should be placed in a larger waterproof unbreakable container, and the space
between the 2 containers packed with coolant packs, NOT DRY ICE OR ICE IN BAGS. The
specimen should be in a separate container from the cold packs.
Note: Couriers are instructed not to pick up improperly packaged specimens.
7. In the event that individuals are exposed to fluid leakage from an animal head, splashed with
fluids or cut during the specimen preparation process, they should immediately wash the
exposed areas thoroughly with soap and water.
The name and telephone number of the exposed individual should be added to the FEL Expedited Euthanasia Request Eval. Form and the type of exposure noted.
8. The [REDACTED] Examination Request Form, TCP-420, ([REDACTED] FORM TCP.27) should be completely filled out and placed in an envelope accompanying the specimen; either securely attached to, or inside, the transport container. If put inside the transport container, the exam form should be in a separate plastic bag from cold packs, preventing it from becoming wet.
Forward specimens to examination centers:
I. TC R&D Dept. of Science, Environmental, and Agricultural Laboratories
II. Reptilian Resistance Movement Dept. of Biological Warfare
III. TinyChanian Dept. of Public Heath; FND Laboratory 2C-E
[REDACTED; PLEASE SEE AN OPERATIVE WITH CLEARANCE IIA FOR ACCESS TO COORDINATES TO
ONE OF THE ABOVE LABORATORIES]
If delivering in person, locate the guard station at the entrance of the complex for advisement. Euthanasia likely.
(Edited 1 minute later.)
TL;DR.
Summary, please?