SUBMISSION OF SPECIMENS

   The success of a diagnostic or surveillance program is dependent upon the quality and description of specimens which are submitted.  Outlined below are methods for collection, description, preservation and shipment of specimens.  Your cooperation is requested in employing these methods.

Information Required

   A specimen tag should be filled out before a specimen is stored. Specimen tags should be attached outside the bags which contain specimens. In addition, the following information should be catalogued for each specimen and forwarded by letter to the diagnostic centre: 

1.    Species.

2.     Sex.

3.     Age and method of ageing (if possible).

4.     Collector -Name

      -Address.

5.    Ministry liaison -Name

      -Address.

6.     Date of collection.

7.     Elapsed time from death until specimen stored.

8.     Method of storage (refrigerated, frozen, fixed).

9.     Location of collection (district and township or other, e.g., lake).

10.     Habitat of collection.

11.     Cause of illness or death (if known).

12.     Information requested.

13.     District specimen number.

In addition the following data are important when applicable:

1.     Distance of collection from nearest road or body of water.

2.     Behaviour of animal prior to death.

3.     Posture of animal when found.

4.     Other animals found dead in immediate area.

5.     Number of eggs in clutch if eggs are submitted.

6.     History of use of toxic chemicals in area if toxins suspected as a cause of death or if toxicological examination requested.

7.     Location and approximate number of parasites in a host if parasites submitted for identification.

A full set of this information should be retained in the field office.

Submission of Specimens

Whenever possible, perishable specimens should be driven or sent by air express to the nearest approved diagnostic centre.  Perishable specimens should be labelled as perishable and shipped by air or bus ONLY on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday mornings to ensure that specimens can be located and received the day of shipment.  Fixed specimens, but not perishable specimens, could be shipped by mail or rail.

The diagnostic centre must be notified by phone or telex when specimens are being shipped.  For efficient pickup, it is necessary to provide 1) the flight number, 2) estimated time of arrival and 3) the waybill number of the shipment.

Handling of Specimens

(1) Carcasses

Whole carcasses should be submitted in either a fresh or frozen state.  Fresh carcasses (48 hours or less since death) which are not decomposed are the most valuable for diagnosis of disease problems.  If a fresh specimen is received but cannot be sent to a diagnostician immediately, tissues should be excised and fixed.  Small blocks of lung, liver, heart, spleen and kidney should be fixed in 10% formalin.  These blocks should be no larger than a cubic centimetre.  Formalin will not rapidly fix larger blocks of tissue.  If a number of lesions are evident on the liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys or musculature, some lesions from each tissue should be fixed and others left in situ.  Lesions larger than a cubic centimetre should be removed in their entirety.  A cut into large lesions with a scalpel will accelerate fixation.  The remainder of the above mentioned organs should be frozen with the rest of the carcass.  Brains should be frozen intact.

Fixed tissues will be used for histopathology.  Frozen tissues will be used to culture bacteria and other infectious organisms or be used for toxicological studies when necessary.

Specimens which have been dead for an undetermined length of time or for more than 48 hours should be frozen as soon as possible and shipped in a frozen state.  Specimens which are frozen when received should not be thawed prior to shipment to the diagnostic centre.

(2) Parasites

Parasites submitted for identification should be fixed and shipped in 10% formalin.

(3) Eggs

Eggs submitted for pesticide analysis or other purposes must never be frozen.  They should be held in a refrigerator until the time of shipment.  Careful packaging will avoid breakage of eggs during transit.

When there is doubt about the handling of specimens do not hesitate to telex or telephone the nearest diagnostic centre or the Research Section, Wildlife Branch at Maple.