College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Minnesota Urolith CenterHow to prepare and package samples

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Preparing your sample

• Please submit samples dry• Bloody uroliths should be rinsed gently in water and allowed to air

dry.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Preparing your sample

• Place clean dry uroliths in a labeled, non-breakable container. Such as a clean plastic vial, ziploc bag, or whirl pac bag. • Label specimen container with the owner/patient name.

• DO NOT SEND IN FORMALIN OR ANY LIQUID. These require special handling and will delay processing.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Submit sample information online

• Login at our website urolithcenter.org and enter the patient/sample information. • If your clinic is setup for email correspondence you will receive an

email:• After the sample information is entered• When the sample arrives at the laboratory• When results are completed

Help save paper – if your clinic is still signed up for getting results faxed – go to urolithcenter.org, my clinic and adjust your clinic settings for correspondence.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Packing slip

• Print out the packing slip and address label. Confirm owner/patient names on specimen container and paperwork match.• you notice any errors, write the correction on the submission form. We will

update the record when the sample arrives in our laboratory.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Packing slip

• Place the specimen container in a plastic bag and using one staple, attach to the back of the submission form –OR-

• Use a two pouch plastic bag with the sample in the Ziploc portion and the submission form folded in the outer pocket with the barcode facing out.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Packing the sample

• Place the sealed plastic bag containing the specimen vial, packing slip and packing material in a sturdy outer box. • Secure the package with

packing tape. • Adhere the address label

(second page of packing slip) to the outside of the package if needed.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Shipping Method

• The package can be shipped via§ USPS*§ FedEx§ UPS§ or other carrier.

*If shipping via USPS, visit usps.gov to calculate the appropriate postage for parcel size and weight.

• If shipping from outside the USA, use a carrier that allows for customs inspection. Do not use the regular postal service.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

DO NOT

• Do not rubber band the submission form around the vial. It is very time consuming to unwrap, and impedes document scanning. • Do not place the submission form inside the vial. Specimens can be

lost when we retrieve the form. • Do not submit samples in Bio-Hazard Bags it require us to use special

handling and disposal.• Uroliths from animals are designated IATA class UN3373 and are NOT

biohazardous

• Do not mail glass/plastic vacutainer tubes in paper envelopes.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Questions?

When will you receive results?• Our current turn-around time is listed on our website at urolithcenter.org

How will you receive results?• If your clinic is setup for email correspondence you will receive an email:

• After the sample information is entered• When the sample arrives at the laboratory• When results are completed

Help save paper – if your clinic is still signed up for getting results faxed – go to urolithcenter.org, my clinic and adjust your clinic settings for correspondence.

Additional information can be found at urolithcenter.org under the resources tab.

College of Veterinary Medicineurolithcenter.org

Thank you!

Quantitative urolith analysis is supported by a generous educational gift from Hill's Pet Nutrition and by essential voluntary contributions from pet owners, industry partners, and veterinary clinics worldwide.

Donate to Minnesota Urolith Center