Shipping

HOLIDAY CLOSURES: In observance of holidays throughout the year, the UFVH Diagnostic Labs and the UFVH Mailroom Services are CLOSED. Please keep this in mind when shipping your specimens. Samples should arrive no later than one (1) day prior to the holiday or weekend closure. Weekend deliveries are not available at our facility.

  • 12/25 Christmas Day
  • 01/01 New Year’s Day
  • 01/15 Martin L. King Jr. Day
  • 05/27 Memorial Day
  • TBD UF Homecoming (Hospital Open)
  • 06/19 Juneteenth
  • 07/04 Independence Day
  • 09/02 Labor Day
  • 11/11 Veteran’s Day
  • 11/28 – 11/29 Thanksgiving

Shipping Address:

UFVHDL Central Labs Receiving
2015 SW 16th Ave., Room VS-50A
Gainesville, FL 32608

To find out more about our services, contact our Central Labs Administration/Receiving Department Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (352) 294-4726, or you can email us at  diagnosticlabs@vetmed.ufl.edu

FedEx Shipping Billable Stamp:

Authorized use only for University of Florida Veterinary Diagnostic Labs. Not authorized for use with the labs in our Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Departments (Zoological Medicine or the Tortoise Mycoplasma Testing Lab)

  • Cost $27.60 FedEx Priority Overnight shipping option for samples weighing 5 pounds or less (Cost subject to change without notice)
  • Charges for packages received over the weight limit will be billed accordingly
  • Use of shipping options other than the FedEx Priority Overnight  will incur additional fees, and you will be billed accordingly
  • To order FedEx Billable Stamps, contact Diagnostic Labs Central Receiving Department (352) 294-4726

General Supplies Needed to Ship Specimens:

  • Use the most current diagnostic lab submission form, which can be found on our Submission Forms/Fees page.
  • Leak-proof container non-permeable to the contents. Recommend use of Parafilm Wrap to seal lids
  • Absorbent material sufficient to soak up liquid contents in case of leakage
  • Cold Packs (no ice cubes)
  • Sealed inner container
  • Sealed plastic bag containing submission forms/documents; placed outside the inner container.
  • Outer container such as a Styrofoam-lined box, cardboard box, etc.

Shipping Procedures:

  1. Shipping guidelines and requirements for shipment of biological materials may be provided by the shipping service company (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
  2. Weekend Delivery/Sample Integrity: Please note that weekend & holiday deliveries are not possible due to unavailability of receiving personnel. Packages should be shipped so that they arrive no later than 2:30p.m. Monday through Friday. Samples should be submitted in the most timely manner possible to prevent deterioration and ensure diagnostic integrity.
  3. Sample Identification: Label all samples, including the animal’s name or identifying number, owner’s full name and sample source & sample type.
  4. Submission Forms/Documents:  Include completed submission forms inside of a separate Ziploc-type bag to prevent damage from fluid-containing sample leaks. Incomplete submission forms may cause a delay in accessioning of the samples. Please use the submission forms found here:  http://vetmed-labs-a2.sites.medinfo.ufl.edu/submission-forms/
  5. Fluid-containing Samples: Use a leak-proof container and place sample inside a sealable specimen bag (Ziploc) with absorbent material such as paper towels. Use parafilm sealing tape around the lid/tops of the containers to prevent leakage.
  6. Ambient Samples: No ice packs necessary for shipping.
  7. Refrigerated Samples: Do not ship samples with ice cubes as they will melt and leak out. Use commercial grade frozen ice packs. We recommend the use of a Styrofoam cooler box inside a cardboard box.
  8. Frozen Samples: Ship on dry ice or if allowable, ship on sufficient amount of ice packs to keep sample viable. No ice cubes.
    When shipping frozen samples on dry ice and non-frozen samples such as formalin-fixed samples together, package samples separately so non-frozen/fixed samples are kept safe from freezing. Suggestion: Use of a second insulated container within primary shipping box or wrap non-frozen samples with insulating-like material.
  9. Protection: To prevent breakage, pad the samples with bubble wrap, newspaper or some similar type of packing material.

Necropsy Submissions:

You are required to contact our service for detailed instructions on submitting deceased animals to our services. 

Start here on our NECROPSY Webpage: https://labs.vetmed.ufl.edu/homepage/necropsy/

Necropsy: (352) 294-4528

Central Labs Receiving & Administration (352) 294-4726 or email diagnosticlabs@vetmed.ufl.edu

International Samples:

  • May only be sent for histopathology, and only after formalin fixation.
  • Please refer to our USDA permit (PDF): https://labs.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/2018/02/136019.pdf for more information regarding sample processing prior to shipping.
  • Samples must be sectioned to less than 1cm thick and immersed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for a minimum of 24 hours, with one change in formalin prior to shipping.
  • A copy of the import permit must be included with the shipment.
  • Samples from bats, non-human primates, or endangered/CITES-listed animals may NOT be sent via this permit.

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