A tick on a dog: where should it be sent for analysis? - briefly
Send the tick to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory or a public‑health agency that conducts arthropod testing, such as a state animal health lab or the CDC’s vector‑borne disease division. Include the collection date, geographic location, and keep the specimen sealed and refrigerated until shipment.
A tick on a dog: where should it be sent for analysis? - in detail
When a tick is found on a canine patient and laboratory identification is required, the specimen must be handled and dispatched according to established veterinary diagnostic protocols.
The first action is to remove the arthropod with fine forceps, avoiding compression of its abdomen. Place the intact tick in a sealed, breathable container such as a small vial with a screw‑cap lid. Add a few drops of 70 % ethanol if the target analysis includes DNA‑based pathogen detection; for morphological identification, keep the specimen dry. Label the container with the animal’s identification number, date of collection, geographic location, and collector’s name.
Next, select an appropriate laboratory. Options include:
- State or provincial animal health laboratories that provide free or subsidized testing for common tick‑borne diseases (e.g., Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis).
- University veterinary schools with parasitology or microbiology departments that accept external specimens for species confirmation and pathogen screening.
- Private veterinary diagnostic companies offering rapid PCR panels for multiple tick‑borne agents.
- Public health agencies when the tick species is known to transmit zoonotic pathogens to humans; these agencies often have dedicated vector surveillance units.
Before shipping, verify the laboratory’s submission requirements. Most facilities request a completed requisition form specifying the desired tests (morphological ID, PCR for Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., etc.). Include any relevant clinical information, such as recent signs, travel history, and preventive treatments administered to the dog.
Package the labeled vial in a secondary container with absorbent material, then place it in a rigid outer box. Use a “Biological Substance, Category B” label if the specimen is in ethanol; otherwise, a standard “Exempt Human Specimen” designation is acceptable. Ship via overnight courier to preserve DNA integrity, especially when PCR assays are requested.
Upon receipt, the laboratory will confirm tick species, assess for bacterial, viral, or protozoal agents, and issue a report with identification results, pathogen load (if applicable), and recommended therapeutic actions. Retain the report for the animal’s medical record and for any required notifications to public health authorities.