Where can a skin scraping for subcutaneous mites be submitted? - briefly
Submit the specimen to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory or a parasitology reference center equipped for microscopic examination. University pathology departments and state veterinary services also accept such skin scrapings for analysis.
Where can a skin scraping for subcutaneous mites be submitted? - in detail
Skin scrapings intended for identification of subcutaneous mites must be sent to facilities equipped for microscopic and molecular analysis. Acceptable destinations include:
- Veterinary diagnostic laboratories accredited by national veterinary authorities.
- University parasitology or veterinary medicine departments that maintain a dedicated acarology unit.
- Government reference centers, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or equivalent national health agencies.
- Commercial diagnostic service providers that specialize in ectoparasite identification.
- In‑house clinical pathology labs of veterinary hospitals that possess a certified acarology workflow.
When preparing the specimen, place the scraping on a clean glass slide, cover with a drop of mineral oil, and seal with a coverslip. If molecular testing is required, transfer a portion of the material into a sterile microcentrifuge tube containing 70 % ethanol. Label the package with species, collection date, anatomical site, and a brief clinical history. Ship the slide at ambient temperature; ethanol‑preserved samples should be kept cool but not frozen. Use a reputable courier that offers tracking and a “biological material” designation.
Contact information for each laboratory is typically available on the institution’s website. Provide a pre‑submission form or email with the following fields: owner’s name, animal identification, clinical signs, and any prior treatments. Include a signed release authorizing diagnostic work. Follow the courier’s regulations for hazardous or infectious material to avoid delays.
Ensure that the specimen reaches the laboratory within 48 hours of collection to preserve mite integrity. Prompt submission enables accurate morphological identification and, when necessary, DNA sequencing for species‑level confirmation.