Where can I submit a tick for examination? - briefly
You can mail a removed tick to a public‑health laboratory, such as a state health department or the CDC’s Tick Testing Program, for analysis. Veterinary clinics and commercial tick‑testing services also accept specimens for identification and pathogen screening.
Where can I submit a tick for examination? - in detail
If a tick needs laboratory analysis, the specimen can be delivered to several types of facilities.
Veterinary diagnostic laboratories
- State‑run or university‑affiliated animal health labs.
- Private veterinary pathology services.
These centers accept ticks from pets, livestock, or wildlife, provide species identification, pathogen testing, and often issue a formal report.
Public health agencies
- Regional health departments or national disease‑control centers.
- Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) field laboratories in the United States.
Such institutions specialize in detecting human‑relevant pathogens, such as Borrelia, Anaplasma, or Rickettsia, and they may offer free or subsidized testing for specimens submitted by clinicians or the public.
Academic research facilities
- Entomology or parasitology departments at universities.
- Research institutes focused on vector‑borne diseases.
These groups accept ticks for both routine diagnostics and scientific studies, typically requiring a written request and a material transfer agreement.
Commercial testing companies
- Companies that provide DNA‑based identification and pathogen screening services.
- Online platforms that arrange courier pickup and deliver results electronically.
Clients must follow the provider’s packaging instructions and may need to include a completed submission form.
General steps for submitting a tick
- Collect the specimen with tweezers, avoiding damage.
- Place the tick in a sealed container (e.g., a screw‑cap tube) with a moist cotton ball or ethanol, depending on the testing protocol.
- Label the container with date, location of collection, host species, and any relevant clinical information.
- Complete the required submission form, indicating the desired analyses (species identification, pathogen panel, etc.).
- Ship the specimen using a regulated carrier, adhering to any biosafety or import‑export restrictions.
Contact information for major providers is typically available on their websites; phone numbers and email addresses are listed for inquiries about sample handling, turnaround time, and cost. Selecting the appropriate facility depends on the purpose of the examination—clinical diagnosis, public‑health surveillance, or research—and on geographic accessibility.