Frequently Asked Questions

While you may email completed TVMDL Submission Forms and regulatory forms, please ensure your sample shipment also contains the necessary documentation.

• College Station lab: clientservices@tvmdl.tamu.edu.
• Canyon lab: canyonclientservices@tvmdl.tamu.edu

A TVMDL Submission Form is required for general submissions. Most regulatory tests will require a specialized form, in addition to a TVMDL Submission Form. All forms can be found on the Forms page.

Please email a copy of your submission form to the TVMDL lab that will be performing testing.

TVMDL clients with an activated account status are eligible to create a Client Portal account to access test results, invoices, and additional information about the cases associated with your client account.

• Click on the “My Account” tab in the main menu.
• Once on the login screen, click “Forgot password” and follow the prompts to create an account.
• Use the email associated with your TVMDL client account.

All listings in the TVMDL test catalog include sample collection, storage, and shipping instructions. 

If you are unsure of your sample’s storage needs, call the TVMDL lab that will be performing testing. 

If you are unsure of your sample’s viability, call the TVMDL lab that will perform testing. 

Due to the potential zoonotic risk, TVMDL can only accept primate samples that are fixed in formalin. 

As general guideline, TVMDL recommends clients wanting to submit a large number of samples discuss their case with a veterinary diagnostician.

Clients are strongly encouraged to use the Sample Import Spreadsheet or the Submission Form Continuation page to keep sample and animal information organized. 

Emailing animal identification spreadsheets to the lab performing your testing is greatly appreciated:

• College Station lab: clientservices@tvmdl.tamu.edu.
• Canyon lab: canyonclientservices@tvmdl.tamu.edu. 

An accession is defined as samples from the same animal / herd / flock, originating from a single animal owner, submitted for the same condition, collected at the same time. This allows clients to receive bulk testing of same species (from the same owner) under one accession. Poultry submissions requesting multiples tests (e.g., AI, Mg/Ms, culture, etc.) for a single flock are counted as one accession.

TVMDL does accept samples from non-veterinarians for some tests. However, testing for regulatory purposes can only be requested by individuals authorized by the State Animal Health Official.

If you are unsure if you are authorized to submit samples for a certain test, call a TVMDL lab. TVMDL strongly encourages clients work with a veterinarian regardless of the type of testing they’re requesting, as TVMDL cannot provide interpretation or treatment information. 

It’s not required that rabies samples be sent to TVMDL.

Rabies samples should only be sent to TVMDL for assistance in preparing the proper sample needed for the Texas Department of State Health Services to perform testing. 

Clients can send samples to any TVMDL location, however, if a lab does not perform the test requested, there may be a delay in results to account for transit to the TVMDL lab able to run that test. Each test in the TVMDL test catalog lists the locations available to perform specific testing.

• College Station: Sample drop off area is located on the north side of the building.
• Canyon: Sample drop off is in the vestibule immediately after walking through the front doors. 

The Texas Veterinary Licensing Act prohibits TVMDL from releasing any case information to persons other than the TVMDL Client (Submitter) without prior approval from the Client. 

Samples that arrive during business hours are accessioned and entered into TVMDL’s system the day they arrive. Samples that arrive outside of TVMDL’s business hours are accessioned the following business day. 

• Accessioning refers to the processing and handling involved in safely unboxing samples and entering case information into TVMDL’s system.
• Accession fees apply to each accession/case, not each sample.
• An accession is defined as samples from the same animal/herd/flock, originating from a single animal owner, submitted for the same condition, collected at the same time.
  • This allows clients to receive bulk testing of same species (from the same owner) under one accession. Poultry submissions requesting multiples tests (e.g., AI, Mg/Ms, culture, etc.) for a single flock are counted as one accession.

No. TVMDL does not offer prepaid shipping labels. 

Due to biosafety protocols, TVMDL does not return porous shipping containers.

Non-porous shipping containers, such as hard-sided coolers, can be decontaminated and returned for an additional fee.  

It is strongly recommended that samples be shipped through FedEx or UPS.

Due to the College Station and Canyon labs on-campus locations, samples shipped via USPS are sorted through university postal hubs. This process adds additional transit time and will result in testing delays. 

In general, all samples should be shipped with ample cushioning and absorbent material in an appropriately sized container to comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding the shipment of dangerous goods.

Specific shipping instructions detailed on each listing in the TVMDL test catalog. Additional information can be found on the Shipping page.

No. Please use cold packs. Sufficient absorbent material must be included in the box to absorb condensation and to protect your samples. 

Various sample types may share a container with adequate segregation, cushioning, and absorbent material. Some sample types should not be shipped on cold packs (i.e., slides); please review the TVMDL test catalog for specific sample requirements.

As a reminder, all potentially zoonotic samples should be double bagged. The submission form should be placed in a bag independent of the sample.

Please review the Shipping page for additional details on package markings.

Please see the Locations and Hours page. 

Please see the Locations and Hours page for our correct physical address. If UPS staff express a concern, ask them to override the error on their screen to allow generation of the shipping label.

Please contact the TVMDL Finance team at 979.458.3207.

Each year TVMDL evaluates our test and services fees based on multiple factors to ensure prices stay competitive and that account for any baseline agency updates. 

Proposed fee updates are posted for public comment from July to August with all updates going into effect on September 1. During the period of public comment, clients can access a list of all proposed updates. 

No, TVMDL not longer prints copies of our test catalog. 

All pricing for test offerings can be found in the test catalog.

Note: Test prices do not include TVMDL’s accession fee or fees for additional services. The Non-Test Fees page includes prices for additional charges. 

The TVMDL test catalog includes names and codes for all tests offered at TVMDL.

Please contact the TVMDL location that will be performing testing to consult with a veterinary diagnostician.

No. TVMDL does not perform genetic testing.

Yes. For non-regulatory purposes TVMDL can accept CWD samples from out of state. 

Yes. TVMDL will conduct the test, however the collection and received dates will notify TAHC and TPWD that the submitter did not follow the regulations pertaining to submission.

Horses must have been tested for and received a negative Theileria equi result within 12 months to enter race track grounds.

TVMDL can only share results via fax and email. Clients may also access results through the TVMDL Client Portal.

Prices listed in the TVMDL test catalog may not include referral lab accession fees and are subject to change without notice.

A processing and forwarding fee is also applied to all referral tests. Clients can view all prices for additional charges on the Non-Test Fee page.

Turnaround times vary depending on shipping and the referral laboratory’s testing schedule. Please review the referral lab’s website for information regarding their turnaround times.

Please reference the individual referral laboratory’s website, as not all referral laboratories accept public submissions.

No. That test is only performed at the Texas A&M University Gastrointestinal Lab. Samples submitted to TVMDL intended for the GI Lab will incur a forwarding fee.

Yes. TVMDL is a stand-alone state agency in the Texas A&M University System.

The Gastrointestinal Laboratory (GI) Lab is part of Texas A&M University’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Account numbers, case information, and other account details are not transferrable between entities. 

The GI Lab can be contacted at 979.862.2861. Additional contact information can be found on their website.

During a necropsy, a TVMDL pathologist performs a post-mortem examination of an animal. The pathologist dissects the body and collects tissue samples. A cause of death may not always be conclusive. The price of a necropsy will vary on the type and size of the animal and does not include TVMDL’s accession fee. Additional testing performed on specimens collected during the necropsy examination will incur additional fees.

Please consult with the courier of your choice. While bodies can be shipped to TVMDL, we have observed a variety of shipping issues.

Ideally, bodies should be shipped within 24 hours of death. Triple bag the body to prevent leakage and place it in a hard-sided cooler with cold packs. Bag a completed TVMDL Submission Form separately and place at the top of the body to ensure it is accessible upon arrival. 

Prior to shipment and during transit, the body should be chilled, not frozen. Freezing can alter tissue suitability for examination and additional testing.  

No, TVMDL does perform research or teaching and does not offer this type of program.

Bodies submitted for necropsy cannot be returned to the owner. However, the owner can make arrangements for a crematorium of their choice to retrieve the body for cremation services.

TVMDL does not provide cremation services. Arrangements for cremation must be made by the submitting client with their preferred cremation service provider.

Clients interested in an animal being held for cremation must indicate this request on the TVMDL Submission Form. More information on TVMDL’s cremation policy can be found on the Cremation page. 

Following the completion of a necropsy examination, an animal can be picked up by a third-party professional cremation service. Once you receive a preliminary or final report, call TVMDL to confirm the body is ready for pick up.

Due to storage limitations, TVMDL can only hold bodies for cremation for seven days following a necropsy examination.

All TVMDL locations are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit the Locations and Hours page for information on the state and federal holidays TVMDL is closed. The College Station and Canyon labs have after hours sample drop off areas open 24/7/365.

Staff at the College Station and Canyon labs are available on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to assist with intake of small animals and general samples. Packages that arrive during this time either by courier or in the sample drop off area will be opened and accessioned. Testing will begin the next business day. 

Staff at the College Station and Canyon labs are available on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to assist with intake of small animals and general samples.

Animals can be submitted to the College Station and Canyon labs outside of business hours. Small animals less than 50 pounds can be placed in the after-hours cooler and will be securely stored until the next business day.

Large animals that require assistance from TVMDL personnel will incur an after-hours delivery fee. Visit the Drop Off a Sample page to learn more about after-hours necropsy deliveries. 

TVMDL does not offer a pick-up service. All animals intended for necropsy at TVMDL must be delivered by the client. 

TVMDL is not a veterinary clinic and does not offer appointments. 

TVMDL’s Education Library encompasses case studies and other educational materials.

TVMDL manages the Texas Pullorum-Typhoid Program. Those interested in becoming an authorized tester or learning more about the program should visit the Texas Pullorum-Typhoid page. 

TVMDL offers all Texas A&M University System researchers a 20% discount on testing.

All full-time TVMDL positions are posted on Workday. Those interested in applying for a TVMDL position should visit the TVMDL Career Center. Student jobs are posted on Jobs for Aggies for Texas A&M University students and on Handshake for West Texas A&M University students.

Those interested in requesting a tour should visit the Outreach page. 

All persons working on diagnostic samples must be paid employees of TVMDL. We are not able to host unpaid internships.