Primate Testing
Due to the potential health risk to ISUVDL personnel, the laboratory does not accept any samples or provide testing on primate species.
Venomous and Poisonous Species Testing
Venomous and poisonous species are accepted as deceased specimens only. Whole bodies or tissue samples should be placed in a tightly sealed, rigid plastic container inside a sealed cardboard box. The outside of the plastic container and the submission form should be clearly marked with “venomous species” or “poisonous species” as appropriate.
Subcontract Testing
The ISU VDL reserves the right to subcontract any work required to complete testing of any and all submissions. Any subcontracted work will be noted on the case report.
Disposal – Accepting Animals for Disposal
The VDL does not accept submissions for disposal purposes only.
Return of Bodies and Cosmetic Posting
The ISUVDL does not perform cosmetic necropsies, and does not return animal remains to veterinarians or owners.
If desired, arrangements for pickup must be made with an authorized crematory service and the ISUVDL fully informed of such arrangements in writing at the time of submission.
Reporting Policies
Case reports are available via mail, fax, email, or electronically through the ISU VDL web portal.
Report preferences are determined by the client.
Billing Policies
Cases are billed to the referring veterinarian/client unless otherwise indicated on the submission form. Owners may not be billed directly.
A monthly statement will be sent from Iowa State University Accounts Receivable office. For all charges that are not paid within 30 days of the monthly statement, there will be a finance charge computed from the statement date. ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE: 12%.
Payments should be directed to: ISU Treasurer’s Office, 1220 Beardshear, 515 Morrill Rd, Ames IA 50011. Payable in US funds only.
Complaints and Concerns
Your concerns are important to us. Please call the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at 515-294-1950. Complaints will be handled by the Director of Operations or an authorized delegate.
Confidentiality
Results are reported as directed by the Submitter (veterinarian/clinic/company) via their preferred communication method.
The following statement is included with all emailed case reports.
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This email (including the attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C.§§ 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it.
Information regarding research/diagnostic cases submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will be forever held in strict confidence by the laboratory and personnel therein. We are committed to protecting a client’s confidential information and proprietary rights.
This information includes:
- Client names, address and other demographic information.
- Owner name, address and other demographic information.
- Specific submission information regarding tests or items submitted.
- Test condition (i.e. the quantity/quality) of specimens noted upon receipt.
- Test results, which are available only to the veterinarian, clinic, or other authorized person and will not be released without proper request and authorization. Test results are available to the authorized submitter via the Internet and are password protected.
- Client complaints.
When positive test results are determined to be on the Federal or state reportable diseases list, the ISU VDL will release required information to the appropriate agencies. This may include; information on the testing veterinarian, animal identification and owner information.
Protection of the client’s confidentiality and proprietary rights is an accreditation requirement as well as legal concern.
Reportable and Quarantinable Diseases Policy
Several infectious or contagious diseases are considered reportable and/or quarantinable under current regulations. As required by law, these diseases are reported to the responsible state or federal agencies. If you are uncertain about the reporting status of a disease, please contact the office of the State Veterinarian. Notifiable diseases include any livestock or poultry disease designated as a ‘Foreign Animal Disease’ by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Veterinary Services (USDA, APHIS, VS). A complete list can be found here: APHIS Reportable Diseases