Sampling Procedures for CWD Testing

Important: New sampling procedures for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing of farmed cervidae

For farmed cervidae: Collect a section of brain stem that includes obex and one medial retropharyngeal lymph node. Place both tissues in 10% buffered formalin and submit them to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL). If buffered formalin is not available, tissues can be packed in ice and submitted fresh. It is also acceptable to submit frozen tissues when submission is delayed, although this method is less desirable. Please use the standard VDL necropsy submission form. Always provide owner's name, address, animal identification, sex, and age. Request CWD testing by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Laboratory fees for CWD testing of farmed cervidae are paid by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Note: It is critical for test accuracy that the proper lymph node be submitted. Improper samples will be reported as unsuitable for testing. If you would like training on CWD sample submission procedures, please contact Veterinary Continuing Education at 612-624-3434.