Central Nervous Disorders

Sample Submission

Send the following specimens:

• Brain - Split in halves longitudinally. Keep one half fresh and the other half in formalin. In case the brain may not be readily removed from the cranium, send the entire head to the laboratory.
  • The fresh half of the brain should be placed in a sterile plastic bag, and the bag placed in a crush-proof container. It should be kept refrigerated, not frozen, until it reaches the laboratory.
  • Entire heads should be thoroughly chilled, not frozen, and packed in an insulated leakproof container. Ship in an insulated container with sufficient coolant, e.g., gel packs, to maintain refrigeration until the specimens arrive at the laboratory.
• Liver or EDTA blood - Submit for lead analysis. Also send liver for selenium.
• Ileum - Send unfixed ileum for bacterial culture when suspecting Edema Disease in swine.