October • 2002     Culture Specimens Whenever possible, specimens should be obtained before antimicrobial agents are administered. Use sterile technique in collecting the specimen. Provide an adequate amount of specimen. When more than one culture is requested, please provide one swab for each culture needed. Always cap specimens and ensure tube tops are firmly closed. Adequately label the specimen with patient name, source of specimen and collection date. Listing of the suspected disease is also helpful. Avian Blood Lead Testing Please note the change in our preferred sample for Lead concentrations. The preferred sample is 150µl of blood in an unspun green top Microtainer® tube. If using an LT Microtainer® tube, the tube must be half-filled (250µl; fill to the bottom line) to avoid interference from EDTA. (Amendments to Antech Diagnostics News, July 2002) Vaccine Titers The Rabies Titer test code for vaccine titer is 1204 (non-export). The Feline Vaccine Panel includes feline panleukopenia virus, feline rhinotracheitis virus, and feline calicivirus. Test code is S16581.       Please send comments to the webmaster. ©1997-2008 Antech Diagnostics, Inc. Site design and maintenance by amesDesign.