Recommendations for sampling and dispatching of blood samples for testing of EQUINE NOTIFIABLE DISEASES
General recommendations:
To avoid any delays, please strictly follow these recommendations for sampling.

Sampling:

  • Use proper vacutainer tubes from CVRL or vacutainer from Becton Dickinson UK Cat. No. 368430. Other tube types do not fit in our centrifuges.
  • After taking blood from the jugular vein, the blood in the tubes has to settle.
  • Keep the tubes at room temperature for at least 2 hours. During this time, the serum will separate from the blood clot. Do not freeze or refrigerate the blood during this period.
  • After the serum has separated from the clot, please take the following steps:
  1. If the tubes can reach CVRL within 2 to 4 hours after the initial settling of the blood, send them without centrifugation and without decanting the serum into new tubes. However, the tubes must be kept at +4°C (not frozen) and reach CVRL in a cool container.
  2. If the blood has to be sent to CVRL by courier, the vacutainer tubes that have been kept at room temperature must be centrifuged, and the serum (without any traces of blood) poured into new tubes. To avoid leakage, the tubes should be made of plastic and should be tightly sealed with a lid and paraffin tape. The serum must reach CVRL frozen!
  3. Please submit at least 7 ml of serum.
A completed requisition form signed by an acknowledged veterinarian must accompany all despatched blood/sera. The forms can be obtained from CVRL or downloaded from this site.
CLICK HERE FOR "REQUISITION FORM" LINK IN THE NAVIGATION-TREE
 
Testing Guidelines
  • Do not send samples to CVRL at weekends or on any other festive holidays.
  • CVRL working days are from Sunday to Thursday from 08h00 (8am) to 16h00 (4pm).
  • Our address, email, telephone and fax numbers are included in the Contact Information part of the 'Navigation Tree'
  • Results will only be released when payment is settled. They will be published on the website or emailed to you. They can also be posted to you upon request.
  • Online Credit Card payment is available in our portal. Please register for availing this facility.
  • It is crucial to send samples to CVRL at least 14 days before the import/export of the horse and vital that your fax is working.

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)

  • Samples: Swabs in Amies charcoal media from Mares (cervix, uterus, clittoral fossa, clittoral sinuses) or Stallions (urethra, urethral fossa and diverticulum, prepuce, pre-ejaculatory fluid).
  • Transportation: Swabs must be transported cool at refrigeration temperature and must reach CVRL within 48 hours after collection.
  • Swabs can be purchased from CVRL by prior arrangement.

Please refrain from telephoning CVRL for results.

  • Results will be available after the duration specified for the test and when payment has been received.
Duration
The time required for the testing is as follows :
Disease Duration (Working days)
African Horse Sickness  (AHS)  3
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) 4 - 6
Dourine 3
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) 7 - 14
Glanders 3
Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) 4
Piroplasmosis 3
Surra 3
CVRL will not release the results until payment is finalized.
 
Bank Details
CVRL
New Account Number: 101-10188088-01
Emirates Bank International
Jumeirah Branch
Dubai, UAE

Swift Code:EBILAEAD