Submission Guidelines

Necropsy Submission Guidelines

  • CVMDL will not accept animals that are submitted in animal traps of any kind for diagnostic testing, e.g. necropsy, rabies testing. Visual inspection of animals will be made at submission, and requests for service may be turned away if animals are live or needing extraction from traps.
  • Animals are accepted for necropsy Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
  • Please leave your animal in your vehicle/trailer when you arrive at the laboratory.
  • Follow the sidewalk around the back of the building to the entrance. We will go over your paperwork and then meet you outside to admit your animal.
  • Animals should be kept refrigerated prior to submission if submitted within 48 hours following death.  Animals that would be submitted later than a 48-hour postmortem interval should be frozen.
  • Small animals intended for necropsy should arrive packaged either in a carrier, box, or bag. For long transport please include gel ice packs (not wet ice)
  • Visit the Submission Forms page to find a necropsy form specific to your animal of submission.

Rabies Submission Guidelines

Rabies Viral FA testing is performed by the CVMDL only when there has been NO significant human exposure. Rabies Testing Submission Form (PDF)

  • In cases involving human Rabies Viral, FA testing is performed by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health Virology Laboratory at 395 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (860)920-6662
  • If a complete necropsy is required, the animal may be sent to the CVMDL by prior arrangement. Under these circumstances, rabies samples will be collected and forwarded to the Connecticut State Department of Public Health by courier. Rabies Viral FA testing will also be conducted at the CVMDL. The necropsy will not be performed until the animal is confirmed negative for rabies.
  • In cases in which specimens submitted to the CVMDL for Rabies Testing Only must be sent by courier to the State Department of Health due to exposure status, a $25.00 shipping and handling fee, in addition to a brain removal fee for select species, will be charged. If a complete necropsy is required, the animal may be sent to the CVMDL by prior arrangement. Under these circumstances, the shipping and handling fee is waived. The necropsy will not be performed until the animal is confirmed negative for Rabies virus.
  • No live animals will be accepted by the laboratory. Submission of the head only is preferred. Specimens should be properly packaged – contained in two separately sealed heavy plastic bags, preferably within a sealed container. Each specimen must be accompanied by a submission form on the outside of the container.
  • Bat Submission Guidelines. No live animals will be accepted by the laboratory. CVMDL will not accept animals that are submitted in animal traps of any kind for diagnostic testing, e.g. necropsy, rabies testing. Visual inspection of animals will be made at submission, and requests for service may be turned away if animals are live or needing extraction from traps.  Bats should be in a clear container to facilitate a visual assessment of status.   Live bats submitted through couriers will be returned via the same courier at the submitter's expense. If bats reported as deceased are found alive a hazardous euthanasia fee of $200.00 will be added to the case.
  • Animals for rabies testing should be refrigerated or kept on ice, not frozen, prior to delivery to the CVMDL. Animal submissions are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm. The presence of CVMDL staff is required for submission. Submissions are not accepted outside of these times.
  • Rabies testing is performed Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays).
  • Please see Test & Fees, Rabies Submission for pricing information
  • CVMDL Rabies testing in the News: https://blog.extension.uconn.edu/2017/10/20/bats-and-rabies-how-uconn-may-help/