For animals up to 10kg inside the UK please use our Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed Response Service.

This should be cheaper and more straightforward than most couriers. The cost will be included in your invoice. Please contact IZVG Pathology (01535 692000) for detailed instructions including our personalised response label

When submitting a carcass by this method please follow the instructions we send you carefully. You should include:

• Suitably packaged carcass (see below)
• A completed IZVG Pathology Submission form
• A completed Category 1 Animal By-Product form

Please note: The Post Office only permits members of the public to submit specimens through the post under the direction of a veterinary surgeon or registered laboratory.

Packing Guidance

Rules govern how specimens must be packaged for postage. It is important that these are followed to prevent specimens being destroyed and to avoid public health risks following the handling of improperly packaged specimens

Only freshly dead carcasses are suitable for post mortem examination. If you are unsure, please discuss this with us. Specimens deteriorate rapidly; it is important to make arrangements as soon as possible.

Ideally, carcasses should be stored refrigerated in a suitable appliance designated for that purpose. Frozen carcasses are less useful than refrigerated ones, but may yield diagnoses. Carcasses can also be stored outside in a cool place, inaccessible to pets, wild animals and children.

Detailed regulations for packing are available but a practical approach is summarised here:

• Place the carcass in a heavy duty plastic bag (ideally a clinical waste bag)
• This bag must then be wrapped in an absorbent material such as cotton wool, absorbent paper or cellulose wadding. Sufficient absorbent material must be used to absorb all possible leakage in the event of damage. This must then be placed within another similar plastic bag and sealed to produce a leak-proof package
• Wash and disinfect your hands
• The package should then be placed within a rigid, crush proof container (e.g. sturdy plastic tub & clip-down lid/Tupperware or strong cardboard box with full depth lid) with the lid firmly fixed using self-adhesive tape.
• This container should then be packaged, within a bubble-lined post-bag or other external impervious wrapper, along with one of our completed Submission forms and a completed Category 1 Animal By-Product form. Please retain a copy of the latter
• Outer layer should be labelled UN3373 Biological Substance Category B

DETAILED PACKING REGULATIONS