|
Procedure for Cheek Swab Collection
Two swab brushes are needed for each animal tested. To avoid contamination
by food, do not feed the animal for a minimum of 2 hours before you collect
the sample. If you are collecting from a puppy or kitten do not collect within
2 hours of nursing. If you plan to test more than one animal, remember to wash
your hands in between them and submit each pair of brushes in separate bags.
Instructions:
- Wash your hands before you collect the cheek swab sample.
- Clearly label the envelopes that contain the cheek swab brushes
with the following information: owner’s last name; animal’s name
or ID#; date of collection.
- Open the end of the swab package that shows the word “peel”
printed on it. Be careful not to touch the brush ends as you remove the swab.
- You may need to gently restrain the animal by using one hand
to loosely grip a handful of skin at the nape of the neck as well as one ear
(see figure below). This should give you a fair amount of control while collecting
the sample. Another way to make the collection easier is to ask another person
to assist you in holding the animal and positioning the head.
- Insert the brush end horizontally between the animal’s
upper gums and the inside of the lips on one side of the mouth. Roll the brush
for approximately 10 seconds (or at least 5 full rotations). Make sure the
brush is in contact with the gum/inner cheek tissue and not just the saliva.
- Return the brush to its original package. Let the brushes
sit out for one hour to overnight and then tape the opened end of the package
shut and place in a ZiplocTM bag.
- Repeat the above steps for the other brush, collecting from
the opposite side of the mouth from the previous collection.
- Complete the required submission form for each animal (printed
or typed) and mail with the sample or complete the submission form on the
website below.
- The samples can be mailed by regular or express mail to the
address below.
Contact & Shipping Information:
Dr. Urs Giger / Deubler Laboratory
Veterinary Hospital
University of Pennsylvania
3900 Delancey St., Room 4006
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010
215-898-3375/8894 phone
215-573-2162 fax
penngen@vet.upenn.edu
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/penngen
|
