Either a buccal swab sample or a blood sample is needed for animal DNA tests.
How to take a buccal cell DNA sample:
Buccal swab test kits can be ordered when placing an order on our website. Alternatively it is also possible to order test kits by email: [email protected]. Testing requires two buccal swab samples per animal.
Before collecting the sample, make sure that the animal’s mouth is as clean as possible to avoid contamination of bacteria or other foreign DNA, for example, from other dogs or cats in the same household.
Follow the steps below:
- Open the package. Place the buccal swab between the dog’s or cat's buccal surface and the gingiva and brush the buccal surface firmly for about 15 seconds. You need to put some pressure to make sure the cheek cells will stick into the swab. The colour of the swab doesn't change after sampling.
- Air dry the swabs at least 15 minutes. This is important, because wet swabs may get contaminated.
- Place the swabs back to their original package and close it with sticky tape.
- Write the animal's name and register number on the cover of the package. Please send also a sampling information form/ printable order summary with the samples. We need both the owner’s contact information and the animal information.
- Ship the samples to Genoscoper Laboratories (PL 162, FI-00381 Helsinki, FINLAND). If it's not possible to send the samples right away, they can be stored in a fridge for a few days.
Blood sample:
- A blood sample should be taken by a veterinarian or a person authorised to take blood samples. The blood sample should be shipped to us along with the filled sampling information form.
- Please take around 0,5-3 ml of blood into a tube containing EDTA. Invert the tube several times in order to mix the EDTA with blood preventing any clotting.
- If possible, do not store the sample for days before sending, except in cases where the sample has been taken before the weekend. Keep the sample in the refrigerator until shipping (preferable shipping days are Mondays and Tuesdays). Do not freeze the samples. Wrap the blood tube carefully in soft tissues or paper for shipment.
Photo: A buccal cheek swab sample is easy to collect with a small sampling brush.