All samples should be shipped to:
Dr. Giger - PennGen (Insert name of test, e.g., Cat PK or Beagle FVII)
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
3900 Delancey Street / Rm 4013
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010
In order to maximize results, minimize postage losses, and expedite the testing process, please follow the appropriate packaging/mailing guidelines below:
DNA Tests
Blood tubes need to be sealed in a Ziploc bag, and then wrapped in bubble wrap or other protective packaging. These samples do not need to be shipped on ice. Buccal swabs need to be handled according to our buccal swab sample collection protocol. All DNA tests can be shipped by regular mail, but we recommend sending as registered or higher, so that you can track that the sample has been delivered. You can ship any day of the week. JDCM samples have separate shipping instructions, please see the JDCM Instructions on this page.
Metabolic Screen, Fanconi Syndrome, or Urine Cystinuria Tests
The urine sample for these tests MUST be shipped overnight, ON ICE. Sending samples through the regular mail or without ice packs will cause the sample to degrade and may cause null conclusions to be drawn from the screen. Only ship urine samples on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have a fresh sample and cannot ship it on these days, immediately freeze it (-20 degrees) after collection, and wait until the next Monday.
Transfusion Medicine Related Tests and Blood Typing Tests
The majority of these tests are by prior arrangment only. Please do not send samples without first contacting penngen@lists.upenn.edu or calling the Transfusion Lab (215) 573-6376. In addition to any other advice given after consultation, all samples need to be shipped overnight, ON ICE with a control sample.
If you are requesting an osmotic fragility test, please send an EDTA tube from a control animal along with the patient's sample.
JDCM - Portuguese Water Dog Linked Marker Study
Ship blood either 2-day, or regular mail with ice packs to:
Dr. Paula Henthorn / JDCM Test
Ryan Veterinary Hospital, Rm. 4022
University of Pennsylvania
3900 Delancey St.
Philadelphia PA, 19104-6010
See the JDCM Submission Form for further details.
International Samples
When shipping internationally first verify shipping requirements as described by your choice of delivery services provider (UPS, FedEX, ParcelForce etc).
US Customs requires that all international shipments have two written declarations specifying the contents of the package. One declaration should be secured to the outside of the package, and the other should be inserted inside the package. Please copy the following statements onto a piece of paper, preferably your own letterhead, and make sure to sign and date this declaration.
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Regarding USDA Guidelines of Importation - #1102 Feline and Canine Material
I understand that a USDA import permit is not required for this material since I can provide the following true statements.
- The material in this shipment is [canine/feline] [blood/serum/fluids].
- This material does not contain any other animal derived material (i.e., does not contain any livestock or poultry origin material).
- This material was NOT derived from cats and/or dogs which were inoculated with or exposed to any infectious agents of agricultural concern.
I declare that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signature:
Print Name:
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For more information on this guideline, please visit the USDA webpage.