Instructions for Sample Submission

Please follow these instructions to obtain a DNA sample and remember to provide all the necessary information when you send your animal’s sample.  You need to send either a blood sample or cheek swabs but not both, and we prefer a blood sample.  To receive swab kits, please e-mail penngen@vet.upenn.edu with the number of animals to be tested, your name and address.  If you have further questions, please contact us via the e-mail address above or call (215) 898-3375 (lab).

Cheek Swab Sample Collection

1. To avoid contamination with food, do not feed the animal at least three hours before you collect the sample.
2. Wash your hands before you collect the sample.
3. Label the packages that contain the cheek swab brushes with the owner’s last name and the animal’s name and/or AKC number.
4. Open the end of the swab package that shows the word “peel” printed on it.  Be careful not to touch the brush end as you remove the swab.
5. You may also wish to ask a second person to gently restrain the animal’s head while you collect the DNA sample.
6. Insert brush end between the animal’s gums and inside of the cheek.  Roll the brush on the surface of the inside of the cheek for 15-20 seconds.  Make sure that the brush is in contact with the cheek and not just with the saliva.
7. Return brush to its original package, allow it to dry, and then tape the opened end shut.
8. Repeat steps 3-7 for the second brush using opposite side of the mouth.  Two to three swab brushes are needed for each animal tested.
9. If you plan to test another animal, remember to wash your hands before you start with the next dog.
10. Secure brushes from each animal tested in a separate Ziplock^TM bag.
11. The samples can be mailed by regular or express mail to the address below.

Dr. Giger - PennGen (Insert name of test, e.g., Australian Shepherd Cobalamin Malabsorption)
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
3900 Delancey Street / Rm 4013
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010

Blood Sample Collection (performed by a veterinary clinician or nurse)

1. Label one EDTA (purple top) tube with owner’s last name and animal’s name (or AKC#)
2. Take a 1-2ml blood sample.
3. Blood sample must be kept cold (but not frozen) until shipping
4. Complete required submission form and mail with sample
5. Mail tube in mailer by 2-day delivery or regular service.  Your veterinarian may have special Styrofoam containers or cardboard mailers to send blood tubes in a ZiplocTM bag in bubble wrap for protection.
6. For international shipment, a customs declaration and proforma invoice must be filled out (see the shipping section of the PennGen website).

PennGen Laboratories

A not-for-profit genetic testing branch of the Section of Medical Genetics.

Dr. Giger/PennGen
School of Vet Med
Univ of Pennsylvania
3900 Delancey Street
Room 4013
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010

Phone: (215) 898 3375
Fax: (215) 573 2162
E-mail: penngen@lists.upenn.edu

In order to promote animal health and further public knowledge and awareness of Genetic Disease, please feel free to use/download information from our website pages, downloads, and documents in a responsible manner. However you must appropriately attribute the information to: PennGen - Section of Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. We reserve the right to change, delete, adjust or modify the information at any time - including but not limited to Clinical Signs, Breed Predilection and Cost of Testing. For questions on or for further clarification about citing our website, proper attribution of content, responsible use, etc., please contact us at penngen@lists.upenn.edu BEFORE posting or distributing. Thank You.