Sampling guidelines

Upon placing your order via our contact form, the DNA sampling kit will be delivered to your doorstep via postal service, to the address you provide. These guidelines outline the proper steps to take a DNA sample with sufficient quality and quantity. Please follow the steps precisely.

 

1) Before sampling isolate the dog to be sampled from other dogs, toys, chews and other possible sources of oral contamination. Do not allow the dog to eat at least 1 hour before sampling.

2) Open the sterile swab package just before its intended use. Do not throw away the original packaging.

DO NOT TOUCH the front side of the brush!

A close up of a plastic tube and a short plastic stick with clean white sponge top, used for taking cheek swab samples

3) While holding the handle of the swab, lift the upper lip and insert the tip along the inside of the inner lip/cheek. Use back-and-forth motion and occasional rotations for 60 seconds to collect the sample. Gently push the cheek from outside to enhance cell collection. Avoid rubbing on teeth or tongue.

Please note that the aim is not to collect saliva, but the cells containing DNA, which will undergo further analysis.

The head of a dog is gently held while the DNA cheek swab sample is taken. On the bottom part of the picture there is an additional visualization on the correct placement of the brush between the gums and inner cheek of the dog.

4) Before placing the swab back into the package, it must be dried for ca. 10 minutes. DO NOT blow on the swab! Ensure that the front side with the sample does not touch other surfaces, your hands or other dogs.

5) As the swab is allowed to dry, kindly take a moment to complete the short form included in the kit we sent you. Providing this information is crucial to accurately identify your sample on our end, ensuring prompt delivery of your results.

6) Place swab directly back into the holding tube. Screw the lid tight and put it back to its original packaging.

7)    Place the package to a suitable envelope and send it back to our address (ideally as first-class mail).