Material for sample collection: Do you need a test kit?
No separate material / test kit is required for sample collection via your veterinarian / practice, as the veterinarian / practice has everything they need. (Print out the sample submission form from the order confirmation email and ask the vet to send the sample with it).
We recommend that breeders/owners have the sample(s) taken by the vet, as the vet checks and confirms the identity of the animal using the microchip number. Careful identification of the animal and correct entry of all data in the accompanying forms are important contributions to quality assurance. Sampling by the vet or an independent authorized person (e.g. breeding supervisor) is a requirement for issuing a certificate.
If you would like to take the sample(s) yourself, we will be happy to send you a test kit free of charge. For dogs and cats, the test kit contains two swabs or a special swab with a container and a shipping bag for the shipment of the sample. For horses, the test kit contains zipper bags and a shipping bag for the shipment of the sample.
Due to the current situation we can no longer send sample material for buccal swab. If the sampling will not be performed by your vet or clinic, you can use cotton swabs/Q-tips as sample material. The swabs are taken as indicated on the instructions. Attention: Please remove the unused side of the cotton swab!
It would be best to pack the cotton swabs in a small plastic bag and then in a labelled envelope. If there is no plastic bag available, it is sufficient to pack the cotton swab in a labelled envelope. Please make sure that the cotton swabs have dried before packing.
For owners and breeders of horses:
If the sampling will not be performed by your vet or clinic, you can send 10 - 20 mane or tail hairs in a fresh zipper or freezer bag. When pulling the hairs, please make sure to get the hair roots, as those are important for the testing procedure. If you send in a sample of a foal, it is recommended to use tail hairs, since the mane hairs could be contaminated with DNA from the mother's mare in rare cases.
