Veterinary Appointment Blood can be collected by your veterinarian or a licensed veterinary technician and must be processed according to the instructions below. OptiGen does not supply a sampling kit, since your veterinarian will have the necessary supplies. Make an appointment to have a blood sample drawn early in the week to avoid shipping over the weekend. Inform the clinic in advance that the blood must be drawn into a small lavender (purple) topped vacutainer tube and that the blood MUST be unclotted.

Test Request Form
Complete the Test Request Form with all the required information on the dog to be tested. If more than one dog is being tested at the same time, complete a form for each dog even if they are from the same litter.

Both you and the responsible veterinary staff must sign the form affirming a match of the dog with the PERMANENT ID# AND THE BLOOD SAMPLE.

You may copy the completed form for your records.

UNCLOTTED Blood Sample
Supplies needed at clinic: 18 - 22 gauge hypodermic needles

3 ml or larger syringe. Syringe must be new, in original package, and never re-sterilized.

Lavender (purple) top tube (EDTA anti-coagulant), 3 ml size or larger. If necessary, ACD yellow top tubes are acceptable substitutes.

Sealable (ziplock) plastic bag to hold tube

Two sticky labels marked with owner's name, dog's name and date - one affixed to the tube and one to the plastic bag

If blood is being collected from more than one dog, a new needle and syringe must be used for each dog. Each dog's blood sample must be put in its own labeled tube and labeled plastic bag. Be certain that each label corresponds to the correct sample. COLLECT 1 - 3 ml of blood from the test dog. IMMEDIATELY TRANSFER the blood to the anti-coagulant tube. INVERT THE TUBE several times to prevent clotting. Clotted blood cannot be used. Do NOT send clotted blood. If necessary, a new blood sample should be collected. Do NOT put tape over the cap of the blood tube.

Put the labeled tube into the labeled plastic bag, INSERT 2 FOLDED PAPER TOWELS, and seal securely. Do not insert Test Request Form or check in this bag. Do not freeze the sample at any time. Refrigeration (for no longer than 5 days) is recommended if the sample will not be shipped on the day that it is collected.

Packaging and Shipping Instructions

Be prepared to ship the sample the same day it is collected, if at all possible. Normally, it is NOT necessary to ship by an overnight service within the US. US Postal Service 1st Class or Priority Mail is adequate. Other two-three day delivery services are also suitable. However, schedule the shipment so that it will not arrive during a weekend or holiday period. The package carriers do not take responsibility for refrigerating blood samples when delivery to the laboratory is delayed or suspended during holiday periods.

Packaging materials must be leak proof and meet the general requirements of the US Postal Service and other carriers. Appropriate packaging requires: Blood tube inside a sealed plastic bag (or other sealed container).

Absorbent material inside the plastic bag. Two paper towels are sufficient to soak up any potential leakage.

Cushioning wrap - bubble wrap sheet is best - around the plastic bag. DO NOT use household insulation.

Put in a sturdy rigid container, either box or tube, with enough cushioning inside to prevent movement of contents. If you use the U.S. Postal Service, you can obtain a free box marked for Priority Mail (8.5 x 5 x 1.5 inches) at your post office that is ideal for this purpose.

If you don't use the U.S. Postal Service, please be aware of some special requirements: Federal Express requires the outer rigid package be at least 7 x 4 x 2 inches in size. If it is smaller, it must be inserted into a plastic "Diagnostic Specimen Envelope" provided by them.

UPS requires that a specific outer container be purchased with pre-marked label designating it a "Class 6.2" package. We understand these packages are not supplied by or through UPS, but your UPS station should be able to direct you to a source if you choose their service.

Airborne requires the package be inserted into their green bag "lab pac." You should request one when you schedule a pick-up.

Other - you must check requirements for any other delivery service.

Enclose the application form and payment in the container. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard for confirmation that your sample arrived. Allow 7 days for return mail of postcard.

SHIP TO OPTIGEN:
OptiGen,LLC
Cornell Business and Technology Park
767 Warren Road, Suite 300
Ithaca, New York 14850

Warm Weather Shipping Instructions If the temperature at your location at the time of shipping is 80 degrees F or above, follow these additional instructions: Obtain 2 freezable ice packs, available in hardware, drugs and grocery stores. Freeze them overnight. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE ICE CUBES OR DRY ICE.

Obtain a styrofoam box that fits into an outer box and is large enough to hold the frozen ice packs and the sample and toweling in a plastic bag and cushioning as needed.

DO NOT freeze the sample before shipping. It will not freeze when packed as described here.

Put the Test Request Form and check in a separate sealed plastic bag to keep them dry.

Ship the package by overnight delivery service.