Taking Good Swab Samples

Step 1

The sample collection (swab) kit you receive contains:

• 3 sterile swabs in plastic packaging for each dog to be tested (A).
• A swab envelope for each dog to be tested (B); the customer name and order number are on the front and a unique activation code is on the back.
• A sealable plastic bag (C) – international (non-UK) customers only.
• Sample import authorisation (D) – international (non-UK) customers  only.
• A single return envelope (C), addressed but without postage.
• A declaration form (F) – international (non-UK) customers  only.
• Separate barcode and activation labels – for orders with ‘Parentage with Existing Profile’ only.

Step 2

Remove a single swab from its packaging by peeling the paper backing off the plastic, trying to avoid any or excessive contact with the brush end. Discard the plastic packaging, it will not be used again.

Wearing latex or vinyl gloves will help to prevent contamination, but is not necessary. Washing your hands between swabbing different dogs is a good idea though.

Step 3

Hold the dog’s head firmly and roll the swab on the inside of the dog’s cheek, between its cheeck and gums. Do this for at least 10 seconds on each side of the mouth, ensuring the brush is moved across the entire cheek surface and avoiding the teeth when possible. It helps to apply some pressure on the brush using your fingers. Cheek cells are not visible to the naked eye, but by brushing the surface thoroughly ensures a sufficient sample is obtained.

Step 4

Place the swab in a mug, brush end up, and allow to air dry while repeating step 3 with all remaining swabs. Be careful to avoid touching the brush.

Step 5

While the swabs are drying, provide the details of the dog just swabbed by “activating” your swab kit at www.cagt.co.uk/activate/.

Enter the 8-digit number found on the back of the swab envelope into the boxes provided (4 digits per box) and select ‘Lookup’.

Note: You must be logged in to the same account that was used to purchase the test in the first place.

Step 6

If the activation code can be found and is associated with your account, your (Client) name and the barcode number on the swab kit will be displayed.

Select ‘Activate’.

Step 7

Fill in the required information for the dog from which you have taken the swab samples above.

For dogs that have been tested with us before, select it from the ‘Select an Existing Animal’ dropdown.

For dogs that have not been tested with us before, add as much information as you would like to appear on a results certificate. An identifier of some description is required as a minimum – this can be a pet name of you don’t want to or can’t provide a Kennel Club registered name.

Note: For results to be reported directly to the Kennel Club, the KC Registered Name, Registration Number and microchip number must be provided.

Step 8

Select from the list of tests placed in the original order the test(s) that should be performed on the dog from which you have just taken a sample and provided details above.

Parentage testing only:

• If you are using an activation code stuck to a swab kit, and you have used that kit to take samples from a dog that requires a profile, select ‘Profile and Analyse Parentage’
• If you are using an activation code provided separately, select ‘Analyse Parentage Using Existing Profile’. If you have a paper copy of this animal’s profile to provide, stick the barcode to this sheet without obscuring any profile information.
• You will be asked to assign a Relationship i.e. is the dog in question to be tested as offspring, sire or dam during the parentage analysis

Once you have provided all of the information that you wish to for the current dog, select ‘Confirm’ to activate the swab kit.

Note: DO NOT press back after selecting ‘Confirm’. If you wish to add or change anything please contact us instead.

Step 9

Once all swabs have air dried for at least 2 minutes, place the swabs directly into the swab envelope, brush end first.

If the dog becomes impatient the swabs can be used at different time intervals, but be sure to place the used swabs in the swab envelope.