Protocol for Cheek Swab DNA Collection

 

Before starting, please try and wait for at least one hour after your dog has eaten.
(1) Break the seal on the tube holding the swab by twisting the lid off. Take the swab out of the tube, being careful not to let the brush touch anything other than the inside of the dog’s mouth.
(We have a streaming video in Quicktime or AVI format that illustrates the process)
(2) Insert the swab (brush end) into the dog’s mouth and press against the inside of the cheek. With your other hand pinch the skin on the outside of the dog’s cheek to secure the swab against the wall of the dog’s mouth.

(3) Rotate the swab at least 15 times (or even more if your dog will allow it) while it is very firmly pressed against the side of the cheek. It is best to rotate, and not use a side-to-side motion, as the rotation process collects many more cheek cells.
(4) Label the tube in which the swab came with your dog’s name (especially important if you are sending samples from more than one dog).

(5) Repeat the procedure with a second swab. We need two swabs per dog to ensure that enough DNA is collected.
(6) Put the swabs back into the tubes handle-end first making sure the brushes do not touch anything. Do not put the lid on the tubes. They need to air dry for about half an hour in order to stabilize the DNA and prevent mold or mildew formation. It may be easy to rest the swabs on the edge of a counter, with the brush end sticking over the side of the counter, while they dry.
(7) After half an hour put the lids securely on the tubes. The tubes are now ready to be sent back to us in the mail. Please also fill out one consent form per dog and send it back to us also. If you're unsure about some information (e.g a parent’s registered name or AKC number), leave that part blank.

Each envelope can hold up to four swabs, so if you are swabbing more than two dogs, please send the swabs in another envelope. If you run out of envelopes and would like to be reimbursed for postage, please contact me.

Also, if you are swabbing dogs that are apricot, red, or any other unique color, we would very much appreciate either a photo of your dog or a website address with a link to a photo.

For questions, please call or email Tovi Anderson (grad student) anytime at 503-484-8801 or tovia@stanford.edu