To assist in the development of research, there are two buffer DNA swabs, alongside an x-ray, that can be purchased via the NPDC Health Scheme. A fee of £5, including P&P, payable via cheque, should be sent to the club secretary Richard Lemon. Please enclose a covering letter, detailing your full name and address; the swabs will then be sent out to you.
Cheques made payable to Northern Pug Dog Club
Send to: Vale Boarding Kennels, Warren Vale, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, S62 7SS
Upon receiving your swabs, you should book an appointment with your vet for an x-ray; take the swabs to the appointment and have the vet complete the swab.
It is best practice to wait at least an hour after the Pug eats or drinks, before attempting to take the swab; excess saliva and food particles can compromise testing and reduce the quality of a sample. Each swab will be supplied with a tube, this is to protect the sample swab during transit and to help minimise contamination. Whilst conducting the swab, it is important to remember to keep the tube in a dry location, away from other potential contaminants, such as another dogs hair or dander. When handling the swab, please take care not to touch the tip, and ensure it does not come into contact with any other substance that could compromise your Pugs sample/DNA. The act of swabbing is simple, the main goal is to obtain as many skin cells, from your Pugs inner lip/cheek, as possible onto the tip of the swab. To do this, simply lift the Pugs upper lip and insert the swab between the cheek and gum line. Using gentle outward pressure, swab the inside of the cheek in a back-and-forth motion; turn the swab occasionally to coat the entire tip with the cells; this should be done for roughly 30 seconds. After removing the swab from your Pugs mouth, care should be taken to avoid the swab coming into contact with any other surfaces or contaminants. Carefully place the swab into the tube and seal; set it to one side whilst the second swab is completed. The second swab should be completed on the opposite side of the mouth of the Pug; if you swabbed the previous area again, the number of cells could be reduced. Upon successful collection of the samples, the tubes should be enclosed in an envelope and sent to the following address:
FAO Rodrigo Gutierrez Quintana,
Neurology Service,
Small Animal Hospital,
University of Glasgow,
Bearsden Road,
Bearsden,
Glasgow,
G61 1QH