HELP-How to ship blood for Fanconi testing

[LiveWWSD]

Ok so it's time to get the linkage test sent out, and Zaire's DNA registered with the Canine Phenome Project.
Since the last Bs I had were 15 years ago the procedure is all new to me.
I have called many vets/animal hospitals in the area (Including my own), and it seems that in Oregon most vets want to take the blood draw, then have me ship it. Ok no prob…excep[t I need to figgure out what the best way to ship it is. Do any of you have a good suggestion for shipping. I am fine with using a cold pack (Just don't want the packaging to get moist as it thaws and disinegrate. so any helpfull hints from those of you that have shipped yourselves would be awsome.

As always thank you all for your assistance.

[tanza]

@LiveWWSD:

Ok so it's time to get the linkage test sent out, and Zaire's DNA registered with the Canine Phenome Project.
Since the last Bs I had were 15 years ago the procedure is all new to me.
I have called many vets/animal hospitals in the area (Including my own), and it seems that in Oregon most vets want to take the blood draw, then have me ship it. Ok no prob…excep[t I need to figgure out what the best way to ship it is. Do any of you have a good suggestion for shipping. I am fine with using a cold pack (Just don't want the packaging to get moist as it thaws and disinegrate. so any helpfull hints from those of you that have shipped yourselves would be awsome.

As always thank you all for your assistance.

There are shipping instructions on the CPP site, so once you get her registered and print out the forms, should help you out…

And I am sure that the others on here that Have shippped the sample will chime in too...

[LiveWWSD]

Thanks Pat,
I have the shipping instructions, and she has been registered since before testing resumed. I just need to find out if anyone knows where I should look for a small cooler to ship the samples in. That really is what I should have made clear (must not be thinking clearly this early).

[wizard]

My vet had some coolers and packs for shipping stuff to labs. Ask your vet.

[EskiLovr]

Some vaccines and test materials that veterinarians use come chilled. Your vet may be able to save one of those packages for your use. Other than that, I would say a ziplock bag (gallon sized) with cold packs and the vial inside, then wrap the whole bag in plenty of newsprint, then box.

The newsprint will help insulate the package and absorb some of the moisture.

[LiveWWSD]

@wizard:

My vet had some coolers and packs for shipping stuff to labs. Ask your vet.

Yea I did. They have a local lab for all their blood work so they just keep it in the fridge and then the lab picks it up. Like I said it is turning out to be more of an adventure than I orrigianly thought.

[LiveWWSD]

@EskiLovr:

Other than that, I would say a ziplock bag (gallon sized) with cold packs and the vial inside, then wrap the whole bag in plenty of newsprint, then box.

The newsprint will help insulate the package and absorb some of the moisture.

Yea that is kind of where I was leaning with it at this point. I am thinking I might go to a tackle shop here in town. They have some smallish coolers that might work. Hmm it certainly is a bit of work. But well worth it.

[Alex]

Hi LiveWWSD,

There is a thread called Submitting blood for fanconi test discussing blood shipping, hope it helps.

[LiveWWSD]

Thank you so much Alex… I think I must have missed it. It would be a good sticky topic if you feal so inclined. :)Though my issue still is that my vet doesn't ship blood. They contract with one lab as lvoss stated in the other thread. So I would like to know if anyone else has had to ship tests themselves, and what SPECIFICALY they used as packaging (This is of course running under the assumption that you had to package it yourself). ANy information we can get together on this might be great for a sticky topic.

[LiveWWSD]

So I am waiting to hear back from Liz Hansen to let me know what they find to be the best packaging sollution for folks whose vets are unable to help supply packing materiel. I will make sure to post it up here….and in the other thread. I may be the only one who will ever feal like I need assistance on this. But somehow I think it might come up as a question again.

[Alex]

A sticky on how to submit blood for testing would be a great help to everyone. If anyone wants to help compile the sticky from their own and other members posts and experiences, please email admin@basenjiforums.com.

Thank you

[LiveWWSD]

Ok Folks so as promised her is the response from Liz Hansen at the U of M:

The boxes that vaccine come in are perfect. A soft-sided cooler with a cool pack, placed inside a sturdy cardboard box will work too. It’s nothing special, just something to keep the sample from being crushed, keep it cool, and get it here safely. We’ve even had people use a Tupperware container, placed inside a box, surrounded by crushed up newspaper – that works fine too.

Liz

(Permission given to cross post)

[LiveWWSD]

Alex I would be more than happy to help with this, but will be out in the woods for the next couple days with the kids (YAY CAMPING).
I will send you an email when I am back and see if you still need assistance.

I think I am actualy kind of partial to the tupperware Idea that Liz suggested in her email to me (Easiest for me to pack safely). I will post about how my packing/shipping experience went once I send out the sample.

[LiveWWSD]

Ok so I sent out the blood samples to U of M on Wednesday (then went camping with the kids). I ended up doing the following for anyone who is interested (this was required packaging for FedEx delivery).

Taped the stoppers on the EDTA tubes.
Wraped each tube (4) in bubble wrap.
placed in a tupperware with two small cold packs.
tapped up tupperware and wrapped with a large cold pack
placed in a ziplock bag
placed in a box with paper towels
sent it off.

Hope this helps anyone looking at shipping themselves.
Also I found a wealth of information on the FedEx site, turnes out it was a good thing I researched this as the guy at the FedEx place wasn;t sure how to deal with animal blood and had to call a regional manager.
Lucky for me I was able to tell the manager that, yes I did have the stoppers taped and they were in a ziplock as a secondary barrier, and had enough paper towels to absorb anything that might spill if the tubes broke.

Wish me, and Zaire luck as we wait for the results. I will let you all know how they turn out.

[LiveWWSD]

Hey ,
does anyone know about how long it takes for the U of M to place DAN submission info on the website. FedEx shows delivered, but I do not show conformation of submidssion of DNA on Caninephenome.org.

[tanza]

@LiveWWSD:

Hey ,
does anyone know about how long it takes for the U of M to place DAN submission info on the website. FedEx shows delivered, but I do not show conformation of submidssion of DNA on Caninephenome.org.

It can take anywere from 2 weeks to 2 months. They do not record until they extract the DNA.

[LiveWWSD]

@tanza:

It can take anywere from 2 weeks to 2 months. They do not record until they extract the DNA.

Ok thank you so much Pat. That is just what I needed to know for my sanity.

[tanza]

@LiveWWSD:

Ok thank you so much Pat. That is just what I needed to know for my sanity.

Glad to help.. and fingers & paws crossed that it is "clear" or at least no worse then carrier

[LiveWWSD]

Thank you Pat, it's nice to have others thinking good thoughts

I will let you all know as soon as I get the results (Oh and after I call Katie and tell her)

It' should be ok (knock on wood). Macy (Dam) is Indeterminate, but Desi (Sire) is probably clear.

[tanza]

@LiveWWSD:

Thank you Pat, it's nice to have others thinking good thoughts

I will let you all know as soon as I get the results (Oh and after I call Katie and tell her)

It' should be ok (knock on wood). Macy (Dam) is Indeterminate, but Desi (Sire) is probably clear.

Then you are fine…. worst would be a Carrier... no worries....