Submitting Samples from Outside North America

The epilepsy project for Welsh Springers will gladly accept samples from dogs in any country. There is no cost to submit samples for the epilepsy study or to DNA bank any Welsh Springer.

The only expense is shipping which can be quite expensive, so it is a good idea (but not necessary) if several people go together to send their samples at the same time and split the cost of shipping.  Overnight is usually either impossible or prohibitively expensive, so the samples can be sent by 2nd or 3rd day delivery with two or three additional ice packs to keep the samples cool. This has worked so far!  Australian samples took 3 days to arrive, and were fine.  If there are epilepsy families, do them at the same time, and send the whole batch. Blood may be kept for 1 week prior to sending if it is refrigerated. If there is going to be a prolonged time between sampling and sending, it is best to drawn extra  (15 - 20 cc) to assure enough DNA for banking.  Make sure that the samples will arrive on Tuesday through Friday.  There is no one to accept samples on Saturday or Sunday and the delay may cause damage to the samples.  

As with the Canadian samples, the package will need to have the following statement to clear Customs; "WHOLE CANINE BLOOD FOR DNA EXTRACTION - NO EXPOSURE TO ANY INFECTIOUS AGENTS". It is a good idea to mention that there are ice packs with the samples, so the inspectors don't wonder what those rectangular odd shapes are when they scan the package. A couple of packages have been opened and it may have been caused by the ice packs.  Also please enclose Liz Hansen's phone number (1-573-884-3712) as a contact in case there are any questions.  

The following should be enclosed with all samples:

  1. A numbered list of the samples with the owner's last name and the dog's call name.  The tubes and all paper work should have the same number.

  2. A filled out data bank questionnaire for each dog

  3. A 3 - 4 generation pedigree in English

  4. 2 - 3 ice packs

A detailed explanation of what needs to be sent with each sample can be found on the form "How to Submit Samples".