Veterinarian Information

Emergency Instructions for Taking and Shipping Pet Tissue Samples

Obtain three sterile bottles for preserving and transporting the tissue samples. The bottles may be plastic or glass of at least 10 ml or 1 oz size. Each bottle needs a screw cap that can be securely tightened to prevent leakage.
Prepare the transport media from standard 0.9% isotonic saline solution and if possible add one or two drops of an injectable broad-spectrum antibiotic such as gentomycin 0.3%.
Choose a site behind the scruff of the neck or inside of a leg where the skin is loose. If the animal is deceased also collect samples from muscle and membrane surrounding internal organs
Perform sterile skin prep using a biopsy punch—recommend 4 mm in diameter punch.
Obtain one full-thickness skin biopsy. Try to maximize the amount of skin tissue and minimize the amount of fatty and other tissue.
Place the biopsy sample into the bottle of transport media and keep refrigerated until it is packed and shipped. Secure the lids on the bottles firmly.
Collect two additional sets of samples from skin, muscle or membrane.
Label each vial as follows:
- Owner’s name
- Pet’s age
- Species
- Date samples taken
- Biopsy site
Place tubes in a Styrofoam box with frozen ice gel packs (NOT DRY ICE). The container should be capable of keeping the contents at a temperature between 35° and 45°F (2° to 5°C) for 72 hours. Check with your courier such as Federal Express or DHL for assistance and shipment times.
Immediately transport the package by overnight courier to:
Cyagra, Inc.,
Attn: Cell Line Lab
197 Bossler Road
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Phone: 717-367-5420
Please provide PERPETUATE the courier and tracking number by email or telephone.
If animal is dead, repeat sampling process and keep extra samples in a refrigerator until your shipment arrives at the laboratory in satisfactory condition.

Please include the name and telephone numbers of the owner and of the veterinarian that took the tissue samples.