Cheek Swab Sample Collection is Strictly Confidential!

Request FREE swabs and forms at: felinegenome@ucdavis.edu

Cheek (buccal) swabs can be used to collect cells from the inside of the cat's mouth. These swabs (which are PAP smear brushes) can then be processed to obtain small amounts of DNA. The swab/brush is placed inside of the cat's mouth, between the cheek and gums. The swab/brush is then twirled or brushed for several (10) seconds, while making good contact with the cheek and gums. The sampling should be gentle and not make the cat's mouth sensitive or bleed. Blood or tissue samples (more DNA) are generally required for gene hunting projects.

Instructions for sample collection (see video below):

Click here for a form and instructions to print.

Click to download a movie on cheek swabbing a cat

Click to download a second movie on cheek swabbing a cat

Lyons Feline Genetics Laboratory
(530) 754-CATS (2287)
felinegenome@ucdavis.edu

Instructions For Collecting Feline Buccal (cheek) Cells

If the cat has been eating or drinking, wait at least 15 minutes before taking samples. Try to swab kittens about 15 – 30 minutes after nursing.

Sample one cat at a time, 2 swabs per cat. If you are sampling several cats in the same session, complete the process for one cat before sampling the next.

Label the outside sleeves (envelopes) of two histobrushes with the name of the cat to be sampled. Provide additional information on the form. Copy the form if required.

Open the sleeve (envelope) at the left end and remove the brush by its handle. Please do not touch the brush.

Place bristle head between the cheek and gums and swirl, spin or swipe 10 times, trying to make contact on both sides of the brush. Please be vigorous, as this is the only sample we will have for this cat. Keep the brush level, parallel with the teeth, towards the front of the cat’s mouth, under the whisker pads. If you try and swab too far back in the mouth, the cat will try more to chew on the brush.

Let the swab air dry for about 30 seconds and then carefully return the swab to its envelope, holding it open so that the bristles so not spray.

Fold open end of wrapper and seal with a paperclip or tape.

Do not seal samples in a zip-lock bag. This allows bacteria to grow and contaminate your cat’s DNA.

Please list the project (s) you are interested in on the form. For example: coat color projects (white spotting, golden, albino, silver), long hair, polydactyl, taillessness, folded ear, FIP, dwarfism, diversity or other . New projects develop all the time, thus please note your interest and why you are sending in these samples.

Return all samples and this form via regular mail to:

Cat DNA Projects: Leslie Lyons, Ph.D.
VM:PHR 1114 Tupper Hall
University of California , Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis , CA 95616

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Click to download a movie on cheek swabbing a cat

Click to download a second movie on cheek swabbing a cat

E-mail: felinegenome@ucdavis.edu

Swabs will be collected at the VGL and analysis completed by the laboratory of Dr. Lyons.

Other useful links:

Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL)

Center for Companion Animal Health (CCAH)

California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC)

Center for Equine Health (CEH)

Department of Population Health & Reproduction (VM:PHR)

Last update: November 30, 2004 This site is under continual development. Please visit again soon! Many of the current pages are the place holders for future information.
Please provide suggestions to the webmaster: felinegenome@ucdavis.edu