Lyons Feline Genetics Laboratory
(530) 754-CATS (2287)
Instructions For Collecting Feline
Buccal (cheek) Cells
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Open the sleeve
(envelope) at the left end and remove the brush by its handle. Please do not touch the brush.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Fold open end
of wrapper and seal with a paperclip or tape.
8. Do not seal
samples in a zip-lock bag. This allows
bacteria to grow and contaminate your cat’s DNA.
9. 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.
10. 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