FAQ

Ordering

I want you to send me the sampling kits, is it possible?

Yes, during ordering you can also request a sampling kit (blood tubes or cheek swabs). Sampling kits can be also ordered by email or phone. Sampling kits will be send to your address. Price for shipment is 2.08 EUR - and it does not matter how many kits are included in the package.

Genetic testing in general

Can I collect samples from a pregnant female?

Yes, of course. Pregnancy does not effect the results.

What is the best age of the animal for performing a genetic test?

Tests can be performed at any age. The result is valid for entire life of the subject. The only limitation is the sampling of mucosa cells in the nursing pups (see cheek swabs instructions).

Could some medication affect the result of a genetic test?

Taking drugs does not influence the test results. In exceptional cases it may happen that the analysis will be inhibited by the presence of the drug and would not be possible to complete it.

Is it necessary to test an animal that is offspring of healthy individuals?

Generally, the mutations can arise de novo. This means that the hereditary disease can occur in an individual, who has no genetic disease in family history.

Paying for the tests

How can I pay for the tests?

You can pay by credit card (via pay-pal serice – we will send you paypal money request) or by bank transfer.

Should I pay for tests before I get the results?

Yes, the test will be performed after delivering of the sample to the lab. We will tell you test results after we receive your payment. After the sample arrives to the lab, it is not possible to cancel the analysis because the first part of the analysis starts immediatelly after arrival. In the case it is not possible to perform the test because of sample quality, we will ask you for a new sample and we will perform new analysis again with no additional charge or we will refund you your money.

When could I cancel my order?

You can cancel before sending samples to our lab. Tests cannot be canceled after delivering of samples to the laboratory. The first step of analysis (DNA isolation) is initiated at the day of delivery. Canceling fee is 12.50 Eur incl.VAT (10.42 Eur without VAT / 14.70 USD for outside EU customers ).

Sampling of samples

From which biological materials the test can be done?

Genomia performs tests from:

• cheek swabs
• blood
• horsehair
• feathers
• eggshelll membranes
• blood spots

Can I swab nursed kittens or puppies?

Swab kittens or puppies about 30 minutes after last nursing to avoid sample contamination with mother's cells! It is better to feed the young ones with normal food and then wait for about 20 minutes without eating and drinking.

Should I fill in a Sampling Confirmation Form?

We generally do not require Sampling Confirmation Form to be filled for testing in our lab. But some kennel clubs insist on the sampling confirmation. If the club requires a confirmation from the vet, you can download the form - this form should be completed by a veterinarian, who performs the sampling. Send us this filled form and confirmation will be included in your result report.

How should I send swab samples to your laboratory?

Use two cheek swabs for one animal and perform the sampling with both swabs. Put dried cheek swabs with biological material into a clean envelope, which is marked with clear identification of the sample (animal). If you made order online, there is already a sample number for every animal in your order confirmation e-mail. Seal the envelope. Do not put swabs back into plastic package. Envelopes with swabs put in bubble envelope and send it by ordinary mail.

How should I send blood samples to your laboratory?

Make sure that the tube cannot be broken (wrap the tube in a paper towel). Each wrapped tube put into a clean plastic bag. Put it in a bubble envelope and send it by ordinary mail.

How should I send horsehair or feathers to your laboratory?

Horsehair or bird feathers put into a clean paper envelope with a clear identification of sample. If you made order online, there is already a sample number for every animal in your order confirmation e-mail. Send it by ordinary mail.

How should I send eggshells to your laboratory?

You should dry the eggshells in the air at room temperature, then put dried eggshells into a small box and make sure that it cannot be totally broken (wrap into a paper towel, cotton, etc.). Each shell must be clearly marked. Send with regular mail.

Can I store a blood sample in the freezer?

Yes, it is possible to store frozen blood for later analysis. Be carefull, thawing should be slow!

What happens if you could not isolate enough DNA from the biological material, which I have sent to your lab?

At our expense we will send you a new sampling kit and we will perform the analysis again.

Reporting results

Does your laboratory provide results reports?

Yes. Our result reports are in accordance with ISO 17025 for testing laboratories.

Are the results published somewhere? Who can know the results?

Identification of tested samples or the results are not fundamentally published or disclosed to third parties; only the customer, who ordered the analysis, is informed about the test result. Laboratory staff are bound by a code of ethics and take all information about customer, sample and results as highly confidential.

How do I get the test result?

We will sent you the esult report in PDF document by e-mail. This document contains all the necessary information about testing and result and is in accordance with ISO 17025. On your request, we can send you result report by post for small fee (currently 2.08 EUR per a package; not per a report).

I am not able to open PDF result report. What should I do?

To open the PDF file you need Acrobat Reader version 7 and higher.

What is the language of the result report?

English, German or Czech.