genetic testing

[oswaldann]

hi folks
stupid question,but I have never sent a sample to optigen or antigene before apart from a 20/20,clinic,so how do you send samples yourself?
do you send it normal post or carrrier? help please!

[Jane S]

Some people use couriers like FedEx but we generally use Airsure (Royal Mail's service for sending overseas with a tracking number) & it's worked fine (couriers can be quicker but are generally more expensive)

[dkirkuk]

I ended up doing optigen and antagene separately. Used Airsure delivery for the blood sample for Optigen and it was fine. For the cheeck swab I just sent it normal 1st class mail and again it was fine.

[Sharon]

Some people use couriers like FedEx but we generally use Airsure (Royal Mail's service for sending overseas with a tracking number) & it's worked fine (couriers can be quicker but are generally more expensive)

First time we used FedEx and it cost approx £50, so the last time we also used Airsure, maybe not quite as quick but still good for Royal Mail.

[bosso20640]

If you request a sampling kit from Antagene they will send you an envelope to post your swab back to them in

[oswaldann]

Thanks everyone !

[Nicola]

I posted Caoimhe's sample last week using Airsure and it got there in 5 days absolutely fine. Make sure you stick the customs declaration on the envelope, I nearly forgot to do that!

[Kathyf]

I've just used Carol Sare-Jone's 20/20 clinic. My vet took the blood samples.  Carol emailed me all the paperwork and I sent it all back to her in the post next day delivery.  All worked fine. Awaiting results

[Sharon]

The first time we used FedEx, which was really good, cost around £50 and it arrived next day, we got e-mails at every check point and a copy of the signature just after it arrived at reception of Optigen.

Last time we used Airsure and it arrived pretty quickly, although a friend of mine recently sent 5 samples via Airsure and it took 3 WEEKS to get there and she was worried in case they had gone astray.  It sat in a sorting office in the States for some reason 

[LouiseH]

I would imagine the best way would be to have PRA and FN done at the same time as you only need to send 1 sample to Antagene in France and they extract the DNA and send to OptiGen in the USA. I am still awaiting results but it certainly seems quicker this way and more cost effective and I was much happier with sending the sample to France than half way across the world like I did last time with the OptiGen. I think I paid £35 Parcelforce guaranteed delivery which was fine but it took longer to get there than France obviously and the extra cost mounts up if you have to pay high postage.

[AnnieM]

If you do it direct through optigen i.e., not via a 20/20 clinic, how does it work?  Do they send you anything, like Antagene do, to get the bloods done in, or do you just print out the paperwork and get the tube from your vet when you get the blood drawn?  I am having one of mine done next week, while the discounts on, but I've only ever done it by 20/20 clinic before, so a bit unsure as to the exact method.

[LouiseH]

If you do it direct through optigen i.e., not via a 20/20 clinic, how does it work?  Do they send you anything, like Antagene do, to get the bloods done in, or do you just print out the paperwork and get the tube from your vet when you get the blood drawn?  I am having one of mine done next week, while the discounts on, but I've only ever done it by 20/20 clinic before, so a bit unsure as to the exact method.

Everything just the same but if you complete the forms and submit them online you still get a small discount rather than if you post the forms. I have always used tubes from my vet and have not had a problem. OptiGen will advise on the right tubes and method of collection if you contact them or it might be on their website. 20/20 clinics offer a good discount though if you can wait - there are some at the end of this month:

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=70564.0

[Nicola]

If you do it direct through optigen i.e., not via a 20/20 clinic, how does it work?  Do they send you anything, like Antagene do, to get the bloods done in, or do you just print out the paperwork and get the tube from your vet when you get the blood drawn?  I am having one of mine done next week, while the discounts on, but I've only ever done it by 20/20 clinic before, so a bit unsure as to the exact method.

They don't send you anything and I would say check with your vet in advance that they have the right tubes for the blood. I had Caoimhe tested last month, I'd spoken to the vet about it on the Thursday and e-mailed him the instructions from the Optigen site and all seemed ok but when I rocked up with her on the Monday with the paperwork etc. it turned out he hadn't had time to read the e-mail and they didn't have the right purple-topped vacutainer tubes  Cue one order to their supplier to get them rushed in for the Tuesday so I could get the samples posted off so they wouldn't arrive at the weekend, I had to pay for 25 tubes as that was the minimum order but they were only a few pounds

Other than that it was pretty straightforward, I'd already placed the order and paid online so I just labelled and bagged up the tubes at the vet (I sent two just in case), he signed the paperwork and I put it all in a big padded envelope with the customs declarations - one inside the envelope and one taped to the outside - and sent it via Airsure.

[LouiseH]

My vet has never had the lilac tubes  - but providing the instructions are followed and the right amount of blood is taken I haven't had a problem with using other tubes.

[Sharon]

You can use cheek swabs, you have to send two to Optigen and 1 to Antagene, we're in the process of doing two of our girls.