Tissue Collection Guidelines

Guidelines for Submitting Postmortem Tissues for Genetic Testing

Paw Print Genetics accepts postmortem tissue for genetic screening if the following criteria are met:

  1. The animal has been deceased for less than 3 days and refrigerated or frozen during that time.
  2. The tissues were collected within 3 days of death and shipped within 1 day of collection or
  3. The tissues were collected within 3 days of death and stored at -20°C if not shipped immediately.
Note: These guidelines are intended for those who desire genetic testing on deceased dogs.

Sample Collection:

  • If a postmortem exam is being performed on the dog, preferred tissues for DNA testing include skeletal muscle, heart, kidney or liver.
  • If a postmortem exam is not being performed, a notch of the tongue is preferred.
  • An approximately 2-5 mm cube of tissue should be collected using sterile scissors or a sterile scalpel blade.
  • After collection, the tissue should be placed in a sterile container such as a red top blood collection tube or a Whirl-Pak® bag labelled with the dog's unique identifying information (i.e. call name and Paw Print Genetics dog identification number which is obtained/assigned after placing your order).

Sample Submission:

  • Samples do not need to be kept frozen but should be packaged in a Styrofoam container with frozen ice packs.
  • The Styrofoam container should be placed into a cardboard shipping box when possible and shipped overnight.
  • Please do not send samples on Fridays or for Saturday delivery.
  • Please contact the laboratory with the tracking number.
  • Place your genetic testing order on the Paw Print Genetics website.
  • Once your order has been completed on our website, print your requisition form, review and sign the bottom and place the form in a sealable plastic bag.
  • The requisition form in the sealed plastic bag should be placed in the box with your tissue sample(s).

  • Mail your samples back to our lab using one of the following addresses:

    • For shipments via USPS
    • Paw Print Genetics c/o Neogen
    • 4131 N. 48th St.
    • Lincoln, NE 68504
    • USA
    • For overnight and 2 day shipments via (FedEx, UPS, USPS, etc.)
    • Paw Print Genetics c/o Neogen
    • 4131 N. 48th St.
    • Lincoln, NE 68504
    • USA

    • Canadian Shipments
    • Neogen
    • 7323 Roper Rd. NW
    • Edmonton, AB T6E 0W4
    • Canada