4 Life Technologies | Animal Health
Do not take samples from animals in extensively overcrowded pens—pigs may panic
and hurt each other or the veterinarian during sampling.
Make sure animals are properly restrained in an appropriate fashion by a
competent person.
• Ensure there is enough light in the work area.
• Wear ear plugs or ear defenders.
• Use swabs of a diameter and length appropriate to the weight of the pig.
• The stem of the swab should be made of plastic, which is less likely to break than a
wooden stem (pigs often make defensive movements during sampling).
• The tip of the swab should be flocked with a synthetic fibre (e.g., Dacron) rather than
with cotton, if PCR is intended as the final diagnostic test. Cotton fibres do not release
a sufficient amount of material swabbed from the nasal epithelium.
• For cultural testing: use swab containers with medium (e.g., Amies).
• For PCR testing: use swab containers without medium.
• If both methods are required, take two swabs from each pig and use the two different
types of containers.
Growers/finishers
Weaners Sucklers
Preparation
