4 Life Technologies | Animal Health
Preparation
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.
• In case of pulse feeding (e.g., liquid feeding systems), do not take blood for at
least 1 hour after feeding to avoid chylous serum.
• Use a sterile scraping spatula or covered swab of a diameter and length
appropriate to the weight of the pig.
• Use a new spatula or swab for each pig.
• Use a sterile collection tube for each pig. Tubes should not contain transport
medium or any salts if the sample is for PCR testing.
