These swab collection procedures should be administered by individuals with prior experience
Due to changes in our lab testing techniques we now request a swab with sample material extracted from bird areas indicated below.
Therefore please include a swab together with your blood or feather specimens.
| BLOOD | CLOACAL SWAB | TRAQUEA SWAB |
|---|---|---|
| Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) | Psittacine Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) | Avium Bordetella (BAL) |
| Psittacosis (Chlamydophila psittaci, Chlamydia psittaci) | Pacheco’s Disease (PDV) | |
| Avian Polyomavirus (APV) |
COLLECT CLOACA SAMPLE
Collecting swab samples from the cloaca of birds is a standard method used in avian research to detect and monitor the presence of pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, which can cause diseases.
This is because the cloaca, which is the common opening for excretory, reproductive, and digestive systems in birds, is believed to be the primary portal of entry and exit for many pathogens. By collecting the swab sample from the cloaca, researchers can obtain a representative sample of microorganisms present in the bird’s intestinal tract, which can help in disease surveillance and control strategies.
Collecting and analyzing cloacal samples can also help assess the impact of environmental factors such as pollution and climate change on bird populations. Collecting swab samples from bird cloaca is an important technique used in disease monitoring and research.
The process involves using a sterile swab and inserting it into the bird’s cloaca to collect a sample of fecal material or other fluids. Before insertion, the swab should be moistened with sterile saline or a similar solution to prevent contamination and ensure proper sample collection. Once inserted, the swab should be gently rotated to collect the sample and carefully removed.
This sample collection method helps monitor a bird’s health and identify potential disease outbreaks that could affect not only the bird in question but other animals as well. It is essential to use proper techniques and precautions to avoid contaminating the sample or causing any harm to the bird itself.
COLLECT TRACHEA SAMPLE
Collecting a swab sample from a bird’s throat involves the process of molecular biology and microbiology.
The swab is used to collect genetic material and other constituents present in the bird’s throat, which can be analyzed in the laboratory for the identification of various pathogens or other molecules of interest.
This technique is commonly used in disease diagnosis and research studies. The sample collected from the bird’s throat can detect and identify the presence of specific organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
The collected sample can also be used for genetic studies or other biochemical assays to identify specific proteins or biomolecules. First, a sterile swab should be prepared to collect a swab sample from a bird’s throat.
The bird should be securely and calmly restrained to minimize stress and potential injury. Then, the swab should be gently inserted through the mouth into the back of the throat until it reaches the cleft between the tongue and the roof of the mouth.
The swab should be rotated gently to ensure contact with the throat tissues and then withdrawn carefully to avoid stimulating a gag reflex.
The collected swab should be promptly placed into an appropriate container for transport to a laboratory for testing. It’s important to note that proper training and caution should be taken when collecting samples from live birds.