The Michigan Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club is planning on holding an Optigen clinic for the prcd-PRA test. Dr. Page Buehler will draw blood samples from 12 -4 pm at her residence in conjunction with the club meeting following the Ann Arbor Kennel Club show in Monroe on Saturday, July 5th.

There needs to be a minimum of 20 dogs participating to get 20% off the price of the test. There is an additional 5% discount when you pre-register online at Optigen.

You do not have to be present to participate. I was told by Optigen, that blood samples could be drawn as early as June 30th as long as they were kept cool. This would allow for shipping and delivery before the holiday. They also said cheek swabs could be submitted instead of the blood samples. It doesn’t matter how the 20 samples are submitted, just as long as there are at least 20. Optigen no longer offers Satellite participation. Since samples are being shipped to a private residence, shipping address will be provided when you sign up.

Cheek swabs will not be done at the clinic. The Optigen site has information on how to obtain a sample using a cheek swab along with proper handling.

[URL=http://www.optigen.com/opt9_shipsubpage.html ]http://www.optigen.com/opt9_shipsubpage.html [/URL]

Cheek swabs can be obtained at most local pharmacies. If for some reason, Optigen cannot complete the test using the submitted swab, you may resubmit a BLOOD sample at NO ADDITIONAL TESTING CHARGE.

Limit of 30 blood draws at the clinic itself. No limit on mail in samples. Pre-registration required with MCBRC by June 18th.

If we get the minimum to pre-register with the MCBRC and we go ahead with the clinic, Optigen will assign a discount code that will be used when you register online at Optigen to get the discount. DO NOT Register online at OPTIGEN without the discount code.

The clinic can also accept samples from the following breeds for prcd-PRA testing if you know anyone with these breeds that would like to participate.

American Cocker Spaniels
American Eskimo Dogs
Australian Cattle Dogs
Australian Shepherds
Chinese Cresteds
English Cocker Spaniels
Golden Retrievers
Kuvasz
Labrador Retrievers
Miniature Poodles
Toy Poodles
Portuguese Water Dogs

If we do not get the minimum requirements, the clinic will NOT be held.

For more information or to sign up you can email me at: chessiecentral1@aol.com or
call 810-631-4832.

Dorene Irish Permission to cross post granted

so, I, living in AK, can sign my dogs up for the clinic?

Juli

Doreen,

I'm interested as I have one bitch that still needs to be Optigen certified.

Kathy Miller
In California

Yes, anyone can sign up as long as the sample gets to Michigan before the clinic. I would aim for no later than Thursday the 3rd.
Please email me to sign up so I know who wants to be a confirmed participant. I can also notify everyone after the deadline if it's a go or not, and provide the shipping address.

Just a reminder that the deadline to sign up for the Optigen clinic is only 2 days away.