Accepted Sample Types:

All samples must be submitted using the MiDOG collection tubes, without exception. Urine samples are to be submitted in the MiDOG urine collection tube (yellow label) and all other samples in the MiDOG collection tubes with the white labels.

Any samples not submitted in the MiDOG collection tubes will be rejected.

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Please do not send any additional material outside the collection tubes. All samples not submitted in the provided collection tubes will be discarded.

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All types of animal samples are accepted, except blood. 

 

How do I collect a sample for the MiDOG® Service?

Follow the instructions provided in the  MiDOG® All-in-One Microbial Test manual. The manual can also be found here, or watch our MiDOG® sample collection instruction video here. Please don't hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. 

 

How do I get my MiDOG® results?

The results will be sent to the veterinarian via email in PDF format. A sample report is shown on the right.  

 

Where should I send my samples?

We provide you with a prepaid and pre-labelled FedEx envelope to send your samples to us. Our laboratory address is 

MiDOG Laboratory, 14762 Bentley Cir., Tustin CA 92780.

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Do I need to ship the samples on ice?

No, there is no need to store or ship your samples on ice. 

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How long will it take until I get the report?

Our turn around time is two to five business days from when we receive the sample. We will email the report to the veterinarian.

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What is the shelf life of the MiDOG® Microbial Test kit?

12 months.

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Can I send samples from other species besides canines as well?

Yes, absolutely. The only difference is that we cannot compare your sample to a clinically healthy database. 

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I sampled my patient and forgot to send the sample in. Is the sample still OK?

Yes, it is. The DNA preservation reagent we provide you with stabilizes your sample at room temperature for up to one year.

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Can I send multiple samples in one envelope?

Yes, if you need to send multiple samples, it is best to deliver them all at once. We provide individual envelopes for each sample test, but it is recommended to send them together if you have more than one. Rest assured, this will not affect the quality of the samples.

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Can I submit fluid samples?

Yes, MiDOG can test any fluid sample, with the exception of blood. Fluid types can be bodily fluids (e.g., bile, joint fluid, urine), washes (e.g., eye washes, naval washes) or rinses. A minimum of 2 ml of liquid is required for testing, but 4 ml is ideal to ensure accuracy.

Fluid must be mixed in directly to the sample tube and must not be a swab soaked in the liquid.

For fluids, please use the MiDOG collection tubes with the white label. For urine samples, please use the urine collection kits, those tubes have yellow labels.

For more information, please call customer service at 833-456-4364.

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Can I submit less than 2ml of fluid samples?

If only less than 2 ml of fluid can be collected from a patient, it is still possible to submit the sample. While a larger sample volume would be ideal to ensure accuracy of the analysis, we will process even samples with smaller volumes.

Please note, the detection limit of the MiDOG All-in-One assay is 200 cells per sample. If less than 2ml of submitted, the report may not list any bacteria or fungi.

 

Can I submit water or pool samples?

Yes, it is possible to test pool or aquarium water samples as well. Ideally, 4ml of water sample is mixed with the MiDOG collection tubes with the white label. Simply close the collection tube, invert the sample tube 5 to 10 times, and send it to the MiDOG laboratory with the provided return envelopes. It is possible to use the provided sterile swab to take a swab sample of the pool filter as well. You may add the swab to the sample same collection tube as the pool water. If two separate samples are submitted, there would be a charge for two samples.  

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Can I submit tissue samples?

 Yes, you may submit animal tissue samples. To ensure the preservation of the material, please grind up the tissue in a sterile mortar and pestle before adding it to the MiDOG collection tube with the white label.

Please do not send any additional or extra material. All sampling material must be inside the MiDOG collection tube. Any samples that are not provided using the MiDOG collection tubes will be discarded.

 

Can I submit samples of body parts, for example a toe, a leg, or tail? 

Only samples inside the MiDOG collection tubes will be accepted. To ensure the preservation of the material, please grind up the sample in a sterile mortar and pestle before adding it to the MiDOG collection tube with the white label.

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For urine samples, is cystocentesis or free catch preferred? Will contaminant bacteria show on free catch?

Both collection methods are accepted. However, a sample collected via cysto is preferred. A cysto sample will only contain bacteria and fungi found in the urine, while a free catch urine sample can also contain bacteria and fungi originated from the skin as the urine is being released. Cysto samples will only show pathogens in the urine and will not contain potential skin contaminants

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Our reports highlight all pathogens on the first page, so members of the normal skin microbiome would only appear in the supplemental information on the third page. Further, we include the cell numbers for each pathogen and commensal organism detected. The cell numbers will also aid in differentiating between a clinically relevant organisms and a commensal coming from the skin. You can view our example report walkthrough here to see what’s included on each page of the report. If you have any questions on how to interpret your report, we are happy to offer you free veterinary consultation to help with treatment decisions.