Mast Cell Tumour Research

Shar Pei owners can help the mast cell tumour research by submitting 2 types of sample:

1). Blood/cheek swab sample

If your dog has a suspected mast cell tumour OR is at least 7 years old and has never had any type of cancer:

If your vet is taking a blood sample for a clinical reason and there is some blood left over, ask the vet to save a surplus sample (1-2ml) in an EDTA tube and send it to the AHT (address below)

Contact the AHT (details below) to request a cheek swab kit (includes instructions). Collect some cells from the inside of your dog's cheek and then send the cheek swabs to the AHT

2). Tumour sample

If your dog has a suspected mast cell tumour:

Ask your vet to place a small piece (a 3-5mm cube) of the biopsy of the suspected tumour (normally removed for diagnostic histopathology) in a special preservative (RNAlater) provided by the AHT upon request (details below)

If you don’t have advance notice, ask your vet to place a small piece of the biopsy of the suspected tumour in a freezer, and then ask the vet to contact the AHT to ask to be sent a special solvent ('QIAzol'), in which to transport the piece of tissue.

Contact Details;

For any queries or more information about the projects please contact: Dr Mike Starkey (Tel: 01638 555603; E-mail: mike.starkey@aht.org.uk)

To request a cheek swab kit and/or an RNAlater/QIAzol sample tube (for a tumour biopsy), please E-mail: oncologyres@aht.org.uk.

Please submit samples to Molecular Oncology Group, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK.