Hi
Does anyone know of any Optigen test clinics in the UK or do I have to go through the American website?  Thanks

All samples go to the USA, but clinics where they collect samples to go in a batch are regularly run in UK.  Clinic schedule here: http://www.optigen.com/opt11_calendar.taf

I've just had samples done by post. A lady was doing a clinic that I couldn't get to (I can supply her details if you wish) My vet drew blood and I sent it to this lady who enclosed it with her bulk order. She gets a discount for a bulk booking and it probably saved me 50% of the cost and the  results were back in a couple of weeks.

Hi Sassinak I'd be very interested to learn more about this bulk order.  Thanks.

And if I was you I would ensure that you do it with bloods and not swabs!!

It's what I linked to above a 20/20 clinic which give the opportunity to save on the cost by having samples sent in bulk.

Some of those organising the UK sessions are happy for you to send the blood samples to them by priority UK mail to send off with the rest.  Bear in mind you want a fairly fresh sample so you want ti to arrive with the clinic organiser the day of the clinic.

The clinic list is updated regularly and has the organisers contact details for each session.

check optigen for the clinics - they're all on their website.  You contact the clinic and if it's nearby they'll take the blood and send it off, if you're doing it by post you have to go to a vet for them to take blood which you send to the clinic and they post off together.  You get 20% discount, plus more discount for paying by credit card.

The clinic gives you a reference number to quote and you have to register with optigen prior to the clinic day, give all your dog's details (so you need registration, microchip parents, eye test dates or whatever is relevant) then you give your credit card details and print off the relevant documents (for your vet to sign and to go with the blood sample).  If you give them your email address they'll confirm they've received it and then give you the result quickly by email.  They don't take money out until they get the blood sample. 

There are quite a few clinics around the UK and if you ask them I'm sure they'll take a postal submission - if not you can send off just the one sample, but you wont get the discount.

Val Tiller runs them twice a year from her house, she can be contacted at foxbarton border collies
Her next clinic is Sept, but she makes it really easy to do :)

It was Val that I used, I've just been checking her dates and found the same as you that the next isn't until September. But she might know who is doing one before then.

> But she might know who is doing one before then.

It will show on the Optigen list, so keep checking it as new clinics are arranged.

ok thanks folks for the replies, x

there'll be one at Weardale show (NE England) in July but bound to be others before then...