Private

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB
control number for this information collection is 0579-XXXX. The time required to complete this information collection
is estimated to average 3.0 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data
resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collected.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION
SERVICE
VETERINARY SERVICES
NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM
2150 CENTRE AVE, BLDG B
FORT COLLINS, CO 80526

OMB Approved
0579-XXXX
EXP: XX/20XX

NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study –
Blood & Swab Sample
Collection Record

Sample Collection Overview

The blood samples collected in the tiger top SST tubes and purple top EDTA tubes will be stored and used
for research that will benefit the sheep industry. Ewes that have blood samples collected can also have
interdigital swab samples collected. These swabs will be tested with PCR to detect the presence of
bacteria that cause foot rot. Swab results will be sent to all participants.
Samples can be collected any day of the week, but samples can only be shipped SundayWednesday. Keep samples cool in a refrigerator until the next shipping day. If possible, blood samples in
the tiger top tubes should be spun down once clotted.

Kit Contents

This kit contains supplies for blood collection and interdigital swab samples. Please remove any
extra or unused supplies before shipping samples. In this kit you will find:
25, 8.5-ml tiger top SST blood tubes
15, 10 ml purple top EDTA blood tubes
1 tube divider box
35, 18-gauge, 1” vacutainer needles
3 vacutainer holders
25 interdigital swabs
25 tongue depressors
2 liner bags, gallon sized Ziploc® bags, 2 ice packs, 2 absorbent sheets
Ballpoint pen for filling out the Collection Records
Sarstedt marker for labeling tubes
1 large insulated cooler box and shipping box
Paperwork including instructions, submission form, labels, and 1 FedEx airbills addressed to NVSL

Blood Collection Instructions
Tiger Top SST Blood Tubes

Collect from ewes that are at least 15 months of age. Ewes can be pregnant if the Producer is comfortable
with the sampling. Sample a maximum of 25 ewes. Include ewes that have suspected lameness or
footrot if you will be collecting interdigital swabs:
Number of Ewes on an Operation
1 to 19 ewes
20 to 49 ewes
50 or more ewes

Sample Number
Sample all ewes
Sample 20 ewes
Sample 25 ewes

Fill 1 tiger top tube per ewe using the provided needles and vacutainer holder. If you prefer syringes or
different length needle, you will need to provide your own. (Collect purple top tops at this time. See
instructions below).
Use the preprinted red labels numbered 1a through 25a to label the red-top tube samples. Using the
Sarstedt marker, write the NAHMS ID and the sheep name/ID on the label. Make sure the labels are
secure on the tubes.
The lab will appreciate it if you can let the samples in the red-top tubes clot and then spin them down.
Please place tubes in the tube divider boxes in numeric order.
Purple top EDTA Blood tubes
Collect from up to 15 ewes that had blood collected using the Tiger top SST tubes.
Use the preprinted purple labels numbered 1b through 25b to label the red-top tube samples. Note, you will
only use 15 of the 25 provided labels. Be sure to use the correct sample label for each blood tube. Using
the Sarstedt marker, write the NAHMS ID and the sheep name/ID on the label. Make sure the labels are
secure on the tubes

Interdigital Swab Instructions

Use one swab sample for each ewe that had blood collected in a tiger top blood tube. The sample
numbers and sheep IDs need to match the samples from the tiger top blood tubes.
Remove any mud and debris from the interdigital space with a tongue depressor. Use a clean tongue
depressor for each sheep. Swab the interdigital skin of at least 2 feet per ewe. Vigorously rub the cotton
swab back and forth in the interdigital space. If lameness or footrot is suspected, be sure to swab
suspected foot. If lameness or footrot is suspected, take a photograph of the suspected foot.
Insert the swab into the plastic tube, breaking off the stick inside the tube. Close the plastic tube.
Use the preprinted blue swab labels numbered 1c through 25c to label plastic swab tube. Using the
Sarstedt marker, write NAHMS ID and the Sheep name/ID on each the label. Make sure the labels are
secure on the tubes.
Place the swab samples in the gallon sized Ziploc®.

Collection Record for all Samples

Fill out the pink submission form and the digital collection record. Use the QR code or the URL

below to access the Blood Swab Collection Record.

Shipping
Keep samples cool in a refrigerator until the next shipping day. Ship only Sunday-Wednesday.
Place the blood box filled with blood samples, two absorbent sheets, and two ice packs inside a liner bag.
Add the Ziploc® of swab samples. Remove excess air from the liner bag and tie shut. Place this liner bag
with the blood and swab samples inside the cooler box. Close the cooler lid.
Place the filled out pink submission form on top of the cooler lid and seal the cardboard box. Secure the
shipping box and attach the airbill addressed to NVSL onto the shipping box. Ship only Monday-

Wednesday.

Blood and Swab Collection Record

NAHMS ID:
6 digits

rid

Date:

Kit #:

mm/dd/yy

Printed on
labels rkit

rdate

Total ewe inventory TODAY:
rdnum

Sample ewes that are at least 15 months of age.

r101

Label number

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

r102

Ewe
ID

r103y

Age
(years)

r104/r104oth

Breed Code
[See breed
reference
card]

r105

Ewe status
1=Nursing
2=Pregnant
3=Open

R106

If Ewe status
is nursing or
pregnant then
please list the
most recent
lambing date
mm/dd/yyyy

r107a-e

Clinical History:
1=Abortion in
previous 12
months
2=Runny nose
3=Thin
4=Diarrhea
5=Other
[List all that
apply]

r108

Comment
or specify
other
clinical
history

R109

R110

Tiger top
tube
collected?

Purple top
blood tube
collected?

Place a
checkmark
for YES

Place a
checkmark
for YES

r111

Interdigital Swab
Collected?
Place a checkmark
for YES

r112

Lameness or
footrot
suspected and
photo taken?
Place a
checkmark for
YES

13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Continue collection if there are 50 or more ewes on the operation.
21
22
23
24
25

How many people in each category helped with the collection of the blood and swab samples?
_____ State government rst
_____ Fed VMO rvmo
_____ Producer rprod
_____ Fed AHT raht
_____ Other (specify: _______________________________) roth
Total sample time: _______ hours rhr
Primary collector name and phone: __________________________________________________rname/rph

NAHMS Sheep 2024
Blood and Swab Submission Sheet
NAHMS ID:
6 digits

Date:

Kit #:

mm/dd/yy

1. Number of Tiger Top SST Tubes submitted?

Printed on labels

_________________________
0-25

2. Number of Purple Top EDTA Tubes submitted? _________________________
0-15

3. Number of Cotton Swabs submitted?

_________________________
0-25