| SFCP Obex Collection
As part of the SFCP, producers are required to complete a brain test on any animal that dies on the farm that is over one year of age. If no animals die within the year, producers are required to cull an animal that is over 24 months of age and complete a brain test.
The cost of the brain test is covered by the program. In order for the cost of the brain test to be invoiced to Scrapie Canada, producers must submit a cover letter with the following information to the laboratory along with the brain sample.
- Contact information
- Animal identification information
- SFCP enrollment number
If submitting the entire head to the laboratory, please note that most laboratories charge an extra fee to remove the obex from the head (approximately $15.00 depending on the laboratory). This removal fee is not covered by the program and producers are responsible for paying this cost. If submitting the entire head, producers should contact the laboratory in advance and inquire about the cost of the obex removal.
Although entire heads may be submitted
to most laboratories, shipping and analysis costs
will be lower if only the portion of the brain (the
obex) that will actually be used in the analysis is
sent to the lab.
Some producers may prefer to have
their vets remove the obex. However, for producers
willing to learn the technique, click the following
link for instructions (obex
removal). You may also ask your veterinarian
to demonstrate the procedure for you and/or request
a DVD of the technique from the Scrapie Project
Coordinator (Phone: Toll Free 1-866-534-1302, Local 519–372–9030, Fax 519–372–9261; admin@scrapiecanada.ca).
If you do chose to remove the obex,
you must include the animal identification with the
sample (i.e. place the ear tag in the bag/container
with the obex and clearly label the bag/container
with the date and animal ID, including the lab submission
form in the shipping package.
Note: If you are
sending samples to the Alberta Agriculture
lab, they request that producers within Alberta submit
the entire head, while out-of-province producers must
submit only the obex.
The following is a list of approved laboratories across Canada that complete brain testing.
Alberta Agriculture
Agri-Food Systems Branch
104 O. S. Longman Building
6909 - 116 Street
Edmonton AB T6H 4P2
Phone: 780-422-1923
Fax: 780-422-3438
Animal Health Laboratory
Laboratory Services (University of Guelph)
College of Veterinarians of Ontario
Building 49, Box 3612
Guelph ON N1H 6R8
Phone: 519-824-4120, Ext. 54544
Fax: 519-821-8072
Web: www.ahl.uoguelph.ca
Sample Submission Form available online at:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/ahl/Forms/Ruminant-1.pdf
Prairie Diagnostic Services
4840 Wascana Parkway
Regina SK S4S 7J6
Phone: 306-787-6435
Web: www.usask.ca
Sample Submission Form available online at:
http://www.usask.ca/pds/Forms/GenSubmissionForm.pdf
Laboratoire d'expertises en pathologie animale du Québec
2700 Einstein Street, local C.RC. 242
Ste-Foy QC G1P 3W8
Phone: 418-643-6140
Fax: 418-644-4532
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Livestock Knowledge Center
Farm Production Extension
545 University Crescent
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5S6
Phone: 204-945-4174
Fax: 204-945-8062
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