Information for Pet Owners
Animal Samples for Research
Scientific research is highly dependent on the availability and quality of biological samples. Samples such as tissue, blood and other biofluids allow researchers to study biological functions, health and diseases in humans and animals. High-quality animal samples are crucial for veterinary research because without them, understanding diseases is not possible. Without understanding diseases, treatments and preventive measures against them cannot be developed.
For research to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of diseases
To uncover biomedical relationships in studies with larger animal groups
Not for direct diagnosis in pets or other animals
What are the objectives of sampling?
What are the direct benefits of sampling for pets and pet owners?
The results indicate that your pet is suffering from a serious, previously undetected illness AND
The discovered disease can be treated or prevented
What samples and data can be taken?
As part of the collection of biomaterial, we ask you to donate one or more of the following samples:
Serum, Plasma and/or Whole Blood
Biopsies or punch biopsies from resected specimens
Urine
Samples collected in a non-invasive manner (i.e. without additional stress or restrictions for the animals), e.g. tears, cheek swabs, faeces
Other data such as x-ray images, examination results and general information about the patient (such as age, gender, race, diagnosis or treatment)
Will my pet have to endure additional pain or injury?
No, your pet will not experience any additional pain or injury. Samples are collected during routine examinations or treatments.
No more complex sampling procedure than inserting a needle is required, as such samples are usually obtained through routine diagnostic and surgical procedures.
If your pet's health permits and you wish, other non-invasive/stress-free procedures such as taking swabs, tears and feces can be performed after a veterinary examination.
Adverse effects or risks are rare.
Due to the necessary transparency in scientific research, some information about your pet can be traced. However, no data is collected from you as the owner. Lab4Paws uses multi-stage processes to ensure that patient data is anonymized. However, the existing privacy risks can only be reduced by accumulating data.
How is data protection and confidentiality handled?
For more information
If you would like to know more, please download our consent form.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our experts Contact.
All Lab4paws projects are not classified as animal testing.
All animal welfare permits are in place.
Stadt Nürnberg
Ministry of Health Department of Human Health
Government of Lower Franconia
Information for Pet Owners
Animal Samples for Research
Scientific research is highly dependent on the availability and quality of biological samples. Specimens such as tissue, blood and other biofluids enable researchers to study biological functions, health and diseases of humans and animals. High-quality animal samples are critical for veterinary research because without them, understanding diseases will not be possible. Without understanding diseases, treatments and preventative measures against them cannot be developed.
What are the Goals of Sampling?
Lab4Paws‘ biobank stores samples and data for the long term:
For research to improve disease prevention, detection, and treatment
For biomedical links in a study of larger animal groups
Not for diagnosis of pets or other animals
What are the Benefits of Sampling to Pets and Pet Owners?
Donating samples and data from pets gives no direct advantage or benefit for your health.
BUT, findings can be of help to your pet’s health only IF:
Results suggest your pet has a serious, previously undetected disease AND
The discovered disease can be treated or prevented
Which Samples and Data Can Be Taken?
As part of this biomaterial collection, we ask you to donate one or more of the following samples:
Serum, plasma and/or whole blood
Biopsies or punch biopsies from resectates
Urine
Samples taken in a non-invasive way (i.e. causing no additional stress to the animals, including restrictions) such as tears, buccal swabs, faeces
Other data such as radiographs, exam results, and general information regarding the patient (such as age, gender, breed, disease diagnosis or treatment)
Does My Pet Need to Suffer More Pain or Injury?
No, your pet will not suffer additional pain or injury. Samples are derived from routine analysis or treatment.
Sample collection more invasive than needle insertion is not necessary because routine diagnostic and surgical procedures usually produce such samples.
Non-invasive/non-stressful procedures such as swab, tears and feces collection are only done after medical examination by your veterinarian to see if your pet’s health or your preference permits them.
Adverse effects or risks are rare.
What about Privacy and Confidentiality?
Some information can be traced back to your pet due to transparency in scientific research. But, no data from you as owner is collected. Lab4Paws ensures that redundant protocols are in place to anonymize patient data but privacy risks can only be reduced as data accumulates.
References
Fuss, I. J., Kanof, M. E., Smith, P. D., & Zola, H. (2009). Isolation of whole mononuclear cells from peripheral blood and cord blood. Current protocols in immunology, Chapter 7, 7.1.1–7.1.8. https://doi.org/10.1002/0471142735.im0701s85
Lyu, M., Shi, X., Liu, Y., Zhao, H., Yuan, Y., Xie, R., Gu, Y., Dong, Y., & Wang, M. (2023). Single-cell transcriptome analysis of H5N1-HA-stimulated alpaca PBMCs. Biomolecules, 13(60). https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13010060
Riedhammer, C., Halbritter, D., & Weissert, R. (2016). Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: Isolation, Freezing, Thawing, and Culture. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 1304, 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/7651_2014_99
Yu, S., Xiong, G., Zhao, S., Tang, Y., Tang, H., Wang, K., Liu, H., Lan, K., Bi, X., & Duan, S. (2021). Nanobodies targeting immune checkpoint molecules for tumor immunotherapy and immunoimaging (Review). International journal of molecular medicine, 47(2), 444–454. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4817
