The EquiSal® Saliva Collection Swab absorbs approximately 0.5 – 0.75 ml of saliva using highly absorbent, cylindrical swab material. The swab design has been optimised for maximum strength and durability, making it ideal for animal use as well as human use.
The swab has an integrated sample volume indicator window that clearly indicates when sufficient saliva has been collected by a colour change from white to bright pink (food dye-based).
Sample collection time is dependent on the amount of saliva present, but at high salivation rates a sample can be collected in as little as 10 seconds.
Saliva is extracted from the swab either by diffusion into our proprietary saliva preservative solution or through centrifugation. The sample may be used immediately or sent to a laboratory for subsequent analysis.
Although the EquiSal® swab has been designed for the collection of saliva, it can be used for various sample types such as urine.
Austin Davis Biologics is able to customise the swab material and/or density, sample extraction methods, and colour indicator to meet individual requirements if necessary.
Please contact us to discuss your needs.
Austin Davis Biologics’ proprietary preservative solution is proven to keep equine saliva stable for at least 3 weeks at room temperature and 2 weeks at 37°C.
Our tubes can be supplied empty for simple centrifugation of the EquiSal® swab to extract saliva, or we can supply the tubes complete with preservative solution. For effective preservation of saliva samples, 2 ml preservative solution is required as a minimum.
Target species: Horse, donkey, sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, llama, alpaca.
Sample type: Saliva, urine
Device use: Research use (diagnostic use in horses).
EquiSal Tapeworm testing
The EquiSal® saliva collection swab is used to collect horse saliva for use in the EquiSal® Tapeworm test to diagnose tapeworm infections in horses. Well over 50,000 samples have been successfully collected and tested since the EquiSal® swab was developed in early 2017.
Please contact us at enquiries@equisal.com for pricing and additional information.
Use of a saliva‐based diagnostic test to identify tapeworm infection in horses in the UK.
Lightbody et al. (2018) Equine Veterinary Journal. Volume 50, Issue 2.
Zylkéne to load? The effects of alpha-casozepine on compliance and coping in horses during loading.
Ijichi et al. (2019) Journal of Veterinary Behavior. Volume 30.
