The same Filter Paper (FP) as the one used for the wildlife study (Bio-Rad Mini Trans-Blot Filter Paper, catalogue ref. 170-3932, Hercules, CA, USA) was selected for the collection of dog blood samples [21 (link)]. The same surface of the FP (10 cm × 7.5 cm) was saturated with whole blood, as described below.
Blood samples were taken from the jugular or cephalic vein using a syringe and a needle on conscious animals and collected into two untreated tubes. One tube was used to saturate the FP, whereas the second tube was centrifuged to obtain the serum sample. Serum samples were heat-inactivated (56 °C, 60 min) and stored at −20 °C before being tested. The heat-inactivation step was required as these samples were tested by the seroneutralization test.
Blood samples were taken from the jugular or cephalic vein using a syringe and a needle on conscious animals and collected into two untreated tubes. One tube was used to saturate the FP, whereas the second tube was centrifuged to obtain the serum sample. Serum samples were heat-inactivated (56 °C, 60 min) and stored at −20 °C before being tested. The heat-inactivation step was required as these samples were tested by the seroneutralization test.