Why is the dog inherited disease test important?

Certain dog breeds are known to be prone to particular hereditary conditions that can affect their quality of life. EasyDNA offers dog inherited disease testing a reliable and accurate DNA test that will establish the genetic susceptibility of your dog to a given disease. Chief among the interests of dog breeders is that their litters are genetically disease free. The results of our test will establish clearly whether your dog is a carrier, affected or clear of the disease. Our canine disease testing service starts from just £55 Results are ready and sent by email in 10 working days from receipt of samples at the laboratory.

As a dog breeder, you need to make responsible decisions. Any dog lover or breeder clearly wishes the best possible health and happiness for their dog. However, the scope of the test goes even further. It is the responsibility of a breeder to provide dogs that are healthy and disease-free. Certain dog breeds are known to sometimes be carriers or even affected by certain disease-causing genes, more so than other breeds.

Labrador Retrievers can be affected by Centronuclear Myopathy, while Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK) is known to sometimes affect West Highland Terriers and Basenjis. As a breeder, you can market your dogs as being disease free, guaranteeing their health with the results of our dog inherited disease test. By knowing which dogs are carriers or affected by a certain genetic disease, a breeder can exclude that dog from mating, thereby creating a healthier gene pool.

Collecting DNA samples

Samples for the testing of inherited dog diseases can be collected using the kit we provide. Our kit contains oral swabs, which need to be rubbed inside the mouth for around 1 minute. Most dogs will have no issues with this process but for more restless dogs, you may have to hold the dog’s head firmly in order to get the swab inside the mouth.

Dog inherited disease testing results

Results will show the genotype for the dog/ dogs tested. For each dog disease tested for, the genotype can display any of the following:

 

  • Clear (those having 2 copies of the normal allele and appear to be normal).
  • Carrier (those having 1 copy of the normal allele and 1 copy of the mutation and most appear to be normal).
  • At risk (those having 2 copies of the mutation and will likely show clinical signs.)

 

 

 

Disease Symptoms Dog Breed
Uric Acid DNA Test (Hyperuricosuria) Hyperuricosuria, or elevated uric acid level in the urine, is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder and is characterized by the formation of bladder stones and occasional kidney stones. All Dog Breeds
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) DM is a degenerative disease of the spinal cord, characterized by muscle weakness in the hind limbs eventually leading to paraplegia. All Dog Breeds
Centronuclear Myopathy CNM is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder and is characterized by weight loss, awkward weight gain and exercise intolerance. Labrador Retrievers
Cystinuria A metabolic disorder that can cause stones in the urinary tract. Newfoundlands and Labradors
Phosphofructokinase Deficiency (PFK) A metabolic disorder that prevents glucose from being converted into available energy, leading to muscle disease and sometimes anemia in affected animals. English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels and Whippets
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK) A defect in red blood cells that leads to anemia and liver failure. West Highland Terriers and Basenjis
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) Dogs clinically affected by Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) will often begin to exhibit leg weakness followed by a complete collapse after just 5 to 15 minutes of strenuous activity. Any dog but Labrador Retrievers at high risk
Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK) HNPK affected dogs will develop dry, rough crusts on the tip of the nose. In extreme cases, the dog’s nose will crack causing severe discomfort.  Labrador Retrievers
Multidrug Resistance 1 (MDR1) MDR1 affected dogs are at risk of developing neurologic symptoms from several common drugs. Check List
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd) PRA-prcd is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease. Degeneration of both rod and cone photoreceptor cells of the retina of PRA-prcd affected dogs usually occurs 3 to 5 years of age or later. Check List
Dog von Willebrand Disease Test von Willebrand Disease Type 1 (vWD1) is the most common genetic bleeding disease among dogs, which causes excessive bleeding after injury, trauma, or surgical procedures. Check List

Other Canine DNA Tests

Do you want to discover more about your canine friend? EasyDNA offers other dog DNA testing services such as Dog Allergy testing and Canine Breed testing which can help improve your dog’s life.

Dog Parentage Testing
DNA My Dog Breed Test
Cat DNA test