Genetic Testing
When Carol saw a little brown-eyed beagle at the shelter, it was love at first sight. She began to gently stroke his little shorthaired body. When she came to the end of his body she saw the biggest, fluffiest tail she had ever seen on a beagle. “Where in the world did you get this tail from?” she exclaimed.
Stuart had searched a long time and finally found the lab he so badly wanted at PAWS Chicago. He was delighted. Upon further inspection of lab’s coat he noticed that his fur had big brown and black spots on it. He had never seen a lab with spots before, so he wondered what the pooch, now named Polka Dot, was mixed with.
Now Carol and Stuart no longer have to wonder about the breed of their dogs are. And neither do the 86% of mixed breed dog owners who don’t know which breeds are in their dog. It may sound like science fiction, but genetic testing for dogs is now available. After several years of extensive work by scientists who gathered a large pool of DNA samples from thousands of dogs, the genetic puzzle can be solved. For about $65, a simple swab of the inside of your dog’s cheek can determine his mix with over 90 percent accuracy. This testing is valuable for reasons beyond satisfying pet parent’s curiosity. Knowing your dog’s breed can help with preventative measures.
Since certain canine diseases and health issues are linked with specific breeds, these tests can enable you to be better informed to prevent future issues and ensure proper treatment should breed-specific issues occur. If you are interested in genetic testing for your pet, you can consult the website of Vetgen, Metamorphic, MMI Genomics, and Wisdom Panel Mix or talk with your veterinarian.
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