TotalBond Veterinary Hospitals

Genetic & DNA Testing

Genomic medicine is here. Your TBVH doctor may recommend, even (or perhaps especially) for puppies, a cheek swab or blood sample to check for various inherited disorders known to occur in give breeds or breed crosses.

Why Genetic Testing?

While the types of genetic conditions and the tests to detect them are too numerous to count, examples include:

  • MDR1 mutation (drug sensitivity): collies, Australian Shepherds, Shelties, Whippets, other breeds
  • Inherited kidney diseases of retrievers, cocker spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, Welsh Corgi, Irish Setter, Lhasa Apso
  • Inherited liver disease of Bedlington Terrier
  • Von Willebrand (bleeding disorder) of Dobermans, Welsh Corgi, Poodle, Scottish Terrier, Sheltie, pointers
  • Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherds, Welsh Corgi, Boxers, Wire-haired terriers, poodles
  • Inherited enzyme deficiencies of cocker spaniels, Basenji, Irish Setter, Persian and Persian-mix cats
  • Cardiomyopathy: Dobermans, Boxers; Maine Coon, Ragdoll cats