Understanding Genetics Can Improve Your Pets Health & Prolong their Lives

Here are a few dog genetic tests that are currently available and they range from $60-$200 and are as simple as swabbing your dog's cheek and sending it into a lab.

The MDR1 (multi-drug resistance-1) test

Dogs that have a mutation in the MDR1 gene, which inhibits their ability to remove certain drugs from the brain and can lead up to a buildup of toxins, may have severe adverse reactions to some common drugs, including seizures, tremors, disorientation, blindness, lack of muscle control or even death

Most Breeds Affected include Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Collie, English Shepherd, German Shepherd, Long-Haired Whippet, McNab, Miniature Australian Shepherd,Mixed Breeds, Old English Sheepdog, Shetland Sheepdog, Silken Windhound

The Following are potentially dangerous to these breeds; Antibiotics such as erythromycin and rifampin, Anti-cancer drugs such as doxorubicin, vinblastine, and vincristine,Anti-diarrheal drugs such as loperamide (Imodium®), Certain parasite-control products such as ivermectin (in high doses), milbemycin, moxidectin, and selamectin, Pain medications such as butorphanol, Tranquilizers/sedatives such as acepromazine.

The Test

Washington State University Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory offers a Cheek Swab test to determine what drugs are safe for your dog.

Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel genetic testing is the canine version of 23+ me.

Mars is super smart. They make great chocolates and sell BILLIONS of dollars of dog food per year and with all the genetic testing they are offering will eventually be able to figure out how to isolate genes, keep cells healthy and prevent canine disease.

Real personalized dog nutrition based on a dogs DNA is not that far off and who better than Mars to introduce it. Some of their brands include Royal Canin, Pedigree, Nutro, Eukanuba and Iams. (Not my favorite dog food brands)

Mars offers two interesting tests that only require a cheek swab. The first test is the Wisdom Panel Health which offers Genetic Health Screening for 150 different conditions (I love this as they can identify a dogs predisposition for genetically inherited diseases and you can work with your Vet to create a custom prevention and treatment plan). Breed Detection is also very helpful which breaks down the number of your dogs identifiable breeds so maybe you can determine why your dog barks so much or why they love herding and provide a more stimulating, enriching environment for them based on their breed traits.

The second test is the Wisdom Panel 4.0 offers the MDR1 Drug Sensitivity Test ( same as Washington State), Exercise Sensitivity Testing (Hey, this could prevent heat exhaustion and maybe a heart attack) and Breed Detection (bummer that the Genetic Health Screening is not included in this test)

Embark Veterinary is also on the forefront of genetic testing I like that it’s an all-in-one test that includes a Doggy DNA Relative Finder that you may find your dogs relatives and even chat with the parents and hook up for playdates. Their Breed Ancestry breaks down your dog's multiple breeds letting you know what percentage it shares of breeds (assuming the breed is in their database) Most genetic companies offer something similar. What’s really cool about learning about your dog (especially rescues) is that when you look at your mixed breeds features you think you can identify the breeds but often you are way off. Health Screening tests is also a crucial test and Embark tests 170+ genetic diseases for early prevention or treatment.