Ticks Are So Bad They're Climbing Up The Side of Matt's House
Genetic Health Testing For Service Dogs Now More Accessible
Through new corporate partnership between Embark Veterinary and Assistance Dogs International
In honor of National Service Dog Month, Embark Veterinary, Inc is offering its Embark for Breeders dog DNA test kits to North American members of the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) breeding cooperative. This is part of the 2 entities new corporate partnership.
"At ADI, we pride ourselves on establishing and promoting standards of excellence for assistance dogs," said Chris Diefenthaler, executive director at ADI, in a company release.1 "That's why we work closely with our International Breeding Cooperative to use all the tools at our disposal to produce the healthiest puppies, who will go on to become successful assistance dogs. Embark dog DNA tests are one of those tools that help us create new paths of possibilities for individuals with disabilities."
DNA tests, like Embark, help detect genetic health conditions pets are prone to and most assistance dogs are typically those susceptible to disease, including Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, poodles, and Newfoundlands.1 This stresses the importance of genetic health testing for these dogs who undergo extensive training as puppies to help perform tasks for people with disabilities.
Currently, Embark test for genetic health conditions relevant to the dog's breed, clinical tools, and 250+ genetic variants associated with the disease.2 According to the release, most recently, to further address the array of genetic disorders found in dogs, Embark added a new test for Stargardt Disease to its genetic screening panel in March 2023.
"Stargardt Disease is an example of a genetic health condition that occurs in Labrador retrievers, a breed that's essential in many assistance dog programs," said Jenna Dockweiler, MS, DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT, Embark veterinary geneticist.1 "The disease causes the slow deterioration of a dog's vision and would devastate a dog's career in assistance work. This test is just one example of how genetic screening tools empower organizations with the information they need to make the best breeding decisions for their programs. Fortunately, because this disease is inherited in a recessive manner, smart breeding decisions can avoid producing puppies at-risk for this disease."
NEADS World Class Service Dogs, a Massachusetts-based service dog program, is among the 53 ADI-accredited organizations that will benefit from the new Embark partnership.1 NEADS has developed the "Prison PUP Program," in which service dog puppies are trained by select prison program handlers. NEADS used Embark DNA testing early in the game to help breed program candidates with specific health, temperament, and longevity parameters.
"One of our recent program graduates displayed stellar temperament, behavior, and health during his evaluation period for breeding and training. To fulfill his potential in both breeding and service dog work, we chose to collect his semen and freeze it to use for future matings," said Kate Albertini, manager of breeding and puppy development at NEADS.1 "This dog went on to complete his training and was matched with a veteran client. When we are ready to breed using his stored sample, his Embark DNA results will help us match him to an appropriate female. This will provide his future offspring with the best opportunity for long, healthy careers in service dog work."
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Human Cheek Swab Tests Accuracy Of Dog DNA Tests
Dogs are a part of our family, but who formed part of theirs? With more mixed breeds cropping up, DNA tests have gained popularity among pet owners seeking to confirm their canines' genetic compositions. However, as per CBS News Boston, the very accuracy of dog DNA tests was thrown into question by Michelle Leininger's experience after she submitted her own cheek swabs for a DNA test.
Woman tests DNA of both her dog and herselfLeininger — a resident of Salem, New Hampshire — opted for genetic testing after adopting Jasmine, a rescue dog. Jasmine's striking resemblance to a German Shepherd spurred her pet parent's decision to order the test.
Leininger shared her reasoning, saying: "Shepherds have a history of hip issues, so we wanted the DNA testing to know what [Jasmine's] history was."
The test, however, presented an unexpected twist. While German Shepherd ancestry was confirmed, the report also revealed a surprising mix of 14 other breeds. Furthermore, the inclusion of "Chihuahua" among the assortment left Leininger perplexed, leading her to explore further.
The WBZ-TV I-Team at CBS News undertook additional tests with various companies. The subsequent results consistently confirmed the presence of German Shepherd genes, yet the percentages ranged from 65% to 29%. Beyond that, each company's findings presented an eclectic assortment of other dog DNA. This list included Great Pyrenees, Siberian Husky, and even Korean Jindo.
Furthermore, Leininger went a step further in testing the system by collecting a swab from her own cheeks. The results couldn't have been more bizarre. As per the feedback from her personal test, Leininger's genetic make-up reportedly consisted of 28% Bulldog, 40% Border Collie, and 32% Cane Corso genes.
Leininger's experience casts doubt on the accuracy of dog DNA testsDespite reacting to the findings in good humor, Leininger asserted that she would not invest in similar tests again, deeming it not worth the expense. Her decision does make sense, considering that the cost of her test kit came to $80.
Leininger is hardly alone in this regard. Market research reveals that pet DNA testing is a $345 million market, expected to grow by 85% before 2030.
Dr. Lisa Moses, a veterinarian and bioethicist at Harvard Medical School, agrees with Leininger. According to Moses, "A company should know if they've in any basic way analyzed a dog's DNA, that that is not a dog."
However, DNA My Dog — the company that conducted the test — sent the I-Team a response clarifying the unexpected test results. According to Service Director Jessica Barnett, the second sample yielded dog DNA. Barnett claimed that if a human sample had truly been submitted, such results would not have been possible.
Dr. Becca Chodroff Foran, who serves as the Head of R&D at Wisdom Panel — a division of Mars Petcare Science & Diagnostics — also commented on these varied results. She explained that each company uses distinct reference populations, although their own "breed detection system consistently outperforms other approaches."
The fact that people might make medical decisions based on one of these tests is what prompted Dr. Moses to worry. As such, she and her colleagues are urging legislators to ensure the accuracy of dog DNA tests. Proposed standards would include data sharing among labs to guarantee more consistent results in the future.
Currently, the absence of precise genetic codes makes the process of identifying dog breeds more complex. Instead, breed determination relies largely on visual characteristics, which remains dubious at best. For now, pet parents are left hoping for rapid advancements in DNA technology. Some may even be waiting for a future where test results are held to stricter legal standards.
The post Human Cheek Swab Tests Accuracy of Dog DNA Tests appeared first on DogTime.
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How To Get A DNA Dog Test
Dog DNA tests can be a great way to learn more about your dog and their health, and in some cases, can also be helpful if you are trying to find a lost dog or reuniting litters. The results of the DNA test will typically be available within a few weeks. The results will include information about your dog's breed, health risks, and ancestry.
There are many different dog DNA tests available, so you can choose one that best suits your needs and budget. Here are the steps on how to get one:
Choose a DNA testing company. There are many different dog DNA testing companies, and each of them offer different features and services, so it is important to compare them before making a decision.
Order a DNA test kit. Once you have chosen a DNA testing company, you can order a DNA test kit. The kit will usually include a swab to collect your dog's DNA.
Collect your dog's DNA. The swab is used to collect a sample of your dog's cheek cells. You can do this by gently rubbing the swab inside your dog's cheek for about 30 seconds.
Send the DNA sample to the lab. Once you have collected your dog's DNA, you will need to send the sample to the lab. The lab will analyze the DNA sample and provide you with a report of your dog's breed, health risks, and other information.
The cost of a dog DNA test varies depending on the company and the features offered. However, most tests cost between $60 and in excess of $300.
Benefits of getting a dog DNA testLearn your dog's breed. If you don't know your dog's breed, a test can help you find out. This information can be helpful for understanding your dog's personality, health risks, and grooming needs.
Identify health risks. Some tests can identify your dog's risk for certain health conditions, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. This information can help you make informed decisions about your dog's care.
Track your dog's ancestry. A few tests can track your dog's ancestry back to their ancestors. This information can be helpful for understanding your dog's genetic makeup and where they came from.
Find lost dogs. If your dog ever gets lost, a DNA test can help you identify them. This is because the DNA test will show their unique genetic makeup.
Embark: Embark is one of the most popular dog DNA tests available. It offers a wide range of features, including breed identification, health risk screening, and ancestry tracking.
Wisdom Panel: Wisdom Panel is another popular dog DNA test. It offers similar features to Embark, but it is slightly less expensive.
DNA My Dog: DNA My Dog is a less expensive option than Embark or Wisdom Panel. It offers breed identification and health risk screening, but it does not offer ancestry tracking.
While these companies are the most popular, we urge you to DNA test reviews to find one most suitable for your needs.
Factors to consider when purchasing a testThe features offered: Some tests offer more features than others, such as breed identification, health risk screening, and ancestry tracking.
The price: Dog DNA tests can range in price from $60 to $200
The accuracy: The accuracy of a dog DNA test depends on the company and the test.
The ease of use: Some tests are easier to use than others.
According to Forever Vets, veterinarians and geneticists have doubts about any company's claim of "90 percent accurate or higher," due to the lack peer-reviewed research to back up those numbers. However, they state the kits can be useful, but to take the results "with a grain of salt."
The post How To Get a DNA Dog Test appeared first on DogTime.
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