GENETIC TESTING IN PETS

by Dr. Jaime Smoot Speed, DVM

Acommon theme of my articles is that pets are no longer just used for our utility, they are a beloved member of our family. In this post-genomic era, genetic testing is something we are becoming more and more accustomed to at our own physicians’ offices. But were you aware there are genetic testing options for our pets? Let’s explore.

The first use of genetic testing in pets is to determine lineage. With so many intentional and unintentional crosses of breeds, many people are fascinated by their dogs “heritage.” Although not quite as advanced as ancestry.com, there are a few companies which have dedicated space to identifying markers in all the common dog breeds. This allows them to take a sample that is collected at home or in a veterinarian’s office, amplify it, and then determine which markers your pet carries and to what degree the relation is to your pet. For example, the “wisdom panel” claims to have 98% accuracy in detecting breed mix and can trace their family tree back three generations.

The second use, which is perhaps the most exciting to me, is the genetic health testing. “Wisdom Panel” has over 265 tests to detect pertinent health conditions such as mutations that can lead to bladder stones, brain disease, dental disease, eye disease, drug sensitivities, and heart disease, just to name a few. Some companies offer online consultations, or you can take your report to your trusted Veterinarian for consultation.

Sample collection can be as easy as hair retrieval to blood testing depending on how comprehensive you would like the testing to be. Kits can be found online, at pet stores, and at your Veterinarian’s office. These are exciting times in genetic research and can be a great gift for someone as the holidays draw near!

Jaime Smoot Speed was born in West Virginia, went to James Madison University with a BS in molecular biology, then worked at Johns Hopkins doing research until attending UGA for Vet School. She graduated in 2010 and moved to Clayton five years ago. She works at Clayton Veterinary Hospital and opened Claws & Paws in December 2020. You can reach Claws & Paws at 706-212-7322 or visit their website: claytonpawsandclaws.com or on facebook and instagram: @claytonclawsandpaws