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These tests are wonderful and easy to access for all. These tests are a simple swab in cheek, mail off and wait for results. You can check breeds, colors & patterns, body traits and more. But most importantly you get an idea of what common or uncommon diseases or disorders that your dog might have, or carry. This is especially needed if you plan on breeding your pup one day. These tests are amazing, and I recommend anyone from just owners to breeders alike to acquire these tests for your furry friend. These tests are also especially helpful for those buying a pup. Before purchasing, a person should research the breed(s) of the dog they are interested in. Its so important to know what are common genetic disorders for that breed. Some disorders do not show up until after adult life. It is also very reassuring to know you are purchasing a healthy puppy. Healthy puppies come from healthy parents. Here are some of the Dachshund related Genetic Tests:
(Later I will dig into each one of these disorders one by one in detail to address the symptoms, how they effect the dog, how common are they, etc.) Genetic testing is no longer relatively new, and is vastly available. It is affordable, and should be done by every single dog bred to make the best choices in choosing an appropriate mating. Breeding should only be done if it is an improvement in one form or another. Now that this is readily available there is no excuse why a breeder does NOT genetically test their dog before breeding. Genetic Testing is not fool-proof, and does not give you a 100% without a doubt guarantee that your dog is not affected or carries any of the ailments tested for. Not all diseases can be tested for, mutations happen, complex inheritance, and environmental & nutritional factors can skew results as can false positive/negatives. Genetic Testing does allow for breeders to make more informed decisions when choosing a mating pair. Allowing the higher probability to avoid a disorder by not breeding two carriers together. This also allows for pairing (or not) of certain genetic traits and colorations. It also allows for early detection of some ailments and allow for Owners and their Vets to make future plans for a healthy good quality life for the pet. Just because the parents are tested, does not mean you can get away with not testing the offspring. Things change, as stated above, Mutations, Complex inheritance, environmental and nutritional factors. Any breeder that tells you the parent is not tested because the grandparents are, is incorrect, and does not have proper knowledge of that parent dogs health. The accuracy and advancement of genetic testing depends on the continuation of testing through the generations. Science is always evolving. Always improving. In addition to Genetic DNA testing, parent dogs should also be be evaluated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals by breed specific recommended tests. The OFA looks at the dogs Orthopedic Health. OFA was the original health testing, before genetic testing became readily available. Using both OFA and DNA together allows breeders to make even better informed choices. Breeders who are transparent with these results, show owners they are dedicated to ongoing health and well being of what they produce. In conclusion, I feel that genetic testing is a valuable asset to your dog's general health routine. Weather you are breeding or not. The average cost of genetic testing is about $100-$200, depending on all you want to see results for. This amount is basically the same as the average cost of vaccines for your pet for his/her first year. If you are going to spend that to ensure your pet has a higher probability to be protected from Parvo, why wouldn't you also check for things that could pop up later, and be prepared?  Informative Links |
About The AuthorAs I am writing these articles, I am researching the information I am finding in hopes to make this information easily available to others, and learn more along the way! ArchivesCategories
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