I submitted a cheek swab from Chase to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. I wanted to know if he carried the mutated gene for Degenerative Myelopathy. DM may cause hindquarter paralysis in most breeds of dogs and now that a genetic marker has been identified for Cardigans, I wanted to add the test results to my arsenal of knowledge about our boy.
Today we received the results. I’m happy that he will never suffer from this disease and, if he is ever a dad, he will not pass it to his offspring because OFA says he is NORMAL.
awesome! Was it horribly expensive to do?
Congrats! I plan on sending in swabs on at least Galaxy, unless her parents are sent in (Then depending on results)
I’m really excited about this test, and what it can mean for many breeds. I just wish there weren’t so many unknowns, but it reminds me of hip results… genetic + environmental factors are the typical causes of dysplacia.
That is great news! :o)
The cost is $65 for each dog for up to (I think) five dogs, more than five, the price goes down. It takes about two weeks to get the results back from OFA. There is a link on the OFA website. You pay in advance, and are sent the swabs, envelopes, directions. Everything is bar coded and identified with the matching dog’s information.
The results — good or bad are posted on the OFA website under the particular breed.
Good news! I hadn’t heard about this testing option before.
Thanks Penni… I think I will look into doing my guys as the funds are available 😉