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Dutchtown Animal Hospital

13604 Eads Road

Prairieville, LA 70769 USA

(225) 677-9900

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  • The Canine Genome and DNA Testing

The Canine Genome and DNA Testing

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet

Have you ever looked at your adopted dog with its short legs, shaggy hair and brown spot encircling one eye, and wondered what dog breeds are in there? Now that science has decoded the DNA of dogs, science can tell us many things. Harvard and MIT programs unraveled the canine DNA sequence in 2006, which unleashed the potential for useful information. Since then, many companies have begun doing genetic testing for dogs.

Two main types of information are gleaned from testing: identifying what breeds are in a mixed -breed dog and looking for the presence of genetic mutations causing disease. Now that we know what genes are normally present and in what order, we can compare any dog's genes to that normal. We know the normal order of genes for most of the dog breeds. Scientists have also found that many diseases have a genetic basis, and have found genetic markers for them.

Some people want to know what dog breeds are represented in their cross-bred dogs. Most want to know just for the fun of it, but there is an advantage to knowing, in that you can predict some behaviors or diseases that are prevalent in certain breeds. If your dog has any Border Collie or Australian Shepard in it, it will likely need a lot of exercise, and not be a good dog for living in an apartment. If your dog has any Boxer in it, you would know to watch for heart disease, lymphoma, and tumors in general. The reports identify which are the major breeds in your dog, and also find the breeds that are represented to a minor degree.

There are three main companies performing dog breed identification. The Wisdom Panel can detect the most number of breeds, 157, and is done on a blood sample, so a visit to your veterinarian is needed. More information can be found at wisdompanel.com. The Canine Heritage Company can identify 105 breeds and uses a sample from a cheek swab. More information can be found at canineheritage.com. The BioPet Company can identify 63 breeds and uses a cheek swab; the kit is sold at many pet and on-line stores. Their web address is biopetvetlab.com.

More valuable to veterinarians is the fact that now we can test for some diseases using genetic tests. The laboratory looks for genetic markers, that is, changes in the DNA sequence that have been shown to be associated with a certain disease. An example is a genetic mutation in Dalmatians discovered by University of California at Davis researchers. Most mammals metabolize the amino acid purine (found in meat) into allantoin, which is excreted into the urine. But, people, great apes, and some Dalmatians produce uric acid instead of allantoin. This concentration of uric acid in the urine causes Dalamtians commonly to form urate stones in their bladder, and surgery is needed to remove them. The identification of the genetic mutation now enables breeders to correct the problem.

Another genetic condition we can test for is Von Willebrand's Disease, a blood clotting disorder common in Doberman Pinschers. These dogs do not clot their blood properly, and are at risk for severe hemorrhage even with a simple surgery. Many veterinarians recommend that all Dobermans have this test before they are neutered or have a hysterectomy (spay) or any other surgery. If they are shown to have this disease, they can receive a plasma transfusion to replace the missing clotting factor before their surgery.

The ability to test for genetic reasons for disease is a huge leap forward in medicine. The future not only will show more diseases that have a genetic basis, but hopefully a method of changing or eliminating these mutations.

  • We Help Your Pet With
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Birds
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Ferrets
    • Rabbits
    • Reptiles
      • Lizards
      • Turtles
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Finding Your Pet
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Fun with Pets
    • Equine
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Unbelievable Pets
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Pet Dangers
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Behavior & Training
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids
  • Feline

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    I love this place! Our first time taking our beloved Prairie to a Louisiana vet and we were very pleased. Everyone was nice, polite, and helpful. Jennifer W.M. Prairieville, LA

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:00 am

8:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:00 am

5:30 pm

Wednesday:

7:00 am

5:30 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am

5:30 pm

Friday:

7:00 am

8:00 pm

Saturday:

7:00 am

12:00 pm

Sunday:

Boarding PickUp

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

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Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "The staff is amazing and they go beyond what is expected for my fur babies. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this clinic and everyone from the front desk to the back is simply wonderful."
    D. Rayborn
  • "Super nice people and great service. The staff follows-up and provides a very welcoming feeling."
    D. Stuntz, Prairieville
  • "The vet stayed in our room addressing our concerns thoroughly. We didn't feel rushed and I can tell that the staff really enjoys their jobs. We have switched both of our dogs to Dutchtown now and look forward to working with them in the future."
    T. O'Bannon
  • "Amazing service. The receptionist acted like they loved helping me and loved my animals like their own."
    .
  • "Everyone is so friendly and greets Max like his long lost friend. We are always completely satisfied with all the services provided each and every visit."
    J. Strain, Gonzales
  • "Staff was great and made us feel welcome on our first visit."
    J. Constantin
  • "I have been going to DAH since it opened & I always will! I feel safe bringing my sweet dogs & cat there knowing that they will be taken care of & we will all be treated with respect! I love the staff there especially Dr. Grayson!! Thanks y’all!!"
    Trisitin Murphy
  • "They genuinely care about you and your pet. We all sat on the floor and cried together when we had to put our dog down. Very caring vet."
    K. Kelly
  • "Dr. Grayson saved our kitty's life. She was missing for 6 weeks and was found emaciated, severely dehydrated, and had a damaged liver. She was only a couple of days away from death. Many vets might have thought it was hopeless and recommended putting her down, but not Dr. Grayson. Best of all, we were able to use our Care Credit, which gave us 6 months no interest to pay the bill off. Thank you Dr. Grayson and all the staff at Dutchtown Animal Hospital!!"
    Crystal M. / Prairieville, LA

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