Blood sample for DNA testing
It is possible to take blood tests to test for eye disorders in certain breeds. The blood tests reveal whether the dog is a carrier of a hereditary eye disorder that can be passed on to its offspring.
A genetic test maps the animal's genetic material to identify hereditary diseases when the location of the gene on the animal's chromosomes is known. Genetic tests are therefore a good supplement to annual eye exams in several dog breeds.
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Hereditary diseases in dogs
We divide hereditary diseases into dominant and recessive inheritance. Dominant inheritance refers to diseases that always manifest if the dog has the gene. In recessive inheritance, the dog is a carrier of the diseased gene without developing the disease itself.
Both parents pass on a gene to their offspring. In dominant inheritance, the dog will always develop the disease regardless of whether it has received the diseased gene from only one or both parents. In recessive inheritance, the dog must receive the diseased gene from both parents to develop the disease.
Remember that a genetic test alone cannot replace an eye examination for dogs. We can take the sample for a DNA test at our clinic. The form can be ordered on the NKK website.
Information about genetic testing from laboratories
Common European rules for eye lighting
