List of Services

For many years geneticists and breeders have been aware of several "loci" that are responsible for the color patterns we see in dogs and other mammals. Each of these loci are known to be responsible for one or more traits either independently, or in conjunction with another locus.
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While it is not a color trait, the length of a dog's coat is of interest to many. It has recently been demonstrated that in many breeds, the gene FGF5 is responsible for whether a dog has a long coat (rough or fluffy), or a short (smooth) coat. The test Vetgen offers detects the presence or absence of the recessive allele that results in long coats when present in two copies, and as such allows dogs with short coats that carry a hidden "long coat" allele to be detected.
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There is great news for all Bedlington breeders and owners in the fight to eliminate copper toxicosis from the breed. Thanks to the hard work of many investigators, a better picture of the causes of the disease is beginning to appear.
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Canine copper toxicosis ("CT") is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper accumulation which results in severe liver disease in several dog breeds. Unless specific anti-copper treatment is instituted, most affected dogs die at three to seven years of age. CT is, in particular, a severe problem in Bedlington Terriers.
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Cystinuria in the Newfoundland dog is indicated by the presence of cystine stones in the kidney, bladder or ureter. Failure by the kidneys to reabsorb amino acids results in the formation of these stones.
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Factor VII deficiency is a generally mild bleeding disorder.
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A young-adult onset NCL occurs in American Bulldogs and a mutation in the cathepsin D gene (CSTD) responsible for NCL in this breed has been identified(Awano et al 2006)
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Canine Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency is an autosomal recessive genetic disease which prevents the metabolism of glucose into available energy resulting in exercise intolerance and muscle disease in Cocker Spaniels. PFK deficiency also destroys red blood cells in affected dogs, leading to anemia. The PFK deficiency gene frequency in Cockers is estimated to be 10% of the population.
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Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency in Basenji dogs is an inherited lack of an enzyme (pyruvate kinase) in the red blood cells of an affected animal. This enzyme is required for red blood cells to survive for a normal length of time in the blood of the animal, and when it is missing, the red blood cells break down and are destroyed prematurely.
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Irish setter progressive retinal atrophy is an inherited disease that leads to blindness in affected dogs. It is inherited in a simple autosomal recessive fashion.
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von Willebrand’s disease has been identified in a wide range of canine breeds, and is the most common of the inherited bleeding disorders.  As with humans, there are three classifications of this disease, Types I, II, and III.  These are based on the concentration and nature of plasma vWF.
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VetGen scientists, in collaboration with the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, proudly announce the discovery of the mutation that causes Type I von Willebrand's Disease (vWD) and the offering of a DNA test to detect vWD in the above breeds.
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Type II vWD is characterized by abnormal vWF, as opposed to low levels of normal vWF. This type is not as common as Type I, but a mutation causing it has been identified in some pointing breeds such as Deutch Drahthaar.
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Canine von Willebrand's disease (vWD) in Scotties is an autosomal recessive genetic disease with a gene frequency estimated to be 15% of the Scottie population. vWD also affects numerous other breeds of dogs.
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In addition to offering genetic testing services for the detection of color genes and of targeted canine diseases, VetGen offers other valuable services. These services, DNA Profiling, DNA Parentage and DNA Storage, can be ordered at the time a genetic test is requested, or at any other time, independent of other tests.
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