When I signed my contract to purchase Phoenix, I noticed there was no HCM DNA language in it and asked the breeder if she had tested the parents for this genetic defect. She said it was interesting I asked this cuz she had just sent out the testing to be done in a lab. A few weeks have passed and she said the labs are very backed up and therefore no results yet.
Any thoughts on this? It is normal for the HCM DNA genetic tests to take so long? She then said if no results were given as the time neared for me to adopt Phoenix, I could pay her $20 for his testing so by the adoption date I should know his results. I wonder why his tests would go thru more quickly?
Maybe I should not be worried about this genetic defect at all?
All breeding Ragdolls should be DNA tested to be clear of both the Ragdoll and Maine Coon HCM mutations BEFORE they are bred.
I did my testing like 6 weeks ago and they still have not come back. If she's using DNA diagnostics, the lab really is backed up and its taking a very long time for the results to come back.
Be aware that I do not know any lab that charges only $20. The best labs are Dr Meurs' at Washington State University (she discovered both mutations) and the lab Dr. Lyons uses at UC Davis (she is a feline geneticist and discovered many feline DNA markers). You can use a regular cotton swab to get samples to be tested by UC Davis. If you have access to the kitten, I would recommend you get the sample yourself and have it tested there for both mutations before accepting him.
http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/cat/HCM.php
UCDavis is probably the fastest service you'll get, your results will be back within a week or two. I think they charge like $60.
WSU is the 2nd fastest results, they also charge $60 per test
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/felineTests.aspx
DNA Diagnostics is only $45 but they are slow, as I said, its been 6 weeks and my results are still not back. My testing was submitted before they were bred, and I was told that my results would be back within 3-4 weeks at a maximum, but they have not gotten back yet.
This is a common complaint with Catgenes. As I understand it, they require a certain number of tests before they will do a test run. It may take some time to get that number of samples.
Dr. Meurs' lab starts the test process early in the week. If samples get there after that, then they wait for the next week. So, one can have results in a week after receipt or it may take about two weeks. Dr. Meurs tests every sample twice, so there is an automatic recheck for every sample sent to her lab. Her test is also based on the techniques she used to discover the mutations in the first place. Her lab would be the lab of choice, but she accepts blood drawn by a vet or buccal swabs taken by an owner. (You can have the swabs sent to you by the lab.) For UC Davis, anyone can get q-tips and get the sample themselves to be sent in.
(04-28-2010 02:37 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]All breeding Ragdolls should be DNA tested to be clear of both the Ragdoll and Maine Coon HCM mutations BEFORE they are bred.
Thanks Jan. I understand about the HCM mutation testing being done before they are bred part, but am unclear why the Main Coon mutation testing is included with Ragdolls?
I would ask the breeder which lab she is using. UC Davis returns results in about 2 weeks for $45 and WSU within 1.5- 2 weeks for $60. Cat Genes takes longer and were about $40. Their recent customer service was not up to par. Their results are not easy to read and you need to look it up on their website to understand them.
I dont understand why she would charge you $20 to have her breeders tested?
(04-28-2010 02:47 PM)BlueSkyRagdolls Wrote: [ -> ]I did my testing like 6 weeks ago and they still have not come back. If she's using DNA diagnostics, the lab really is backed up and its taking a very long time for the results to come back.
Yes, thanks.....that is the place she's using for the diagnostics. Good to know you are having the same problem with delays. Well not exactly good, but hopefully you get my point.
(04-28-2010 02:57 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]Be aware that I do not know any lab that charges only $20. The best labs are Dr Meurs' at Washington State University (she discovered both mutations) and the lab Dr. Lyons uses at UC Davis (she is a feline geneticist and discovered many feline DNA markers). You can use a regular cotton swab to get samples to be tested by UC Davis. If you have access to the kitten, I would recommend you get the sample yourself and have it tested there for both mutations before accepting him. http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/cat/HCM.php
Hi Jan....thanks so much for this detailed response! That's interesting that you know of no lab that charges only $20. Not sure what to make of that, but perhaps she was doing me a favor by absorbing some of the cost......
not sure what this type of test actually costs??? No I don't have access to the kitten, as I won't be seeing him til the adoption day due to the great distance from me. Gosh....I sure hope he doesn't have this mutation in his DNA.
Is it very common....probably no known statistics on this I assume?
The mutation is deadly and fairly common. Of the Ragdolls tested by Dr. Meurs, a bit under 30 percent have the mutation. My concern about the $20 is that she is speaking of some other test - and the only reliable test is by a DNA lab. And, as I noted, every Ragdoll should have been tested before being bred. If both parents test as not having a mutation, then there is no need for a pet owner to test the kitten.
(04-28-2010 03:51 PM)Sunday Rose Wrote: [ -> ]am unclear why the Main Coon mutation testing is included with Ragdolls?
A few Ragdolls have been found by Dr. Meurs to carry the Maine Coon mutation. Therefore, breeders should test all breeding cats for both.