Why is it good to test for genetic screening in dogs and cats

Genetic screening is a method that uses DNA analysis to detect the presence of mutations. These can be associated with health problems, adverse reactions to treatment, or, conversely, useful information for breeding and prevention. The screening contains 298 markers specific for different dog breeds or 98 markers specific for cat breeds. The markers include causal mutations of hereditary diseases, linkage mutations of hereditary diseases and markers of appearance traits. Genetic screening brings a number of advantages both for the animals themselves and for breeders and owners.

Early diagnosis, disease prevention, personalized veterinary care

Many genetic disorders only become apparent in adulthood or even old age. Genetic screening allows us to detect risks even before the first symptoms appear. This allows the veterinarian to tailor care to the individual – setting up appropriate prevention, recommending a specific diet or lifestyle modification, monitoring health status and preventing complications. Some genetic mutations can also affect the animal's response to treatment or anaesthesia. Testing can provide veterinarians with valuable information for selecting safe and effective medications or setting up a vaccination, surgery, or long-term therapy schedule.

Responsible breeding and a healthy population

In many breed clubs, genetic testing is already part of the mandatory standards. By identifying carriers of undesirable mutations, breeding pairs can be responsibly selected, or breeding conditions can be appropriately set to reduce the risk of the birth of sick puppies or kittens, prevent the accumulation of hereditary diseases in the entire population, and at the same time maintain the genetic diversity of the breed.

For many breeds, there are genetic tests for specific mutations that are specific to the breed. Screening, on the other hand, covers a wide range of mutations, including those that are not yet typical for the breed. Genetic screening is therefore of great importance, not only for breeds for which specific tests do not yet exist.

Some mutations arose long before the division into individual breeds, and therefore they can appear even in races in which we would not expect them. In the history of breeding, hidden mutations have also spread during the crossing of breeds, which only became apparent when phenotypic traits were strengthened by inbreeding. Seemingly unrelated breeds can therefore carry the same mutation, and we can detect it thanks to screening.

Conclusion

Comprehensive screening provides a more comprehensive and safer picture than targeted testing alone. It is a practical tool that combines prevention, responsible breeding and targeted veterinary care. For breeds with a higher number of mutations, screening provides a comprehensive overview at a more affordable price, and for crossbreeds it is even the only way to get a real overview of health risks.