Genetics Service

Genetics Service

Welcome to the Genetics Service at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, where assistance is offered to help companion animal owners interested in discovering more about inherited diseases, especially in their purebred dogs. Telephone consultations and written reports are available to assist veterinarians, breed clubs and clients with the diagnosis of inherited diseases. There are now more than 300 DNA tests available in dogs to help eliminate inherited diseases. COMING SOON - counseling request forms.

If you are looking for direct to consumer genetic testing, the School of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) provides animal parentage verification, identification, forensics services, and genetic diagnostics. VGL is internationally recognized as a pioneer and expert in DNA-based animal testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where can I get information about lethal white foal syndrome testing?
• That test is performed at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL).
• I have a male calico cat. I heard that they are rare. Is anyone doing research on Calico cats?
• Male calicos are rare. The calico coat color is caused by a coat color gene on the X chromosome. Since females have 2 copies of the X chromosome and males only have one, in females one X is inactivated. In the case of calicos, one X has the black gene and the other has the orange gene. Since the Xs are randomly inactivated, the cat ends up with black and orange patches. Male cats with calico coloring have 2 X chromosomes and one Y chromosome. This is very uncommon and can lead to an intersex phenotype. These individuals would most likely be sterile.
• Can DNA testing determine who the sire of my litter of puppies was?
• Yes. The VGL offers parentage verification. Litters with 2 sires can be registered as long as the parentage of each puppy is verified by DNA analysis.
• I have questions about a condition that I am seeing in my kennel. I would like to know if it is inherited? Do I have to come in for an appointment?
• Phone consults are available through the Genetics Service.

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