Genetic tests for cats
- Importance of testing
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- Inherited diseases
- Inherited traits
- Infectious diseases
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- Collection instructions
Domestication of cats occurred in the Near East approximately 9,000 – 10,000 years ago. Cats spread to virtually all parts of the Old World, probably along trade routes between ancient civilizations. In spite of their rapid spread, cats have remained amazingly similar to their wild felid ancestors (Felis silvestris subspp.) in form and function.
The small subset of domestic cats that have undergone intensive artificial selection is the pedigreed (purebred) cats, which were bred to maintain or alter purely aesthetic traits. Of the 41 breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), sixteen “natural breeds” are thought to be regional variants that predate the cat fancy. The remaining breeds were developed over the last 50 years and are usually defined as simple, single-gene variants derived from the natural cats breeds.
Populations lacking genetic diversity often have significant problems and are at greater risk from disease and other changes in their environment. The conclusion is that genetic diversity among cats is desirable for the health and long-term survival of a population. The challenge for cats breeders is to restrict the variability of the genes that make the breed distinctive without sacrificing the variability/diversity that is necessary for good health and long-term survival of the breed. Genetic tests for cats are a very helpful tool in that challenge.
References:

When browsing cat breeds, please use official FIFe/TICA/CFA/WCF classification.
Alpha-Mannosidosis Persian Cat Type (AMD)
54.90 € inc. VatBirman Hypotrichosis & Short Life Expectancy (CHSLE)
54.90 € inc. VatBurmese Head Defect (BHD)
74.90 € inc. VatBurmese Hypokalemia (BHP)
39.90 € inc. VatCat Gangliosidosis 1 (GM1)
39.90 € inc. VatCat Gangliosidosis 2 (GM2)
39.90 € inc. VatCongenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS)
54.90 € inc. VatFeline Glycogen Storage Disease IV (GSD IV)
47.90 € inc. VatFeline Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII)
54.90 € inc. VatFeline Mucopolysaccharidosis VI Mild and Severe Form (MPS VI)
54.90 € inc. VatFeline Myotonia Congenita (MC)
54.90 € inc. VatFeline Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
32.90 € inc. VatFeline Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-rdAc)
37.90 € inc. VatFeline Progressive Retinal Atrophy (rdy-PRA)
54.90 € inc. VatFeline Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK)
45.90 € inc. VatHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Maine Coon Type (HCM)
37.90 € inc. VatHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Ragdoll Type (HCM)
37.90 € inc. VatPrimary Congenital Glaucoma (PCG)
59.90 € inc. VatScottish Fold Osteochondrodysplasia (Osteodystrophy)
54.90 € inc. VatSpinal Muscular Atrophy Maine Coon Type (SMA)
39.90 € inc. VatCat DNA Profiling
39.90 € inc. VatA Locus (Agouti) – Cat Coat Color
40.90 € inc. VatB locus (Brown) – Cat Coat Color
47.90 € inc. VatC Locus (Color/Burmese, Siamese, Albino) – Cat Coat Color
40.90 € inc. VatCat Blood Group – B Blood Type
39.90 € inc. VatD locus (Dilute) – Cat Coat Color
40.90 € inc. VatE locus (Extension/Amber) – Cat Coat Color
40.90 € inc. VatHairlessness in Cats
65.90 € inc. VatLong fur
61.90 € inc. VatRex (Devon curl)
65.90 € inc. VatW locus (Dominant White and White Spotting) – Cat Coat Color
54.90 € inc. VatCat DNA Profiling
39.90 € inc. VatBorrellia burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
48.60 € inc. VatCats, Cattle, Dogs, Horse, Infectious diseases cats, Infectious diseases cattle, Infectious diseases dogs, Infectious diseases horse
Chlamydophila felis
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Infectious diseases cats
Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Infectious diseases cats
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV)
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Infectious diseases cats
Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1)
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Infectious diseases cats
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Infectious diseases cats
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Infectious diseases cats
Feline Parvovirus (FPV)
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Infectious diseases cats
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Cattle, Dogs, Horse, Infectious diseases cats, Infectious diseases cattle, Infectious diseases dogs, Infectious diseases horse
Toxoplasma gondii
38.90 € inc. VatCats, Infectious diseases cats
Cat DNA Profiling
39.90 € inc. VatBirman – PKD + MPS VI S+M + CHSLE + BBG
119.90 € inc. VatBurmese – BHD + BHP +GM2
99.90 € inc. VatDevon Rex + Sphynx – BHP + CMS
64.90 € inc. VatMaine Coon – PK Def + HCM +SMA
84.90 € inc. VatNorwegian Forest Cat – GSD IV + PK Def
64.90 € inc. VatPANEL CAT COAT L – All breeds – 4 Coat Color Loci
97.90 € inc. VatPANEL CAT COAT M – All breeds – 3 Coat Color Loci
78.90 € inc. VatPANEL CAT COAT S – All breeds – 2 Coat Color Loci
58.90 € inc. VatPANEL CAT COAT XL – All breeds – 5 Coat Color Loci
114.90 € inc. VatPANEL M – All breeds – FeLV + FIV + FCoV
89.90 € inc. VatPANEL S – All breeds – FeLV + FIV
65.90 € inc. VatPersian – PKD + AMD + BBG
87.90 € inc. VatCat DNA Profiling
39.90 € inc. VatCat DNA Profiling
39.90 € inc. VatDNA Banking / Storage
22.90 € inc. VatBirds, Cats, Cattle, Dogs, Horse, Others birds, Others cats, others cattle, Others dogs, Others horse
Felid Sex Identification
29.90 € inc. VatFeline Infectious Peritonitis Resistance (FIPR) SENSOR
79.90 € inc. VatCollection instructions – buccal swab
Downoad collection instructions in PDF
Collection of buccal sample is the most critical element to obtaining the best sample for DNA testing. It is very important that you follow this simple instructions to avoid foreign DNA sample contamination and to help minimize the possibility of failure. We strongly recommend reading the collection instructions prior to swabbing your pet.
Preparations
- For several hours prior to swabbing, the pet should be isolated from toys or other objects that are shared by multiple dogs. Inspect your dog’s mouth to ensure there are no food particles or other material and rinse your dog’s mouth if needed. Do not provide food or drink during this period.
- Be careful to avoid touching the inside of your pet’s mouth with your own hands.
- When sampling multiple pets, first finish completely the sample collection from the first animal before you continue with the other one. Wash hands between pets or change your gloves if you are using them.
- IMPORTANT: Once a swab has been removed from its sterile packaging, never touch the swab to anything other than the inside of the pet’s mouth.
- ADVICE: If possible, cubs should be weaned prior to obtaining samples due to potential contamination from the mother’s cells. If the cubs have not been weaned, separate the cubs from the mother for at least two hours prior to swabbing and rinse each cub’s mouth with water. Do not provide food for the cubs, but do provide plenty of water to drink.
- Be prepared to ship the samples on the same day in which you collect the samples.
Sampling
- Use two collection swabs, one for each cheek.
- Open the swab being careful not to let anything touch the tip of the swab, remove a sterile swab from its protective packaging.
- Insert the swab between your pet’s cheek and gum. Use gentle outward pressure in a back-and-forth motion on the inside of your pet’s cheek. Rotate the swab for at least 20 seconds.
- Air dry the brush for several minutes until completely dry. You can swing the swab gently but do not blow into it!
- Insert the swab into enclosed envelope.
- Repeat steps 2 to 5 with the second swab on the other cheek. Insert the swab in the same envelope.
- Seal the envelope and fill in the information on the outside of the envelope.
- Samples should be stored at 4°C until shipping. Note that the testing is more successful if the sample is fresh.
Sending the sample
- Download the Order form by going to download section on our website. Fill in the form electronically or manually, print and sign the form. If you are filling the form manually make sure that all the information is written clearly.
- Insert the Order form and envelope with collection swabs into new envelope and send it to our address:
AnimaLabs
Samoborska cesta 217/A
10090 ZAGREB
CROATIA
Blood collection instructions
Download collection instructions in PDF
Blood sampling is the most critical element to obtaining the best sample for DNA and pathogen testing. It is very important that you follow this simple instructions to avoid sample contamination and to help minimize the possibility of failure.
IMPORTANT: blood sampling should be performed by a veterinarian.
We strongly recommend reading the collection instructions prior to taking the sample.
Preparations
- When sampling multiple animals, first finish completely the sample collection from the first animal before you continue with the other one. Wash your hands and change the gloves between samplings.
- Be ready to send the samples on the day of collection.
Sampling
- Use a new sterile needle for each animal.
- Collect 0.5 to 1mL of non-coagulated blood into a test tube containing EDTA.
- Gently mix the blood with anticoagulant by inverting the tube several times.
- NOTE: coagulated blood is inappropriate for the analysis.
- Insert the tube into an envelope and seal it well.
- Write sample identification data on the envelope.
- Samples should be stored at 4°C until shipping. Note that the testing is more successful if the sample is fresh.
Sending the sample
- Download the Order form by going to download section on our website. Fill in the form electronically or manually, print and sign the form. If you are filling the form manually make sure that all the information is written clearly.
- Insert the Order form and envelope with blood sample into a bubble envelope to prevent tube damage during transport and send it to our address:
AnimaLabs
Samoborska cesta 217/A
10090 ZAGREB
CROATIA