Dog Genetic Health

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Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs Explained

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Embark’s mission is to end preventable disease in dogs. As part of this work, we are committed to providing expert guidance to breeders about genetic health conditions and how the risk of developing them can differ between variants and among breeds. One such group of conditions is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Embark currently tests for...

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Go to "Is Your Dog at Risk for DM? What the Latest Genetic Research Can Tell You" article
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Is Your Dog at Risk for DM? What the Latest Genetic Research Can Tell You

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What is Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)? A disease of mature dogs, Degenerative Myelopathy(DM) is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the spinal cord that causes muscle wasting and gait abnormalities. Affected dogs do not usually show signs until they are at least 8 years old when the nerves that supply the hind limbs begin degenerating.  At first,...

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Go to "Genetic Health Testing for Labrador Retrievers" article
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Genetic Health Testing for Labrador Retrievers

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Embark for Breeders offers 20 breed-specific genetic health tests for the Labrador Retriever among the genetic health conditions Embark tests for. Breeders can easily share breed-specific DNA test results on parents or puppies with the one-page DNA Health Summary report with Embark test results.   Genetic health testing is an integral part of a sound dog...

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All Dog Genetic Health articles

Go to "Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs" article
Health Conditions

Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

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Knowing how to recognize common signs of mast cell tumors in dogs can help you catch them early. At Embark, we’re committed to improving the life and longevity of all dogs by providing our customers with information about their dogs’ health.  With that goal in mind, we now offer a genetic risk estimate that indicates...

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Go to "Preparing Your Dog for Hearing Loss" article
Health Conditions

Preparing Your Dog for Hearing Loss

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Congenital deafness is an inherited form of hearing loss in dogs. There are many types of congenital deafness in dogs, affecting at least 100 different breeds. One such form of hearing loss is early-onset adult deafness (EOAD) in Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. (In fact, Embark scientists discovered this variant, in partnership with the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club...

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Go to "Preparing Your Dog for Vision Loss" article
Health Conditions

Preparing Your Dog for Vision Loss

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There are many causes of vision loss in dogs. As dogs get older, it’s natural for their eyesight to be less sharp than it used to be. Senior dogs are at increased risk of vision loss from various age-related conditions, including macular degeneration, iris atrophy, and geriatric cataracts.  The good news is that dogs generally...

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Go to "How to Talk to Your Veterinarian About Your Dog’s MDR1 Result" article
Health Conditions

How to Talk to Your Veterinarian About Your Dog’s MDR1 Result

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By knowing your dog’s genetic risk for MDR1 drug sensitivity, you and your veterinarian can take steps to make sure that your dog doesn’t have a bad reaction to certain drugs. What is MDR1? Multidrug Resistance 1 (MDR1) is caused by a genetic variant in the ABCB1 gene. Dogs who have this genetic variant are...

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Go to "Canine Eye Screenings Explained" article
Health Conditions

Canine Eye Screenings Explained

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Genetics is part of the puzzle when it comes to canine health testing prior to breeding. An eye screening exam is one of the most common physical (phenotype) health tests for dogs. Responsible breeders aiming to produce healthy puppies will conduct annual eye testing on both parents prior to breeding. Testing both parents is a...

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Go to "Fanny’s Unique Story About Vitiligo in Dogs" article
Health Conditions

Fanny’s Unique Story About Vitiligo in Dogs

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Fanny (@fannyasfresh) is a Bernese Mountain Dog who tells a unique story about vitiligo in dogs. Fanny might have a rare condition called vitiligo. Her owner shared on Instagram that Fanny’s black fur started changing color when she was 3 or 4 years old. The color change started on her head, gradually at first, and...

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Go to "All About Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds" article
Dog Breeds

All About Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

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Dogs make wonderful companions, but they can cause allergic reactions in some pet parents. Being allergic to a pet can lead to symptoms that range from mild to severe or life-threatening. It can also make bonding difficult. While some people take allergy medications to reduce their dog allergy symptoms, others don’t find relief and must...

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Go to "Canine Ichthyosis: What Can Genetic Testing Tell Us?" article
Health Conditions

Canine Ichthyosis: What Can Genetic Testing Tell Us?

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Does your dog have serious dandruff, excessive scaling, or cracked skin? It may be due to a skin disorder called canine ichthyosis. While ichthyosis in dogs may be cosmetically unappealing, it may also cause considerable discomfort and lead to other systemic concerns. There is considerable ongoing research into skin disorders with both known and unknown...

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Go to "Coagulopathies: Why DNA test your dog" article
Health Conditions

Coagulopathies: Why DNA test your dog

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Bleeding abnormalities  (coagulopathies) in dogs can occur for a variety of reasons: Infection, organ failure, toxins—or they can be caused by an inherited abnormality in the coagulation pathway. Although some breeds are known to have a higher incidence of blood disorders, coagulopathies can affect breeds of all types and sizes—from Doberman Pinschers to Shetland Sheepdogs,...

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Go to "Best of Breed Minute: Australian Shepherd" article
Dog Breeds

Best of Breed Minute: Australian Shepherd

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In the Westminster Best of Breed Minute series sponsored by Embark, Gail Miller Bisher tells us what judges are looking for when examining the Australian Shepherd. Learn about the Australian Shepherd Since 1994 the Australian Shepherd has been a popular breed at Westminster. Join The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and Embark to learn something...

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Go to "Your Dog Has a High Chance of Low ALT. Should You Worry?" article
Health Conditions

Your Dog Has a High Chance of Low ALT. Should You Worry?

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Every Embark test screens ALT activity (via a GPT genetic variant)– one of several values your veterinarian measures on routine blood work to gauge your dog’s liver health. To best leverage your dog’s GPT result in his or her health care, it’s important to understand how your vet can use this clinical tool to establish a baseline...

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Go to "What is a Village Dog?" article
Dog Breeds

What is a Village Dog?

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Did you know that most of the dogs in the world are not descended from modern breeds? There are about a billion dogs in the world, but only a fraction of them are purebred or mixed-breed pets. The majority of dogs in the world are a unique kind of dog, called village dogs.  Here, with...

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Dog Genetic Health

Common genetic diseases can affect all dogs, while specific genetic conditions can only be found in certain breeds. Our guide to dog breeds can inform owners about which DNA tests Embark tests for that are important based on breed.

Learn more with our resources that explain the symptoms and signs, and how DNA testing can confirm or rule out if your dog is at risk for genetic diseases. Some of the most common genetic conditions include Canine Ichthyosis, PRA, IVDD, and DM.