Genetic traits are included in the Starter and Advanced tests:
- Dogs: coat colour and pattern, such as chocolate, black, recessive red, dilution, dark mask, harlequin or piebald; coat type, such as long or curly hair; morphology, such as short tail, short muzzle, ear position or body size; adaptation to high altitude and drug sensitivity (MDR1).
- Cats: coat colour and pattern, such as colourpoint, chocolate, cinnamon, dilution, tabby or ticked; coat type, such as long, curly or hairless (hypotrichosis); morphology, such as short tail or polydactyly, and blood group (AB system).
Blood group information in cats is useful for breeding planning: if a female cat with blood group B gives birth to kittens with blood group A or AB, the kittens may become seriously ill after nursing colostrum during their first hours of life (neonatal isoerythrolysis). The test estimates blood group based on known variants of the CMAH gene and, unlike blood typing, can identify carriers of blood group B. However, not all variants are known, so it is advisable to confirm the blood groups of both the female and male cats with a blood test before mating. Before a transfusion, your vet will always carry out their own compatibility tests.
Explore all the genetic traits for dogs and genetic traits for cats.