NCL TEST - Swab not blood method « Thread Started on Apr 24, 2009, 6:39pm »
Hi All...
Thought I would post these links to the University of Missouri / OFA websites and to VETGEN as peeps had been requesting it from me... thought I had posted it before but appears not!
In the USA these organisations now offer NCL dna testing via swab method. Basically it eliminates the need of taking your dog to the vet and paying for blood extraction as well as the test fee with the previous USA & the German blood test methods, and all the hassle of shipping live blood for testing which you need to do for the old USA & the Germany Methods.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI / OFA The Uof M were the organisation who first identified the gene involved re american bulldogs they now offer a swab kit method for testing for the NCL Gene.
The OFA now offers DNA based disease testing through an exclusive license arrangement with the University of Missouri. Tests are ordered online through the secure area of the OFA website. Payment is accepted online by credit card (MasterCard and VISA). The OFA administers all order handling. Upon receipt of an order, the OFA will send out the test kit which will include an FTA card for DNA sample collection, along with sample collection instructions. Using the FTA card technology, owners can safely collect DNA samples at home. The collection process is non-invasive, and no veterinary appointment is necessary.
Samples are then sent to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine where the samples will be processed by the Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory. Results will be forwarded to the OFA, and the OFA will issue the resulting report to the owner.
The fee for each test is $65 and includes the test kit, laboratory processing, and subsequent registration in the OFA databases (if required).
VETGEN - For a fee which is currently $75 per dog with discounts per dog tested the more you have tested at the same time, it works out cheaper than the blood method all in too. You can order online or give them a call... although we haven't used them ourselves, I have spoken to them on the phone and they confirmed the following: - They accept orders from the UK - They ship you the swab kit from a distributor in the uk so you receive the swabs quicker than shipping from the USA. - You send the used swab kit samples back to VetGen in the USA (and by the quickest "air mail" method available) - They said once they receive these swab kit samples they should have a result back to you within 2 weeks.
Anyway here are the links so you can read further at your leisure...