The Cost of Testing and Turnaround Time

The cost for the DNA PKD test at UC Davis is $60 US whch includes free test swabs. DNA fingerprinting is included with PKD test. Results should take about two weeks from receipt of the test.

Other labs will have their own turn around time and may or may not provide the testing swabs gree of charge.

Accuracy of The Test

While it is anticipated that the PKD DNA test performed at UC Davis should be 100% accurate, there may have failures due to poor sampling. The accuracy of the test may also vary from lab to lab depending on their experience and quality control.

The Minimum Age For Testing

Testing can be performed on kittens as young as 8 weeks of age. There is no maximum age limit.

Taking A DNA Sample From Your Cat

Taking a sample of your cat's DNA is simple and painless. In fact, if you like to watch the medical investigation/Law & Order TV shows, you probably have already seen DNA collected. It is a simple procedure you can perform yourself at home - no veterinarian needed. It's simple - a sterile swab is used to collect cells from the inside of the cheek.

Materials Need To Take a DNA Sample For Testing

All that is required to take your cat's sample of DNA is a a cheek swab and a form with your cat's information. The PKD test kit is available through the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory by calling 530-752-2211.

The test swab is also available from your veterinarian or your personal doctor. The Cervical/cytology swabs are the same as used for a PAP smear by your own physician.

NOTE: A sample taken with a Q-tip will not work!

The test submission form is available for download from the UC Davis website at http://faculty.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lalyons/Sites/Swabform.xls

If you are sending a sample to a different lab than UC Davis, be sure to obtain their recomended dampling kit and forms. The UC Davis forms and kits are only for samples sent to UC Davis for testing.

Sampling Procedure

1. Wait at least 15 minutes if the cat has recently eaten.
2. Open the testing kit and remove the swab.
3. At the end opposite to the brush, open just the end of the packaging sleeve.
4. DO NOT TOUCH THE BRUSH!
5. Hold the brush, half-way down the handle, in the hand that you use for writing.
6. Hold the cat by the scruff with the other hand and place the brush between the cheek and gums.
7. The swab/brush is then twirled or brushed for several (10) seconds, while making good contact with the cheek and gums.
8. The sampling should be gentle and should not make the cat's mouth sensitive or bleed.
9. Let the brush air dry for 30 seconds.
10. DO NOT BLOW ON THE BRUSH!
11. Place the brush back in the packaging sleeve and seal the sleeve with tape or a staple.
12. The seal should NOT be air tight. A wet brush in an airtight sleeve may grow bacteria and destroy the sample.
13. Take two samples per cat & label the packaging sleeve. Label with the cat's name & your last name.
14. Fill out the swab form.
15. Swabs and forms should be stored at room temperature until mailed to the testing lab by regular mail.

The cheek swabs used are the same as those used for PAP smears in women, therefore the package includes a warning that pertains to pregnant women, not cats. The swabs are safe to use with for pregnant cats.

Do not sample nursing kittens. They will have the cells of the mother in their mouth.

Mailing The Sample

The samples may be sent via regular mail or overnight courier. No refrigeration is needed.

Mail the swabs and forms to:

Cat Genetics / Lyons' Laboratory
VM:PHR, 1114 Tupper Hall
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue,
Davis, CA 95616-8744
USA

As of January 2005, the DNA PKD test is available for Persians, Exotics, Himalayans, and Persian out-crosses only.

Free Testing For Breeds Other Than Persians, Exotics, Himalayans or Their Outcrosses

Dr. Leslie Lyons is collecting DNA data on PKD positive cats of other breeds. She will provide PKD DNA testing free of charge for any ultrasound scanned positive cats of breeds other than Persians, Exotics or Himalayans or their outcrosses.

Customer Service AT UC Davis

Laboratories throughout the world have shown interest in offering the DNA/PKD test. They include:

Laboratory Name	Location	Website
USA
Veterinary Genetics Laboratory	Davis, CA	http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/
OptiGen	Ithaca, NY	http://www.optigen.com/
VetGen	Ann Arbor, MI	http://www.vetgen.com/
DNA Diagnostics, Inc., Shelterwood Laboratories	Timpson, TX	http://www.dnadiagnostics.com/
PennGen	Philadelphia, PA	http://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/centers/penngen/
Canada
Bova-Can Laboratories	Saskatoon, Canada	http://www.src.sk.ca/html/labs_facilities/bova_labs/index.cfm
United Kingdom
Animal Health Trust	Suffolk, England	http://www.aht.org.uk
Royal Veterinary College	London, England	http://www.rvc.ac.uk/
Weatherbys Ireland Laboratory	Kildare, Ireland	http://www.weatherbys-group.com/main.htm
Continetal Europe
Genindexe	La Rochelle, France	http://www.genindexe.com/html/web.php
Labogena	Jouy en Josas, France	http://www.cg78.fr/techno_indus/ yvelines_confluences/labogena.html
Arsia asbl	Mons, Belgium	http://www.arsia.be/
Clinical Laboratory, University of Zurich	Zurich, Switzerland	http://www.vetgen.com/
Institute for Genetics, Nutrition and Husbandry of Companion Animals	Bern, Switzerland	http://www.vetmed.unibe.ch/itz/
Istituto di Zootecnica -Vetogene Lab	Milano, Italy	Phone: 0039 02 50 18048
Laboratorio Gruppi Sanguigni Via Bergamo	Cremona, Italy	Phone: 0039 09 71 59500
Medigenomix GmbH	Germany	http://www.medigenomix.de/
Research Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition	Herceghalom, Hungary	http://www.atk.hu/
Statny plemenarsky ustav SR	Luzianky, Slovenska Republika	Jozef Trandzik: jozeftrandzik@spusr.sk
VHL	Wageninger, The Netherlands	http://www.vhlgenetics.com
Scandinavia
Dynamic Code AB	Linköping, Sweden	www.dynamiccode.se
Fabalab	Vantaa, Finland	http://www.faba.fi/fabalab/
Finnzymes Diagnostics	Espo, Finland	http://www.finnzymes.fi
Oy Triniini Company, (Genlab Niini)	Helsinki, Finland	Phone: 358 0 737 823
South Africa
Veterinary Genetics Laboratory	Pretoria, South Africa	http://www.arc.agric.za/institutes/ovi/main/intro.htm
Australia
Australian Equine Genetics Research Centre	St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia	http://www.aegrc.uq.edu.au
Japan
Livestock Improvement Association of Japan, Inc., Maebashi Institute of Animal Science	Gunma, Japan	http://liaj.or.jp/giken
Korea
Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Korea Racing Association	Korea	Phone: 0082-2-509-1933

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Information Courtesy of
Leslie A. Lyons, PhD, UC Davis
Email:
felinegenome@ucdavis.edu
Website:
http://faculty.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lalyons/Sites/LyonsDenHomepage.htm