We are very excited to announce that earlier this week we launched not one, but TWO new tests for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in two different breeds – the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR) and the Miniature Schnauzer (MS). Continue reading
Our currently funded CGC Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE) project has now entered its final stage as we move towards the end of this year. As always, a huge thank you to everyone who has sent us swabs or completed our epilepsy questionnaire, especially those of you who have organised big batches of cheek swab DNA collection kits! Continue reading
In March of 2025 Canine Genetic Testing launched a DNA test for a variant associated with Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Keeshonds. And now our peer-reviewed paper, describing details of the mutation, has been published in the journal Animal Genetics (1).
Wade CM, Burmeister LM, Skelly BJ, McLaughlin B, Pettitt L, Atwater DZ, Tallmadge RL, Lejeune M, Lindblad-Toh K, Mellersh CS. Autosomal dominant primary hyperparathyroidism in the Keeshond dog breed is strongly associated with a missense variant in sirtuin-6. Anim Genet. 2025 Dec;56(6):e70056. doi: 10.1111/age.70056.
Canine inherited eye diseases (IEDs) affect over 160 breeds of dog and are caused by variants located in over 60 different genes. Almost half of these genes cause inherited and progressive disorders specific to the retina, a group of diseases known as progressive retinal atrophies, or PRAs. Continue reading
The Canine Genetics Centre is proud to be a part of one of the UK’s leading Veterinary schools. Cambridge Vet school not only matriculates incredible vets year upon year, but they are also at the forefront of some of the best research that is currently happening in Veterinary science. Earlier this week, we were honoured to share some of our own research and to learn about other inspiring projects during the department’s research afternoon. Continue reading
Our research project dedicated to inherited eye disease (IED) in dogs, CRIEDD, often sees us work in close collaboration with veterinary ophthalmologists. When they see novel diseases, or a disease emerging in a new breed of dog, they will send us DNA samples so that we can work together to identify the genetic cause. Continue reading
In November of 2024 we shared details of research that the Canine Genetics Centre had started, in collaboration with dog breeders and clinicians in Australia, to identify the genetic cause of an apparently novel inherited neurological disorder in Welsh Springer Spaniels. Continue reading
Geneticists from the Canine Genetics Centre, along with veterinary cardiologists and neurologists from the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital, are becoming increasingly concerned by reports of sudden, unexpected deaths in young Labrador Retrievers – often occurring during rest or sleep – in dogs that appeared otherwise healthy. Continue reading
The Canine Genetics Centre is excited to be resuming its research into primary glaucoma in dogs. This article explains what glaucoma is, and what we are doing to resume our investigations of this painful and blinding canine disease. Continue reading
Since our last update, the CGC Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE) project has had a great response to our call for samples. A huge thank you to everyone who has sent us swabs or completed our epilepsy questionnaire, especially those of you who have been organising big batches of cheek swab DNA collection kits! Continue reading
