We are taking an Easter break between the Easter and ANZAC day long weekends. You can still place orders now, and also while we are on break. If we we receive but don't finish testing your samples before Easter they will be at the top of our list when we re-open.
Hereditary cataract (Australian Shepherd type) (HC)
Summary
Cataract is an eye disease characterised by clouding of the eyes' lens, leading to impaired vision and then blindness. This form of inherited cataract is found in both eyes simultaneously and has a variable age of onset.
Cataracts are one of the most common health issues for Australian Shepherds.
We classify this test as a marker because while positive finding is associated with increased risk of cataract, it does not guarantee that your dog will have eye problems.
Dogs that test positive for this variant of the HSF4 gene (dogs with a HC n or HC HC genotype) are at significantly higher risk of developing cataracts than dogs that test negative. We hope that they will be lucky and never develop a problem, but its worth letting your vet know so that your dogs' eye health can be monitored.
Gene or region and technical reference
Gene: HSF4 (marker). Reference: Mellersh et al. (2006)
Reported alleles
n. Test developed using artificial DNA, animal controls.
HC. Test developed using artificial DNA .
Panels: groups of tests that are often ordered together
This test is not in any panels.
