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Q. Is it okay to use the swab to obtain DNA from the mouth
of a pregnant cat?
A. Yes, we believe it should be safe to carefully swab
the mouth of a pregnant cat to obtain a DNA sample for testing.
The confusion about this is likely due to the label which shows
this cytology swab is also used by OB/GYNs on human patients (it
should not be used on pregnant humans for OB/GYN purposes).
Q. Is it better to submit DNA sample using a blood draw or
a cheek swab?
A. We have no preference at this time. A swab with
enough DNA sample works just as well in our testing process as
blood draw. When we first began this testing process, it seemed
that blood samples may have processed more easily than swab
samples. Today, our procedure has matured and we typically see
similar success for DNA extraction and testing process with both
swabs and blood samples.
Q. Why do some tests return results faster than others?
A. There are several reasons for one sample to process
faster to result than another sample. One reason is that some
DNA samples may not cooperate with our testing process as well
as other samples. It may take several tries before one sample
will finish the testing process through to clear result.
Meanwhile, the other samples received at the same time processed
easily. We do everything we can to achieve clear test results
from DNA submitted and sometimes this means extra effort is
required for certain samples.
Q. How old must a kitten be in order to be tested?
A. A kitten has its own unique DNA that could be
tested as early as one day after birth. The answer about timing
depends on how the DNA sample is obtained. If a blood sample is
desired, a veterinarian should be consulted to determine
appropriate age of the kitten to yield between 0.5ml to 1.0 ml
blood draw. If a cheek swab is desired, kitten should be weaned
and separated from the dam about 24 hours prior to swabbing. The
purpose in the separation from the dam is to reduce the
likelihood that any of the DNA from the dam’s teats is in the
kitten’s mouth. The mother’s milk is not a factor. The skin
cells from the dam’s teats are the concern. Also, food particles
on the cheek swab make it difficult to extract the DNA. The
kitten should also be separated from food for about 1 hour prior
to swabbing.
Q. What is the best way to submit DNA for kittens?
A. Swab or blood sample usually work equally well. The
answer to this question depends on the choice of the submitter.
Q. My kitten may have had mother’s milk in its mouth when
I swabbed it. Will this affect the test result for this kitten?
A. Mother’s milk is not a factor in cheek swabs from a
kitten except to perhaps make the DNA extraction slightly more
difficult. Mother’s milk does not have DNA in it, per se, and it
should therefore not contaminate the DNA sample from the kitten.
The skin cells from the dam’s teat(s) may present a DNA
contamination in the kitten’s mouth.
Q. My cat may have casually licked another cat before I
swabbed its mouth. Will this mess up the test result for this cat?
A. We feel it is unlikely for there to be enough DNA
from a casual incident like this to alter the test’s result.
There are no studies that support this sort of DNA transference.
Q. What are the most common errors that people make when
returning swabs for testing?
A. These are the five most common errors:
- “Not enough DNA to perform the test.”
Solution: Follow the instructions carefully and allow enough
turns of the brush to accumulate enough cells. Note: You do
not need to draw blood in order to get enough DNA on the
swab, although blood on the swab is not a problem.
- “Not allowing the swab to air dry before sealing
it into the sleeve.”
Solution: If there is a great deal of moisture on the swab
and it is sealed before drying, it may start to mold and
mold will decrease the amount of DNA on the swab that we can
work with.
- “Returning the swab into the sleeve with the brush
side sticking out.” Solution: Always put the brush
end of the swab inside first. The brush part is where the
DNA resides (hopefully) after rubbing it inside the cat’s
cheek. So the brush end should be the most carefully
protected part of the swab.
- “Not sealing the sleeve very well after the swab
has been returned.”
Solution: The swab should be returned into the paper-plastic
sleeve and sealed closed with tape. There should be a very
small gap or two when taping closed so the swab can get a
little bit of air as this prevents mold from growing. But it
is important to make sure the swab cannot be
cross-contaminated with elements outside the sleeve.
- “Accidentally mis-labeling the swab sleeve with
another cat’s name.”
Solution: Even the most careful submitter can mix up swabs.
If you’re doing multiple cats, try taking the swabbing
process slow and careful. Be very organized. Give yourself a
way to cross check which swab came from whom. If you swap
one of the swabs, we’ll likely know about it.
Careful consideration should be given to keeping each swab
pristine before and after swabbing. We cannot provide clear,
accurate results if the swabs were cross-contaminated prior to
our receipt.
Q. What are the most common errors that people make when
returning blood for testing?
A. There are four most common errors in blood
submissions:
- Not leaving enough room on the label for our lab to
write data.
- Not using a standard EDTA draw tube.
- Not providing enough blood (0.5ml to 1.0ml – preferably
closer to 1.0ml)
- Overnight-ing the shipment on ice: this is not necessary
because the fluid in the EDTA draw acts as a type of
extender. Shipment should be priority but not necessarily
overnight.
Q. Am I required to submit two DNA samples on the same cat
in order to get a test result?
A. One DNA sample is all that is required to perform
this test. Two samples with sufficient DNA may provide a cross
checked result.
Questions about the
science:
Q. Why should I have this test performed on my cat?
A. To determine whether or not your cat has the MyBPC
mutation.
Q. Should responsible pet owners have their cat(s) tested
for this mutation?
A. It is one of several tools available to responsible
pet owners for monitoring the health of their cat(s).
Q. Should responsible breeders use this test in their cat
breeding program?
A. This is one of many tools that a responsible
breeder may use to help improve their breeding program.
Q. How many generations should be tested?
A. The answer to this question is dependent upon the
breeder’s own choice. Our test provides a result. The number of
generations that should be tested will depend on both the test
result(s) and the breeder’s interpretation of this information.
Q. Do you advocate that all cats who test positive for
this mutation be removed from the gene pool?
A. At this time, positive cats account for about 1/3
of the number of cats tested. This is a significant percentage
to completely eliminate from the gene pool. Therefore, at this
time, we advocate the well considered breeding of an otherwise
breedworthy Positive Heterozygous cat to a breed-worthy Negative
cat with the goal of testing their progeny to move forward with
only Negative cats in the breeding program. We hope this test is
one of many important considerations in a responsible breeding
program.
Q. Will a Positive Heterozygous cat produce Negative
progeny if bred to a Negative cat?
A. In theory, a Positive Heterozygous cat has a 50/50
chance of producing Negative progeny if bred to a Negative cat.
For more information about this topic, please refer to a good
book on genetics.
Q. Are there other mutations that may cause HCM to
develop?
A. There are believed to be numerous mutations that
can cause HCM to develop in humans. We believe it may be the
same with cats. This means yes, we believe there may be other
mutations that may cause HCM to develop in cats.
Q. How many mutations may cause HCM to develop?
A. We do not have this information. We would like to
have this information. This is the reason we continue our
research.
Q. Do you track the heart health of all the cats you test
for the MyBPC mutation?
A. No. This is a task that would include too many
variables that are outside of our control. This means tracking
this information would not likely yield credible data.
Q. Does your laboratory still research to find other
genetic mutations that can cause HCM?
A. Yes. We have fulltime staff that work to find other
mutations that may cause HCM in Maine Coons and other cat
breeds.
Q. How soon will you find another mutation that may cause
HCM?
A. Not soon enough but we are giving it our best
effort.
Questions about interpreting the
results:
Q. What are the possible test results?
A. There are three (3) possible results:
- Negative for the mutation (normal/normal)
- Positive Heterozygous for the mutation (normal/mutant)
- Positive Homozygous for the mutation (mutant/mutant)
Q. What do the test results mean?
A. There are three (3) possible results and each has a
different meaning
- Negative result means your cat does not have this
mutation. It may or may not develop HCM in its lifetime but
it will not develop the form of HCM associated with this
mutation.
- Positive Heterozygous means your cat has one copy of
this mutation (instead of two). It may or may not develop
HCM in its lifetime but it is more likely to develop HCM
than a Negative cat.
- Positive Homozygous means your cat has two copies of
this mutation (instead of one). It may or may not develop
HCM in its lifetime but it is more likely to develop HCM
than a Negative cat.
Q. My cat tested negative for the MyBPC Mutation. Does
this mean this cat will never develop HCM?
A. Your cat will not develop the form of HCM
associated with this mutation. However, your cat may or may not
develop HCM in its lifetime.
Q. My cat tested positive for the MyBPC Mutation. Does
this mean this cat will develop HCM?
A. Your cat is more likely to develop HCM than a
Negative cat. However, your cat may or may not develop HCM in
its lifetime. Your cat should be evaluated annually by a
veterinary cardiologist because it is at an increased risk.
Q. What are the current statistics for cats returning a
positive test result?
A. As of September 2006, 33.4% of all cats tested
returned a Positive result. Of this percent, about 4% to 5% were
Homozygous for the mutation.
Q. What cat breeds may be tested for the MyBPC Mutation?
A. Any cat breed may be tested for the MyBPC Mutation.
Q. What cat breeds have tested Positive for the MyBPC
Mutation so far?
A. As of September 2006, only Maine Coons and their
progeny have tested Positive for this mutation. One Siberian cat
tested Positive Heterozygote and its pedigree was traced back to
a Maine Coon. No other cat breed has yet tested Positive for
this mutation.
Q. Is it more likely that a positive homozygous cat will
develop HCM than a positive heterozygous cat?
A. We do not have the data to determine the answer to
this question at this time.
Q. Are there cats that tested positive for the MyBPC
mutation and never develop(ed) HCM?
A. We do not officially have record of this data. We
have been told by cat owners that their older, Positive cats
have never been diagnosed with HCM.
Q. Do all cats with HCM test positive for the MyBPC
mutation?
A. No. There are likely other mutations that may cause
HCM.
Questions about outside
sources:
Q. Is your lab affiliated with any commercial lab outside of
the USA?
A. No. Our laboratory is a non-profit laboratory. We
are not affiliated with any commercial laboratories.
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