The SDCA Cystinuria Project needs samples to move the research forward: We need
- DNA for our genetic research
- Urine samples to validate the new quantitative cystinuria test that Penn now offers.
While we validate the urine test, the SDCA will be paying the $160 testing fee, provided DNA is submitted (or is already on file) and the owner agrees to return follow-up questionnaires.
The Project is currently looking for samples from
- Healthy intact male dogs over the age of 18 months.
- Dogs affected by cystinuria before or just after (within days of) neuter. We would also like samples from affected dogs both 30 days and 60 days after neuter.
- Healthy neutered male dogs. Dogs can be neutered because of cystinuria or for another reason.
Please sign up for this test by completing this form. You will be sent instructions and a DNA saliva kit (which is super easy to use) upon completion of the form.
We can accept samples from dogs both from North America and from international dogs. Detailed instructions will be sent upon completion of the form. We have a testing protocol for international dogs that make shipping easy and affordable by regular mail—no cooling or express mail required.
The SDCA will be paying for the test until further notice, but you must complete the form so the test is approved before submitting the sample in order for the SDCA to pay for the test. The SDCA will also pay for shipping for samples from affected and neutered dogs.
Please note: The SDCA is paying for this test, which is brand new, for now because we don’t know enough about how it works in Deerhounds in order to interpret the results:
We really don’t know what “normal” vs. “at risk” means.
We don’t know at what point a dog will actually start to form stones.
We don’t know how the disease progresses: do the levels gradually build up, or can the dog be fine one month and form stones the next month?
We don’t know any of these things.
We also don’t know the ins and outs of running the test and if how samples are handled can influence the results. Penn staff is also learning how to best run the test equipment.
This is exactly why we are paying for you to do the test — because we need to learn these things.
This test isn’t ready to be predictive for stone formation or to be used as a breeding screening test, so please don’t make neutering or breeding decisions solely based on this test result.
Questions? Contact us!
What stones and crystals look like:
