In petgenoma, we extract DNA from cells of the pet's buccal epithelium. Since collecting buccal epithelium is very simple, it can be done by the owner themselves using swabs (a type of cotton swab) sent to their home. These swabs should be passed between the dog's gum and cheek, following a detailed, yet simple, step-by-step guide that is sent along with the collection material to the owner's home. However, the interpretation of the results, followed by clinical guidance, must always be performed by a veterinary professional.

DNA is a molecule that doesn't change throughout life; that is, the same DNA we are born with will be the same in old age. In this sense, at any age, a genetic test will show the same result, but it's important to consider that the younger the pet, the more benefits are derived from the knowledge generated by a genetic test. This is because predicting a predisposition to a disease often allows for intervention to delay or mitigate it, as well as guiding couples towards the birth of healthy puppies. Even so, we do not recommend collecting samples from puppies before 15 days of age, for the sole reason that the "baby" needs to be without nursing for at least one hour for the sample to be collected, which can be an unnecessary stress factor.

There is absolutely no problem in collecting samples from a pregnant female, unless the dog becomes stressed during the collection process, which is not usually common. However, the nursing dog needs to be kept away from the puppies for 1 hour to avoid contamination due to licking the "babies". If the puppies are no longer very young, and this is possible, there is no interference with the genetic test.

Unfortunately, not yet, despite the great importance of these diseases for canine health. Many research groups worldwide are working on the genetics of dysplasia, but even in the most developed countries, there is no informative genetic test available on the market. At petgenoma, we are attentive to scientific advances, we also conduct our own research, and we will certainly incorporate these assessments into our products as soon as scientific evidence becomes available.

We don't use only PCR for genetic analysis. The methodology used is called 'DNA probe hybridization', 'microarray', or 'DNA chip', using equipment and a platform from the company Illumina. This is the first laboratory based in Brazil to use this technology, which is also used by large and renowned laboratories in the developed world. However, analyzing the dog's DNA requires several days in the laboratory due to the complexity of the technique, in addition to bioinformatics analyses, which also demand considerable time.

Hybridization technology using DNA probes, microarrays, or DNA chips is capable of analyzing hundreds or even thousands of genes in a single run. However, the laboratory cost for analyzing a few genes is the same as for extensive research, which is why petgenoma does not perform customized panels for specific breeds or clients.

In addition to supporting a 100% Brazilian company, you will have access to a complete team of veterinarians and geneticists ready to answer all your questions, both before purchasing our analyses and after receiving the results for your dogs. Other important points are our technical team's knowledge of the characteristics of the most common breeds in our territory and the ease of sending samples, as our logistics are super simplified and efficient, covering the entire national territory.

The data generated by DNA probe hybridization technology, microarray, or DNA chip has a 99.6% accuracy rate, allowing for high confidence in the results. For disease and trait analyses, the result generated in the laboratory is directly shown in the report, eliminating the need for bioinformatics analyses to finalize it. On the other hand, the ancestry or racial composition report will generate data according to the available breed database. Initially, our database already includes the main breeds raised in Brazil, and therefore, the degree of confidence in our racial analyses is already quite high.

The "Identificação de raças" test from petgenoma will compare your pet's DNA with DNA from our database and determine the proportion of each breed present in your dog or cat. For purebred pets, this analysis should indicate 100% (or at least 70%) of the pedigree breed, while for mixed breeds or SRDs (No Defined Breed), it will indicate which breeds make up the pet's genome and in what proportion. Breeds present in high proportions can explain various behaviors and predispositions to diseases in pets, and therefore, knowledge of breed composition can help owners improve their relationship with their animals.

Without prejudice to any applicable legal provisions, we emphasize that refunds and/or returns will only be processed if the collection kits are returned with the sterile packaging intact. Please contact us so that we can proceed with the reverse logistics of returning the kit, which will occur at no additional cost to the customer through our authorized operator. If the samples are processed and the laboratory results prove inconclusive or technically unfeasible due to a small amount of analyzable genetic material, we will send a new collection kit at no additional cost to the same address as the first shipment.

Genomic analyses performed in any laboratory worldwide can generate a small number of inconclusive results. An inconclusive result occurs when it is not possible to evaluate and provide a result for that specific genetic variant of the pet, and it does not mean that the pet has a problem with this gene. The number of inconclusive results is related to the quality of the sample: when the swab does not have enough sample, or has not been dried for long enough, or even takes too long to be sent to the laboratory, the number of inconclusive results is higher. At petgenoma, we do not issue a report when the number of inconclusive results is greater than 3% of the variants tested, or when a disease important to the breed has an inconclusive result. In these cases, a recollection is requested, and the evaluation is repeated. Reports with less than 3% of inconclusive results for very rare diseases, and which are not described for the pet's breed, are normally released, without the conditions that gave the inconclusive result.

Absolutely! petgenoma strongly recommends that the results be shared with a veterinary professional in order to provide the best clinical management based on the findings! This set of actions can save your pet's life! And if your pet's veterinarian is not yet a partner, we will be happy to assist you through our WhatsApp channel!