New disease being tested for by Embark Veterinary DNA

 

Copper Toxicosis (Accumulating) is a new test designed by Embark Veterinary in May 2024.

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For dogs tested prior to May 2024, Embark results would not have included this new test and may  later come back as carrying this variant. The only way to test would be to have dogs re-tested (which costs several hundred Australian dollars).

 

Since this time, many people testing dogs with Embark Veterinary (purebred and mixed alike) are coming back with their dogs being 'carriers'. Understandably, owners are confused as it not something specific or ever recorded in their dog's breed/s.

 

Bedlington Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Skye Terriers, Keeshonds, American Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Anatolian Shepherds, West Highland White Terriers have been known to be affected.

Embark states that the risk of Copper Toxicosis (Accumulating) variant in breeds other than the Labrador and Doberman is currently unknown.

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Health problems are extremely low in the Lykos Wolfalike breed. There have never been any health issues associated with a dog being a carrier with Copper Toxicosis on Embark. Even if a dog is found to have inherited two copies of the variant on Embark, this has not impacted the dog in any way.

 

Embark states on their results that they do not know whether even inheriting two copies increases the risk of the development of Copper Toxicosis. ​They say research studies for this variant have been based on dogs of other breeds and research into the clinical impact of this variant is ongoing.

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Embark's advice 12 June 2024: "We do not recommend breeding decisions are based on this result alone at this time. We recommend considering other factors such as temperament, structure and other health testing results, when deciding whether to breed."

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Even though this result does not appear relevant at this point in time, and given Embark's advice on the ongoing testing and not being breed-relevant, all Embark DNA test results are being kept and tracked with the Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia.

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Link to Embark's website about the variant

 

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