You Think Figuring Out Health Testing is Too Hard?

I have heard a lot of complaints lately about how difficult it is to figure out heath testing and applying for subsidies. I was really taken aback by this. Since the Collie Health foundation has multiple purposes, and one is education, this hit me hard. When I was asked if I could write an article, I thought this might help many of you and in the end make me feel better.

The Collie Health Foundation has updated our website to make it easier for you to request codes and links from our Vice President and assistant Treasurer, Isabell Ososki. Joan Johnson added a picture of a rough blue puppy to every testing page including the main page of “Test Your Collie”. When you click on this picture a form pops up for you to fill out. Once you are done, and prove you are not a robot, you hit send and then the form automatically is sent to Isabell. Voila`!

request your test codes - clicks to contact form request

Tests

MDRI Only – Multidrug Sensitivity:

  • This is for Collies that will not be bred, tested further with Optimal Selection™, or that are older and have never been tested before. The knowledge of the sensitivity of your Collie to certain drugs could someday save your dog’s life.
  • Click on blue puppy and put number of Collies you are testing under MDR1 Only and fill out and send form. After Isabell receives the form, she will tell you how to order the MDR1 tests
  • Original Cost $60, less $20 Subsidy from CHF your member brings your membership cost to $40 at time of purchase
  • Method – Cheek Swabs
  • Lab at Washington State University – They mail the swabs to you after you order.

DMS – Dermatomyositis:

  • This is a RISK assessment test. If you plan on breeding your Collie this is a test that any responsible breeder should have in their tool chest. This disease involves skin and muscle tissue. Please go to colliehealth.org for more information.
  • Click on blue puppy and put number of Collies you are testing and fill out and submit form. Isabell will send you a one-time use link.
  • Original cost $100, less 15% discount from Wisdom Health and less $50 Subsidy from CHF brings your member cost down to $35.
  • Method – Cheek Swabs
  • Order Cheek swabs from the CHF shop at our cost – https://www.colliehealth.org/product/chf-swab-kits/
  • Lab – Wisdom Health

Rcd2-PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

  • This test is for Collies that will be bred, or Collies that come from untested lines, or lines that are known to have PRA crop up in the pedigree. This test will tell you if your Collie is a Carrier or Affected with progressive retinal atrophy which could cause your Collie to go blind at some point in his or her life.
  • Click on blue puppy and put number of Collies you are testing and fill out and submit form. Isabell will send you a one-time use link.
  • Original Cost – $130, less 15% discount from Wisdom Health, and less $50 subsidy from CHF brings your member cost down to $60.
  • Method – Cheek Swabs
  • Order Cheek swabs from the CHF shop at our cost – https://www.colliehealth.org/product/chf-swab-kits/
  • Lab – Wisdom Health

OS – Optimal Selection™ Canine Genetic Breeding Analysis**:

  • This is for all Collies that might be bred or have any of the health issues in their line that this test covers:
    • MDR1 – Multidrug Resistance (Licensed by Washington State University – VetMed)
    • CCN – Canine Cyclic Neutropenia – Grey Collie
    • DM – Degenerative Myelopathy
    • CEA – Collie Eye Anomaly – (MARS purchased OptiGen in 2018 and owns the rights to the testing method). This is an add on test to be ordered after you have received your Optimal Selection results.  Cost is 20 EUR or around $25
    • Coat Trait – Length – Rough or Smooth (Rough factored Smooth)
    • Color Traits – Color and Patterns including Merle
    • GENETIC DIVERSITY – “The Breeders Tool Box”
      • Diversity of the individual dog tested
      • Diversity of the overall breed population
      • Diversity of the overall breed population compared to the diversity of   other related breed populations
  • Click on blue puppy and put number of Collies you are testing and fill out and submit the form. Isabell will send you a discount code that is a one-time use code. (There are times we are waiting for new codes from Wisdom Health and there might be a delay to get new code numbers)
  • Original Cost $130, less 15% Wisdom Health Discount and less $50 CHF Subsidy brings your member cost down to $60.
  • Lab – Wisdom Health

In my next article, “Collie Health Testing 201”, I will cover why to health test, more about testing, how to use the results in your tool chest, and much more about some of the diseases. If you would like me to address something specifically, email me at president@colliehealth.org.

*All Subsidies are for Members of CHF only and their Rough & Smooth Collies that live with them. New members must wait 30 days before applying for subsidies.

**When you receive your results from the Optimal Selection™ panel, you will be given the opportunity to add on the CEA and a PRA test. The PRA test does not pertain to Collies, do not order this test!