Just wondering how much some of the genetic health tests cost, I'm having some disease testing done on my bird and a breeder on a forum recommended a lab that they have used where anyone can collect and send in samples for testing, well looking around there web site they also do genetic testing for dogs for health problems and colours, as well as other animal's. I asked my vet how much it would cost to test for 1 disease with the lab he uses and was quoted £30 +vat where as this lab I'm using is £13 per test! So just wondering if there prices are as good for there other tests purely out of curiosity but don't know anyone who's breed have genetic tests.

We use the AHT.   When I had my last pup tested it cost £50 and was well worth the money.   Just checked and it's now £40.

Considering the contribution the tests are making to the health of our dogs, I think it's good value for money :-)

So looking at the ATH some are the same price some this lab is more expensive. ATH also do more tests by the look of it, so just bird stuff is cheaper than the lab my vet uses.

There's no genetic tests for my breed sadly would be nice if they had one for pra in the breed, but just wondered.

unfortunately some tests are patented and you can only get them done with the Labs concerned or their partners who they allow to do testing under License. 

The originators set the prices. 

Optigen is the one we have to sue for prcd-PRA, http://www.optigen.com/opt9_price.html.  On top of that you have the Vets charge for taking the blood (typcially over £50 around here).

I had my bitch Optigen tested for CL/CEA/TNS a couple of years ago and think it was around £170 off the top of my head (might also have been a £30 or so fee for the person who took the bloods, a vet at an agility show).

can you not get the blood yourself brainless? or is it not a small amount needed. two of the tests im having done on the bird need a blood sample but it only needs a drop so they say to cut a claw too short to get it, they advise a vet does it but you can do it yourself. Im getting the vet to do it as she also needs bum swabs and I don't fancy getting the cotton bud up a budgies bum.

There are a few different ones, ill find the links to the US ones but one of the UK ones is Laboklin which is also used.
The US based ones often tend to be cheaper overall too, bizarrely!

I've used Laboklin for Prcd-pra it was cheaper and less hassle than Optigen.

The KC won't publish the results because there's an ongoing case with Optigen about the licence/patent.

I've had the MRD1 test done too at Animal Genetics UK, half price to Laboklin.

KC will hold the result on record though for any enquiries and ABS qualification.

Brainless u can get the test done by Idexx and previously it came back on Optigen paperwork.  It'sva lot cheaper though takes a bit longer to get the results.  Your vet has to do the paperwork and go through Idexx.

> On top of that you have the Vets charge for taking the blood (typcially over £50 around here).

At my vets the nurse takes the blood and charges £7. Can you ask for a nurse to do it instead of the vet?

I've had the MRD1 test done too at Animal Genetics UK, half price to Laboklin.

That's the lab doing my birds tests, all though the bird part is called avianboitec. I've got to Waite now as I need another swab after calling them to ask a question (very helpfully guy) I didn't realise one test needed a throat swab too. My poor bird

> can you not get the blood yourself brainless?

Don't think it's legal for non profesionals to take blood in the UK (It's several ml not like a prick test for diabetes) and the vet signs the forms to confirm they took teh blood and the dogs ID. 

You can use cheek swabs, but if they fail then you will need to get blood anyway, and with some tests they only allow blood.