title: [DNA-diagnosis of congenital diseases in companion animals and the role of the practicing veterinarian].
abstract: The knowledge on the impact of gene defects on the development of disease in companion animals is increasing rapidly. The gene defects may be differentiated in an initiating defect, which is the cause of illness, and a promoting defect, which enhances the chance on illness. Up till now only initiating defects are known in dogs and cats. All this is of great importance for breeding purposes, because within a breed there is narrow relationship which means the genetic diversity is small, and with all the disadvantages thereof. The identification in good time of gene defects in breeding animals, so that these animals being excluded from breeding, is of utmost importance in preventing congenital diseases. For that reason more and more the owners will appeal to veterinary surgeons to cooperate in procedures to screen potential breeding animals, or to declare the animals free from gene defects. The problems with regard to the diagnostic tests, including the DNA-tests, and their predictive values are discussed.
authors: Ubbink@mail.com
authors: G J
authors: GJ
authors: Ubbink
authors: F C
authors: FC
authors: Stades
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Rothuizen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001947:Breeding; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D002415:Cats; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D004285:Dogs; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D010375:Pedigree; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
chemical_list: D004247:DNA