Feline DNA Testing by Wisdom Panel

Feline DNA Genetic Testing

We feel it is vital and necessary to do significant testing on a cat when we consider them for inclusion as part of our breeding program.  This includes not only testing for communicable diseases such at FELV and FIV.  In addition, any Maine Coon cat we consider for our breeding program must also undergo DNA testing as well.  There are a few genetic testing labs such as UC Davis, Basepaws, Orivet as well as Wisdom Panel.

We have chosen Wisdom Panel as our DNA testing service provider. The test is performed by a cheek swab and being sent into their lab. This is the least invasive option for DNA testing for a cat with the least amount of stress.

Any Maine Coon that we are considering to be part of our breeding program undergoes a thorough screening including DNA testing before we consider them as a candidate for breeding. Wisdom Panel testing offers great insight to the overall genetics of a cat.

With DNA testing, we know the blood type of our cats, the fact that they are negative for polycystic kidney disease (PKD), negative for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), as well as many other genetic traits.

Wisdom Panel’s Optimal Selection Feline, is breed-focused and backed by science to screen for health, traits, blood type, and genetic diversity.  They’ve taken the latest scientific research on cat population genetics and developed a simple and easy at–home swab test for the modern breeder to manage cats health. Genome-wide testing panel provides advantages over traditional techniques such as pedigree analysis which helps breeders develop proactive, sustainable breeding programs for themselves and their wider breed. Our veterinarian recommends Wisdom Panel. The test includes:

  • Results for over 40 genetic diseases, with breed relevance noted in reports
  • Testing for 20+ traits including coat colors, coat types, and body shape
  • Comprehensive blood typing
  • Genetic diversity information
  • Continuously updated research and breed information based on new discoveries

Optimal Selection™ DNA service for cats is a genome-wide genetic analysis that gives information on several inherited characteristics.

Included Health Tests

  • Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 1)
  • Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 2)
  • Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 3)
  • Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 4)
  • Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 5)
  • Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
  • Blood Type
  • Burmese Head Defect
  • Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (Discovered in Persian cats)
  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
  • Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria
  • Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome
  • Cystinuria Type 1A
  • Cystinuria Type B (Variant 1)
  • Cystinuria Type B (Variant 2)
  • Cystinuria Type B (Variant 3)
  • Dihydropyrimidinase Deficiency
  • Earfold and Osteochondrodysplasia (Discovered in the Scottish Fold)
  • Factor XII Deficiency (Variant 1)
  • Factor XII Deficiency (Variant 2)
  • Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy (Discovered in Burmese)
  • Glutaric Aciduria Type II – NEW!
  • Glycogen Storage Disease
  • GM1 Gangliosidosis
  • GM2 Gangliosidosis
  • GM2 Gangliosidosis, type II (Discovered in Burmese cats)
  • GM2 Gangliosidosis, type II (Discovered in Domestic shorthair cats)
  • GM2 Gangliosidosis, type II (Discovered in Japanese domestic cats)
  • Hemophilia B (Variant 1)
  • Hemophilia B (Variant 2)
  • Hyperoxaluria type II
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Discovered in Maine Coon)
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Discovered in Ragdoll)
  • Hypotrichosis (Discovered in Sacred Birman)
  • Lipoprotein Lipase Deficiency
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI (G1558A variant)
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI (T1427C variant)
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis VII
  • Multidrug Resistance 1
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (rdAc-PRA)
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in Bengal cats)
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in Persian cats)
  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
  • Sphingomyelinosis (Variant 1)
  • Sphingomyelinosis (Variant 2)
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy
  • Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets

Included Trait Tests

Agouti (A) Locus:
  • Charcoal (Apb)
  • Non-Agouti (a)
Brown (B) Locus:
  • Chocolate (b)
  • Cinnamon (bl)
Color (C) Locus:
  • Colorpoint (cb)
  • Colorpoint (cs)
  • Mocha (cm) – NEW!
  • Albinism (c)
Extension (E) Locus:
  • Amber (e)
  • Russet (er)
Dilution (D) Locus:
  • Dilution (d)
White Patterns:
  • Gloves (Birman – White feet)
  • White Spotting/Dominant White
Other Coat Types:
  • Glitter coat – NEW and EXCLUSIVE to Wisdom Health
  • Hairlessness (Discovered in Sphynx)
  • Long hair (mutation M1)
  • Long hair (mutation M2)
  • Long hair (mutation M3)
  • Long hair (mutation M4)
  • Lykoi coat (mutation Ca) – NEW!
  • Lykoi coat (mutation VA) – NEW!
  • Rexing (discovered in Cornish Rex and German Rex)
  • Rexing (discovered in Devon Rex)
Body Features:
  • Short tail (discovered in Japanese Bobtail cats)
  • Short tail (discovered in Manx), two variants
  • Polydactyly (mutation HW)
  • Polydactyly (mutation UK1)
  • Polydactyly (mutation UK2)