https://www.akc.org/dna/

http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/health-testing/laboratory/)  The AKC Health Foundation maintains a link to various labs throughout the world for genetic testing

Lagotto Storage Disease  The test is available through Genoscoper Labs.  Once test samples are received at the lab, results take 6-8 weeks.  This is a complete DNA panel so also tests for BFJE and Incorrect Coat and more, for one fixed price.  https://mydogdna.com/

  Select the "MyDogDNA" for ordering your test kit.

Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (BFJE) Test to establish affected, carrier or clear status of this autosomal recessive gene that causes epileptic type seizures.  There are two laboratories that carry this test, Optigen LLC in New York, Genoscoper in Finland, and University of Bern in Switzerland.

http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test.html

https://mydogdna.com/

http://www.genetics.unibe.ch/content/service/dog/index_eng.html

Eye Certification Testing and  Ophthalmologist Resources

http://acvo.org/new/public/locate.shtml

http://www.ofa.org/diseases/eye-certification

Hip, Elbow, and Patella Testing Information on the tests can be found on the home page Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.  Any licensed Veterinarian can take an OFA radiograph.

http://www.ofa.org

Hips Only:  PennHip Only Veterinarians certified in PennHip may take and submit radiographs for diagnostic reading.

http://info.antechimagingservices.com/pennhip/   To locate a PennHip Veterinarian, click on this link and enter your home town and state to find the one closest to your area:

http://info.antechimagingservices.com/pennhip/navigation/locate-pennHIP-vet/locate-pennHIP-vet.html

Incorrect Coat (recommended test) Another autosomal recessive gene, where some Lagotto do not have all correct coat “furnishings” and therefore do not have the phenotypical curly coat.  This is also found in the Portuguese Water Dog, and is a cosmetic issue, not a health issue.  Carrier dogs should be bred only to those that are IC clear.

http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test.html

http://www.genetics.unibe.ch/content/service/dog/index_eng.html

Cataract Gene Research Being Done in Germany

Over several years, there has been some concern over the years that the Lagotto may have a gene that causes the incidence of early cataract development.  Some of you may have seen a post on Facebook recently from a breeder in Finland who has found the cataract issue in one of her lines and is supporting further genetic studies to find and isolate the gene.  While a lab in Finland had agreed to conduct research, they have since found out that the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics in Germany had already begun such a study.  Here is a link with further information regarding the study:  http://www.greccio.de/pdfs/katarakt_1.pdf

Anyone wishing to participate in this study should contact Eva Fauth, juergen.fauth@t-online.de and she will guide you on what is needed and what to do.  The testing will require blood samples and they are looking for samples from both cataract free and affected dogs.  Some samples have already been collected in Finland, and hopefully they will work together in this important work.