Submission for Canine Neuromuscular Testing

General Information

It is a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory policy to submit samples through and report results to your veterinarian. Direct involvement of your veterinarian allows for optimal management of this genetic disease as well as other concurrent medical conditions your dog may have that will affect its management.

For further information on reporting and billing policies, including payment options, please click here.  The fee for this test can be found on the guide and fees page.

Genetic Testing Protocol

Genetic testing can be performed on whole blood, dew claws or semen. Whole blood samples are preferred, but dew claws from newborn pups can be submitted as a convenience to reduce the risk of stress on the pup.

• Blood - Draw 1-3 ml into a purple top EDTA tube clearly labeled with the dog's and owner's name.
• Dew Claws (NEWLY WHELPED PUPPIES ONLY) - Place the pair of removed dew claws into an empty collection tube clearly labeled with a unique identifier (such as collar color) and the owner's name.
• Semen - please e-mail eicinfo@umn.edu for instructions.

OFA International DNA Database

For test results to be eligible for VPI (Veterinarian verified Permanent Identification) certification with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), the attending veterinarian must verify a microchip or tattoo. Please note that we cannot update the result report with registration information if a tattoo or microchip was not verified at the time of testing.

The VDL will not be maintaining a list of clear dogs. However, the OFA (www.offa.org) will be hosting the EIC data. The data will be submitted by individual owners, if they choose, after receiving results. On the first page of the result report there will be instructions for submission to the OFA. You will need to make a copy of the first page of the test result, sign the authorization statement and mail or fax the result (with OFA fee) to the OFA.

Shipping

Enclose a completed submission form for each animal. Label the tube or envelope with owner and animal name. Blood samples must be shipped within 72 hrs. of collection. Dew claws should be stored in the freezer if they are to be held for an extended period of time before shipping. Place the tubes with a frozen gel pack in a padded container and ship to arrive within 1-5 days to the address below.

If you are shipping samples from outside the United States, please review these USDA Guidelines for Importation.

Address:

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
University of Minnesota
1333 Gortner Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: (612) 625-8787