HCM gene testing in Ragdolls

The breeder where I got my kitty does not do genetic testing for this as they claim the tests are unreliable as far as false positives and false negatives. The only other breeder within driving distance (I refused to have a tiny kitten shipped) said their kittens were "clear via lineage" but could not provide proof. I had already fallen in love with Sami so I was going to take her regardless knowing that if she did develop it I could give her the best care available. BUT, I still want to have her tested for the gene mutation.
My question is what is the best facility to have the genetic testing done? UC Davis and UNC use a swab test which is mailed in, so I would be able to avoid the stress of a vet visit and blood letting. Is there another option? Has anyone used this mail-in swab service from either of those veterinary schools?

Thanks for any advice!

RagsMom said:

The breeder where I got my kitty does not do genetic testing for this as they claim the tests are unreliable as far as false positives and false negatives. The only other breeder within driving distance (I refused to have a tiny kitten shipped) said their kittens were "clear via lineage" but could not provide proof. I had already fallen in love with Sami so I was going to take her regardless knowing that if she did develop it I could give her the best care available. BUT, I still want to have her tested for the gene mutation.
My question is what is the best facility to have the genetic testing done? UC Davis and UNC use a swab test which is mailed in, so I would be able to avoid the stress of a vet visit and blood letting. Is there another option? Has anyone used this mail-in swab service from either of those veterinary schools?

Thanks for any advice!

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Bumping this for more help. Personally I don't know.  Perhaps you can call UC Davis and UNC and ask them.

Sorry, I don't know either, but I am curious why you want the testing?  Are you hoping to breed the cat if she does not carry the gene?

My family has the gene for Huntington's disease.  There is genetic testing available that can tell you whether or not you inherited the gene.  When I decided to get tested, it was not really my health, but stuff that was going on with my mom, and she refused to be tested or to even consider the possibility that this might be what was wrong with her.  Also some stuff going on with my older sisters that I felt might be early symptoms of the disease.  I had to go through counseling before they would administer the test.  Prior to going through this, I never really thought abuot all the ramifications involved with testing.  My sister that is in the medical field told me straight out that she recommended I NOT have the test, and that if I insisted on going through with it, she did not want to know the results.

So, essentially, what the test can tell you is that yes, you have the gene, or no, you do not carry the gene.

If you have the gene, you may, or may not, pass this on to your children.

If you hvae the gene, you may or may develop the disease.

If you pass the gene on to your children, they may, or may not develop the disease.

So, if you have the gene, then do you live life as if you WILL develop the disease, and as if you WILL pass the gene on to your children?

Doing so, you rob yourself of a lot of joy.  Even if you have kids, there is no guarantee that they will not suffer some other birth defect, that they will not die from SIDs, in an accident.  The bottom line is that there are no guarantees in life, except death.  Even if you carry the gene, you could die from accident or illness prior to onset of the disease.  The danger in having the test done is that the knowledge of whether or not you carry the gene can rob you of life, long before the illness does. Unless there is some treatment that can prevent the disese from manifesting, which I do not believe there is, sometimes we are better off just enjoying our health (and your kitty's health) while we have it and manage the disease when and IF it rears its ugly head.

Sorry, I didn't mean to go on and on...