Pet Cloning Now Available in North America

ViaGen Pets is currently the only American company offering cloning services for household pets.

Following the successful delivery of Nubia – the first American-born clone puppy, a Jack Russell terrier – ViaGen is now armed to take their global reputation beyond leader for equine and livestock industries and into the homes of pet-loving urbanites.

ViaGen’s subsidiary company Start Licensing owns the original patent for cloning Dolly the Sheep – the first, famed cloned animal in 1996.

The anticipation is that the demand will increase for cloning and genetic preservation of household pets.

“We are the first in North America to offer companion pet cloning and the reaction is extremely positive,” explained Blake Russell, CEO of ViaGen Pets.

“Vets are warming up to the idea. Breeders see it as a way to reproduce their ideal animals. Trainers believe it gives them a dog that seems to be genetically disposed to their work tasks and will be easier to train and perform at higher levels.

“That has significant ramifications say, for homeland security or the military. The rescue community takes the position that cloning adds to the animal population but for the relatively few cloned pets that join families, and right now we’re talking less than several hundred most likely in total, it’s a blip on their radar.  In fact, a number of the donors have been shelter dogs that would be impossible to genetically reproduce any other way, even breeding.”

According to Russell, pet cloning is an option for any ‘dedicated pet lover with that one of a kind pet’.

Over the last decade, while the price tag has been reduced substantially (horse cloning has seen a 50% cost reduction), the cost is certainly not cheap for the average pet owner - $50,000 for canines and $25,000 for felines.

But as time marches on, the goal is to continue to bring that cost down even further.

“Our goal is to make genetic preservation and cloning a feasible option for everyone who loves the genetic attributes of their pet.”

While pet cloning can essentially be done at any age, it is recommended to pursue ViaGen Pets services sooner, rather than later.

“It’s best to do genetic preservation before any health issues arise with the animal,” said Russell.

While the technology has been some 20 years in the works, Russell said one of the greater challenges is that sometimes the process can take as long as one year – leaving empty nesters with a disappointment that they weren’t able to bring home their new addition more quickly.

“Another risk is that the environmental influence on the cloned puppy or kitten is different enough to magnify behavioral differences. Most of the time, the pet owner is amazed at the similarities even though there can be differences in appearance, just as you would see in other identical twins.”

Pet cloning critics have expressed concern over whether the industry is falsely causing pet owners to believe their cloned pet will be ‘exactly’ like the original; ViGen Pets asserts that the pets they clone are ‘very similar’ to the original, but will not be identical.

For pet owners who suffer an unexpected loss of their pet prior to beginning the genetic preservation process, all may not be lost.

According to the company website, a phone number is provided for clients to call and make arrangements and to ensure the body is refrigerated (not frozen) and brought to a family veterinarian to collect tissue samples; the company’s genetic preservation services come with a $1,600 price tag and annual fee of $150 for storage.

Prior to ViaGen offering the service, North Americans wanting to clone their pets used Sooam Biotech in South Korea - the world's first "animal cloning factory."

By Lindsay Seewalt

Lindsay is an experienced journalist and mother of three whose heart and home is always open to a four-legged friend. With her Corgi, Angie, as household editor-in-chief, Lindsay gives back to the animal planet through the written word on anything and all ado about pets. She is passionate about topics regarding animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, which she aims to instill in both her readers and children to be compassionate animal lovers who are conscious and considerate that furry friends around the globe deserve a voice.

RESEARCH - Is There no Hope for Healthy Bulldogs?

(akc.org)

English bulldogs: the beloved, cartoonish, man-made breed that warms hearts and turns heads.

Ranking #4 for U.S. dog breed popularity and #1 for health problems, the breed has long been cautioned as a potentially costly one.

A recent University of California study concludes the breed is “now lacking the diversity in its gene pool to make much-needed health improvements.”

The researchers go on to say that the bulldogs' genes have become too similar for breeders to reduce the higher risk of sickness by only breeding the healthiest English bulldogs.

The study's bottom line: Despite breeders best efforts, there's just not enough genetic diversity in the breed.

"The English bulldog has reached the point where popularity can no longer excuse the health problems that the average bulldog endures in its often brief lifetime," study lead author Niels Pedersen, of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Center for Companion Animal Health, said in a journal news release.

What many fail to realize, according to veterinarian Dr. Fraser Hale of Hale Veterinary Clinic in Guelph, ON -  an outspoken critic of bulldog breeding who is on a mission to motivate his industry to better educate the public – is that perpetuating the bulldog industry is nothing short of animal cruelty and a preservation of archaic tradition.

“The pet-owning public needs to recognize it is too inhumane to ask an animal to live its life in such a dysfunctional and deformed body,” said Hale, who asserts that the lack of public education on the cruel and sad lives of bulldogs may be so far behind that perhaps legislation (much like dog fighting) and heavy public education campaigns may be the only way to drastically make a difference.

“People who don’t understand what that ‘bulldog look’ imposes to the animal may see them as ‘cute’, but if they knew the reality, they would likely just see them as sad.”

Referring to bulldogs as ‘bad by design’ and a ‘failed human experiment’, Hale sees the only solution is to care for the remaining bulldogs and to stop breeding, letting the breed die out.

Hale said he thinks the veterinary industry has ‘a lot to answer to’ with respect to better educating people on the sad life led by bulldogs.

He cites a host of health problems including (but not limited to): brachycephalic upper airway issues; horrible dental/oral anatomy/health; orthopedic issues; and skin-fold dermatitis.

The breed is completely man-made and cannot whelp without human interference by way of a caesarean delivery.

“How fair is it to breed an animal that can’t even deliver naturally?” points out Dr. Danny Joffe of Associate Vet Clinics in Calgary.

Joffe, who emphasized that these multitude of health problems exists in both English and French bulldogs (who also suffer from inflammatory brain disease), said that he cautions any of his veterinary clients who choose to purchase a bulldog to at the very least get pet insurance (although some companies won’t insure bulldogs) and to watch their pet’s weight with vigilance, as any added weight puts a strain on their respiratory system and can accelerate their arthritis.

Joffe said other breeds to be mindful of various health problems include the Irish wolfhound (bone cancer and heart trouble) and Bernese mountain dogs (cancer), but that ‘no other breeds have the problems suffered by bulldogs’.

For Hale, the movement toward public education of the pain and suffering that bulldogs are inevitably left with is out of step with modern-day advocacy campaigns against declawing and tail docking.

He is hoping the veterinary industry will help influence bulldog breeding as a socially unacceptable trend of the past and that celebrity endorsements of bulldogs will cease.

By Lindsay Seewalt

Lindsay is an experienced journalist and mother of three whose heart and home is always open to a four-legged friend. With her Corgi, Angie, as household editor-in-chief, Lindsay gives back to the animal planet through the written word on anything and all ado about pets. She is passionate about topics regarding animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, which she aims to instill in both her readers and children to be compassionate animal lovers who are conscious and considerate that furry friends around the globe deserve a voice.

RESEARCH - Canine Genetic Study Can Help Breed Healthier Dogs & Fight Disease in People

Domestic dogs share hundreds of diseases with humans and ground-breaking research out of Cornell University relying on canines might lead to discoveries in fighting disease in people.

The largest genetic study of dogs conducted by the university, recently published in the journal Nature Communications, saw the genetic analysis of 4,200 dogs.

And the findings are a coup considered it could offer a viable lead to help link genetic markers of disease with the responsible gene.

“The more we know about the genetic basis of diseases, the better we are at keeping pure-bred dog populations genetically healthy,” says Adam Boyko, assistant professor of biomedical sciences at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the paper’s senior author.

The study investigated 180,000 genetic markers, DNA sequences with a known physical location on a chromosome – ultimately offering “a big step toward efficiently mapping genes responsible for complex disease in dogs, most of which are very similar in humans, thereby accelerating our understanding of human genetic diseases.”

Researchers say that by identifying important genes and proteins in dogs for diseases and traits, it may be possible to then test those homologous genes in humans.

In the study, samples were taken from more than 150 purebreds, 170 mixed-breed dogs and 350 free-ranging village dogs from the Cornell Veterinary Biobank with the work taking place over several years.

From hip dysplasia to lymphoma, dogs share more than 350 diseases with humans and similar pathways and genes associated – making mutts increasingly popular as model subjects for studying human disease.

As well genetics in dogs are far more simple than in humans making relying on them as research tools a “useful and underused way to understand genetic diseases from a human perspective,” Boyko says.

Existing research has made links between standard poodles and squamous cell carcinoma, German shepherds at atopic dermatitis and canine compulsive disorder in Dobermans, the study cites, while stating “domestic dogs” are “excellent animal models for human disease.”

In the Cornell study, for instance, hundreds of genes contribute to body size in humans while the research proved much easier with canine subjects.

“We found 17 genes for body size in dogs, and by looking at those genes we can predict a dog's size with 90 percent accuracy,” Boyko says.

For complex diseases, researchers identified areas on the genome associated with elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, lymphoma, mast cell tumour, granulomatous colitis and idiopathic epilepsy, which is often described as epilepsy without cause and often used to describe genetic epilepsy.

In addition to body size, researchers also succeeded in identifying genes which influence traits like fur length and shedding.

Human disease-mapping studies generally include genotyping tens of thousands of individuals and looking at 1 million markers across the genome.

In this study, Boyko says, researchers conducted simulations to show that “in dogs, we expect to be able to identify genetic risk factors for most major diseases with 1000 individual dogs and 1000 controls.”

The study was funded by Zoetis Animal Health, the Cornell University Center for Advanced Technology in Life Science Enterprise, the National Geographic Society, National Institutes of Health, The American Kennel Club and the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

By Nadia Moharib

Nadia Moharib is an animal lover who has adopted everything from birds to hamsters, salamanders, rabbits, fish and felines. She has written about all-things-pets for years and was a long-time editor of a pet magazine in a daily newspaper which featured a Q & A column, Ask Whit, penned by her pooch (ghost written, of course.) The serial dog owner lives in Calgary, Alberta and most days can be found at a dog park picking up after her rescue pooch, Scoots.

Mar's first Mutt Census reveals US Mixed Breed Population

Mars Veterinary National Mutt Census Identifies the German Shepherd Mix as America's Most Popular Mutt

Launched in March 2010, the Mutt Census conducted by Mars Veterinary, the leading authority in dog DNA analysis took a paw print of America's mixed breed population and aimed to help strengthen the pet-owner bond. Mixed breed dogs account for more than half (53 percent) of all pet dogs in the U.S. and until now, their breed makeup has been largely guesswork. The results are now in and the German Shepherd is officially the most common breed identified in America's mutts.

Mars Veterinary collected samples from around the country from more than 36,000 mixed-breed dogs. These samples underwent genetic analysis by the Mars Veterinary team to determine the breed history of each dog. This genetic data was combined with more than 16,000 responses to a Web survey from mixed breed owners. The Mutt Census survey asked questions about their dog's size and weight, his feeding and exercise habits, whether he was adopted from a shelter as well as questions about the dog's health.

"The Mars Veterinary National Mutt Census provides a vivid snapshot of past and present trends in mixed breed dogs," said Dr. Angela Hughes, Veterinary Genetics Research Manager at Mars Veterinary. "Thanks to the Census, we know what breeds are wide-spread, as well as how people are caring for their dogs and what health concerns they may have. The hope is that the pet community will use this information to provide better care for the nation's mixed breed dogs."

Mars Veterinary, a global leader in pet care and a division of MARS(R) Incorporated, is the industry's gold standard genetic analysis provider for mixed-breed dogs. Their Wisdom Panel Insights test a "do-it-yourself" cheek swab test is the most comprehensive mixed breed test on the market, capable of detecting from among more than 185 breeds that make up a mixed breed dog with unparalleled accuracy.

The Mars Veterinary National Mutt Census is the most comprehensive analysis of the nation's mixed breed dog population ever conducted. While the data collected was vast, a few key findings emerged:

Pet Trends: Pure Breed vs. Mixed-Breed

While German Shepherds prove popular as both a pure breed and mixed-breed, the most common breeds registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) are not necessarily the most common breeds found in mixed breed dogs. The top 10 most popular breeds found in the nation's mutts include:

1. German Shepherd (# 2 most popular AKC registered breed)

2. Labrador Retriever (#1 most popular AKC registered breed)

3. Chow Chow (#63 most popular AKC registered breed)

4. Boxer (#6 most popular AKC registered breed)

5. Rottweiler (#13 most popular AKC registered breed)

6. Poodle (#9 most popular AKC registered breed)

7. American Staffordshire Terrier (#70 most popular AKC registered breed)

8. Golden Retriever (#4 most popular AKC registered breed)

9. Cocker Spaniel (#23 most popular AKC registered breed)

10. Siberian Husky (#22 most popular AKC registered breed)


Mutt Census data shows that the DNA of America's mix-breed dogs tells a story of which breeds were popular in past decades. If a breed was trendy in the past, but has fallen from popularity, it may still represent a large portion of the mixed breed population. For example, the Chow Chow breed popular in the 1980s is commonly found at the grandparent or great grandparent level in tested mixed breed dogs. The American Staffordshire Terrier in contrast, is a breed that appears to be growing in popularity against a trend of declining breed registrations overall.

A Paw-Print of Pet-Owner Trends

Shelter Dogs Rule: Shelters are the most frequently cited place (46 percent) where people obtain mixed breed dogs, followed by a friend/neighbor or relative (18 percent).

Mutts Nibble on Kibble: Dry dog food is the most popular feeding choice (65 percent), surpassing mixed food (wet and dry - 21 percent), wet food (5 percent) and raw food and scraps (9 percent).

Doggy/Owner Sleepover: Nearly half of owners (48 percent) reported that their dog slept with them.

Small Dogs Rule: For most mixed-breed dog owners, bigger isn't necessarily better. Breeds weighing more than 80 pounds represent less than 11 percent of all mixed breed dogs.

Bugs Bite: Flea and tick prevention is important for dogs living in most areas of the country, but 69 percent of respondents reported that they don't use flea and tick control medicines regularly.

Population control: Nearly nine out of 10 (89 percent) mixed breed dogs are neutered.

The Science Behind Wisdom Panel

With a simple swipe of a cheek swab, the state-of-the-art Wisdom Panel Insights dog DNA test can determine the ancestry of a mixed-breed dog by testing for more than 185 breeds, the largest database on the market all for the low price of $69.99. Within three weeks, dog owners will be e-mailed an official Ancestry Report that reveals the dog's genetic background that may help owners make sense of obvious and not-so-obvious physical traits plus behaviors like digging, herding and barking that can all come from the various breeds in a dog's family tree. Once an owner understands a dog's natural tendencies, it's possible to create a tailored training, exercise and nutrition program to fit his one-of-a-kind needs.

Wisdom Panel canine DNA analyses are based on nearly a decade of extensive research, drawing from the expertise of leading scientists, veterinarians, universities and breed organizations throughout the world. This science has not only yielded the swab-based Wisdom Panel Insights, the most comprehensive swab product on the market, but also Wisdom Panel Professional, the only blood-based canine DNA analysis available exclusively through veterinarians. Wisdom Panel development included the analysis of more than 19 million DNA markers from more than 13,000 dogs, enabling the detection of breed composition of a mixed-breed dog with unprecedented accuracy.

About Mars Veterinary

Mars Veterinary is a division of MARS(R) Incorporated, a company known for innovative consumer and pet food brands that are trusted by people around the world. Its mission is to facilitate responsible pet care by enlightening pet owners and communities with valuable insights into their pets as individuals through innovative, science-based discoveries. For nearly a decade, Mars Veterinary has researched and developed state-of-the-art genetic tests for mixed-breed dogs, revolutionizing personalized pet care. By discovering a mixed-breed dog's ancestry, pet owners and veterinarians can work together to tailor wellness programs that fit the one-of-a-kind needs of a mixed-breed dog. For more information, visit http://www.wisdompanel.com/