Tag archives: cat

Introducing My CatScan® 2.0: More Diseases, Traits, Coat Colors, and Cat-tastic Fun!

Neogen® Corporation just unveiled the latest and greatest version of My CatScan®, the ultimate genetic screening tool for our fabulous feline friends. This new version comes with 39 new diseases, traits, and coat colors for a total of 120 genetic health conditions to explore.

Why should you care about your cat's genetic health? Whether you have a playful kitten or a sophisticated senior cat, understanding their genetic makeup can make a difference. My CatScan® provides a hassle-free experience for both feline companions and owners, utilizing a noninvasive cheek swab method.

There's more–My CatScan® gives you personalized insights tailored specifically to your cat's needs. You can sort the results by breed, organ system, symptoms, or any other factor. This provides you with valuable information to make informed decisions about your cat's health.

Now, let's talk about the benefits of genetic health awareness.

1. Responsible Breeding Practices: Let's not forget about our fabulous breeders out there! Breeders can use the genetic insights to choose the best mate and create litters with ideal coat colors. Plus, by avoiding genetic diseases, they're contributing to healthier feline populations and showing the world what ...

The popularity of genetic health testing in domestic animals is rapidly increasing for a variety of different applications. Although genetic testing of dogs has been more widely recognized by the public than similar testing in cats, advancements in genetic testing are also becoming increasingly popular among those that have a special feline in their life. In order to address the genetic health concerns of our cat-loving friends and their wonderful felines, the team at Paw Print Genetics has developed the CatScan, a powerful genetic screening tool for inherited diseases and traits. Aside from its important use by feline breeders to make informed breeding decisions and to prevent the production of kittens with certain inherited diseases, the CatScan also has powerful applications in clinical veterinary medicine especially in cases where testing is performed early in a cat’s life or when the cat’s pedigree is unknown.  

Early Screening for Greatest Impact

From a technical perspective, the CatScan can be performed using cheek swabs from kittens of any age as long as it is possible to prevent contamination of their DNA sample with DNA from other cats or mother’s milk. However, testing kittens early (around the beginning of weaning) is a common ...

Researchers at the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China have pre-released a study that indicates the virus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 disease, can infect and replicate efficiently in cats.  They have also found that cats can transmit the virus to other cats via respiratory droplets.  There is still little evidence to suggest that cats can be a source of viral transmission to humans.  This study also found that dogs appear to have low susceptibility to the virus. 

Accordingly, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) makes these recommendations when it comes to COVID-19 and your pets.

- If you are not ill with COVID-19, you can interact with your pet as you normally would, including walking, feeding, and playing. You should continue to practice good hygiene during those interactions (e.g., wash hands before and after interacting with your pet; ensure your pet is kept well-groomed; regularly clean your pet’s food and water bowls, bedding material, and toys).

- Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing ...