By the end of the session, Mrs Stewart had acknowledged that a Siberian husky might not be the best breed for their circumstances and narrowed their choices to a miniature schnauzer or a bichon frisé and would make the final decision with her husband while armed with the breed information provided.
A staff member also provided some resources for finding an appropriate dog of either breed, including local breed rescue, online breed‐specific adoptions, and a list of breeders available from a national breeders' registry. The hospital provided a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document regarding pet adoption and basic care, forms for the prospective puppy seller to complete, and forms the practice would need once the final decision was made. A new puppy kit was provided, along with a container that the owner would use to bring a fecal sample on the first actual visit. Mrs Stewart was also invited to visit the Thursday evening “puppy kindergarten” class that was offered by one of the technicians, and they would introduce her to their basic temperament‐testing regimen and go over the socialization and training classes offered. A quick introduction was made to Dr Smith, whom she would see at the first scheduled visit, and she was invited to call back with any other questions. Mrs Stewart was assured that although it wasn't quite as involved as raising a baby, ABC Veterinary Hospital would be there to help her through the process every step of the way. The client‐to‐be left the practice armed with a much better understanding of dog ownership and with an already considerable loyalty to ABC Veterinary Hospital.
About three weeks later, Mrs Stewart came in with Schnitzel, an 8‐week‐old miniature schnauzer, and dutifully brought in a fecal sample in the container previously provided. Schnitzel was a fine, healthy specimen, with only a minor umbilical hernia that could be fixed at time of neutering. Mrs Stewart had read most of the material provided and had some questions about which pet health insurance plan might be best for Schnitzel. Dr Smith started Schnitzel on a sensible dietary regimen and reiterated some of the breed concerns, such as pancreatitis and calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Discussions about vaccination schedules, genetic screening, parasite control, nutrition, and proper socialization ensued, and then the long‐term healthcare plan was reviewed.
Most veterinary practices believe that clients should receive selection counseling before they purchase a pet, but most practices do not offer this important service.
Clients who select an appropriate pet are less likely to relinquish it, and are more prepared for the likely care the pet will need.
Discussing issues proactively allows the team to be regarded as advocates; when such counseling is not provided and problems ensue, the practice can sometimes appear adversarial (you never warned me about that).
Most selection counseling can be performed by the nonveterinary team and it can be a great bonding experience even without veterinary involvement.
It is better for veterinary teams to be involved preemptively in the selection process rather than complain about the results when they are not involved.
References
1 1 Ackerman, L.J. (2011). The Genetic Connection, 2e. Lakewood, CO: AAHA Press.
2 2 Landsberg, G., Hunthausen, W., and Ackerman, L. (2013). Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, 3e. Edinburgh: Elsevier.
Recommended Reading
1 American Animal Hospital Association‐American Veterinary Medical Association Preventive Health Guidelines Task Force (2011). J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 239 (5): 625–629.
2 Ackerman, L. (2020). Proactive Pet Parenting: Anticipating pet health problems before they happen. Problem Free Publishing.
3 Fivecoat‐Campbell, K. (2020). Adoption marketing. Marketing to the new adopters of shelter and rescue animals. AAHA Trends 36 (2): 51–55.
4 Partners for Healthy Pets: www.partnersforhealthypets.org
3.11 Integrating Genotypic and Phenotypic Testing
Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS
Global Consultant, Author, and Lecturer, MA, USA
3.11.1 Summary
In pet‐specific care, there is a focus on prevention and early detection. To accomplish early detection, both genotypic and phenotypic tests are needed. Genotypic tests examine an individual's DNA for mutations (variants) or markers that may be correlated with traits and disease risk. Phenotypic tests measure observable features (e.g., blood test results, heart rhythm, body weight, etc.) and diagnostic judgments are made on that basis, and comparisons with so‐called “normal” reference intervals (ranges).
Genotypic tests on their own have value, but they cannot always predict actual risk of diseases. In addition, genotypic tests are available primarily for conditions transmitted as simple Mendelian traits (e.g., von Willebrand disease, progressive rod‐cone dysplasia, mdr1, etc.), mostly controlled by one set of genes. On the other hand, the most common hereditary conditions encountered in veterinary practice (e.g., atopic dermatitis, hip dysplasia, seizure disorders, etc.) have a more complex pattern of inheritance, often influenced by environmental factors and multiple genes, and confirmed principally through phenotypic testing. Because of this, both genotypic and phenotypic testing are needed as part of most early detection schemes.
3.11.2 Terms Defined
Genotypic Testing: Testing that determines actual genetic mutations (variants) or markers of traits or conditions.
Phene: A trait or characteristic that is genetically determined.
Phenotypic testing: Testing that determines observable features of traits or conditions and compares them to normal or typical values.
Genotypic tests, those that rely on the detection of actual genetic mutations (variants) or markers (Table 3.11.1), have a lot of benefits. They can be detected at an early age, even as early as one day of age. They don't change over time, so if a genetic mutation is present (or not present) when tested, repeat testing is not needed – the results should not change over time. In fact, if the parents have been tested for a specific variant, the status of the offspring can be inferred from such testing. So, if two Labrador retrievers are both “clear” for progressive rod‐cone degeneration (prcd) and they are bred together, theoretically it should not be possible for the pups to develop that specific form of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) if the testing has been done by a reliable genetic testing
