CombiBreed Testing
Sending Genetic Material to the Netherlands for Testing
What is CombiBreed?
Hereditary diseases are those that are passed on from parents to the offspring. When it became possible for pet owners to test their animals for hereditary diseases, demand for these genetic tests increased significantly. Breeders were given the opportunity to optimize their breeding choices and prevent their animals from developing health problems.
The testing of Kooikers that was developed by the University of Utrecht is now being done by Combibreed.
The only way to do the genetic testing for Hereditary Necrotising Myelopathy (ENM) and Polymyositis is by purchasing the associated DNA kits from CombiBreed. You will be provided with a specific swab/s to provide to your veterinarian in order to collect a verified sample from the cheek of the identified animal. The swabs are then returned to their lab for testing.
Ordering Test Kits
The following link provides information regarding the Kooikers being tested and allows the sharing of data with the University of Utrecht.
You can order tests for a single dog or for a litter (after they have been registered). First you fill in the required fields for your dog/s being tested and yourself, and continue to follow through the prompts. (When you asked to agree to submitting data to Fit2Breed, this means the genetic data can be used to complete future DNA testing for Kooikerhondjes– this is very important, so please do so!)
After you have completed the required information on your dog/s, it suggests that if you are from outside of the Netherlands, you order the tests through CombiBreed. It provides a link to take you directly to the required CombiBreed website.
The H561 is the choice one that the majority of Kooiker owners will require. It provides the necessary health tests as well as the genetic testing. If you are only wishing to test for certain things, some kits may be purchased individually.
H561 Combibreed Kooiker (this package contains the SNP-genotyping for Fit2Breed and the DNA tests for PM, ENM and VWD) - €193.15 incl VAT
PLEASE NOTE: At checkout, you need to add a witness verification form for each kit ordered. This is a form that your veterinarian will fill in ensuring the dog being tested is the same as the dog indicated, as verified by its microchip.
Once you have completed your order you will receive a package containing the sampling kit.
Instructions for sample collection - to be done by a veterinarian!
After ordering a DNA test, you will receive one or more Copan swabs. Please only use these for sampling; other types of swabs are not accepted.
Use a separate Copan swab for each animal.
Please label the tube of the swab with at least the name and chip or registration number of the animal.
Do not allow the animal to eat and/or drink from the mother for 1 to 2 hours before sampling. Drinking water is allowed.
To avoid contamination with DNA from another animal, do not allow the animals to get into contact with each other for 1 to 2 hours before sampling.
Carefully open the swab package; avoid contact of the swab brush with your hands or other surfaces.
During the sampling, stroke the brush of the swab firmly against the buccal (cheek) mucosa for at least 10 seconds, rotating the swab several times to ensure that there are enough cells on the brush. The genetic test can only be performed if there is sufficient genetic material on the brush.
Unscrew and remove the cap of the tube. Be careful and prevent contact between the liquid content of the tube and your skin. In case this accidentally happens, please rinse your skin thoroughly with water.
Insert the used swab into the tube.
Break the swab at the breaking point. Replace the cap on the tube and close tightly.
