What can DNA tell about hereditary disease risk?

The health analysis examines known genetic markers that are associated with hereditary conditions in animals. The result can provide a basis for follow-up, but cannot alone determine or rule out disease.

A genetic finding is not a diagnosis

A health analysis examines the markers listed for a particular test and species. A marker is a specific location in DNA; the genotype describes the variant combination recorded there. Finding a variant does not, by itself, establish that an animal is ill.

Interpretation depends on the documented inheritance pattern, the number of variant copies, species and breed relevance, and the evidence supporting the association. Other genes, age, environment and the animal’s actual health also matter.

Read the finding before the interpretation

  • No variant detected: the variant was not detected at the examined marker. This is not a guarantee that the animal is free from genetic disease.
  • One copy detected: carrier status may be appropriate for a documented recessive condition. One copy does not have the same meaning for every inheritance pattern.
  • Two copies detected: the genotype may be associated with the condition. It remains distinct from a clinical diagnosis.
  • Missing or unreliable data: a result that was not obtained, not tested or failed quality checks must remain unresolved.

Check the supporting evidence

Look for the marker, gene, genotype, inheritance pattern, relevant species and breeds, sources and limitations. GenePaws’s marker catalog draws on sources including OMIA and PubMed, but a citation must support the specific interpretation. A test covers only its stated markers—not every hereditary condition.

A breeding comparison likewise covers only the variants examined in both animals. It cannot guarantee healthy offspring. Breed ancestry is background information, not a substitute for evaluating the actual finding.

Discuss practical decisions with your vet

If your animal has symptoms, contact a vet regardless of the DNA result. Bring the complete result when discussing a finding. Do not change medication, follow-up intervals or special diets on the basis of DNA alone. Read more about nutrition and test availability.