UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory

𝗨𝗖 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 🧬🐴

UC Davis researchers, led by Center for Equine Health (CEH) director, Dr. Carrie Finno, have published their findings identifying the genetic cause of Equine Juvenile Spinocerebellar Ataxia (EJSCA), a devastating, fatal neurologic disease affecting American Quarter Horse foals.

🧬 Dr. Finno's team shared the discover early with the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) so we could offer a genetic test to help breeders make informed decisions and prevent producing affected foals.

EJSCA is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning:
🐴Carriers show no signs
🐴Two carriers bred together have a 25% risk of producing an affected foal

🧬 Testing is simple: just 20–30 hairs from each horse!

This discovery is a major step forward in equine health and gives breeders a powerful tool to protect future generations.

👉 Read more about the EJSCA study at https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-researchers-identify-genetic-cause-fatal-neurologic-disease-foals

👉 Learn more about EJSCA testing through VGL: https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/equine-juvenile-spinocerebellar-ataxia-ejsca

UC Davis Researchers Identify Genetic Cause for Fatal Neurologic Disease in Foals Researchers at the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, led by Dr. Carrie Finno and graduate student Briana Brown, have reported the genetic cause of a fatal neurologic disease, equine juvenile spinocerebellar ataxia (EJSCA), in American Quarter Horse foals. A genetic test is available thro...

We’re excited to be a here at UC Davis Aggie Vet 2026 sharing information about the applications of DNA testing to enhance animal health and wellbeing! There is still time to attend! Check out the program at https://ce.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/symposia-article/uc-davis-veterinary-conference-aggievet-2026

Gender Reveal: It’s a…sloth?!🦥🩷🩵

The VGL discovered the s*x of a Hoffmann two-toed baby sloth. Sloths do not have a physical s*x indicator, therefore, genetic testing is necessary to determine the s*x of the babies. After testing and analyzing the sloth’s samples, the VGL found that…It's a girl!

In order to discover the s*x of the baby sloth, our researchers examined a hair sample and looked for genetic markers specific to the X or Y chromosomes. Y markers were absent from the sample provided for testing, indicating that the baby sloth is female.

Genetic testing to determine s*x and parentage for zoos and their breeding programs plays a critical role in conservation, particularly for vulnerable and endangered species. Knowing the s*x of the animals is necessary when making informed breeding and housing decisions. The VGL is committed to supporting wildlife conservation efforts by donating our services to causes such as this.

Image description: A baby sloth hangs from a branch with her mother. The image is against a split pink and blue background with the title "Sloth Gender Reveal!"

🐾 Ever wonder how today’s dogs came to be? 🐺🐶

We’ve gathered the latest research to bring you the story of our shared history with dogs. Discover how early wolves lingering around human camps thousands of years ago evolved into the incredible diversity of specialized breeds we love today.

Read the article at https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/news/rise-modern-dog

𝗩𝗚𝗟 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀! 🧬🐺

Remember the coyote spotted on Alcatraz earlier this year?

DNA testing by VGL researcher, Dr. Benjamin Sacks, from the Mammalian and Ecology Conservation Unit of the VGL, has revealed how it got there, and it’s not what many expected!

Turns out, the adventurous coyote likely swam from Angel Island, not San Francisco as initially believed. Researchers used a s**t sample collected from the coyote to trace its origin through DNA testing, shedding light on just how far wildlife will travel to explore new territory.

Watch the full story at https://www.ktvu.com/video/fmc-pph4r9tzyjywt4sy

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: 𝗔𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗮 ("𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘆") 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗶𝗴𝘀 🧬🐷

The UC Davis VGL just launch their very first diagnostic test for pigs! Alymphoplasia, also referred to as “water belly”, is a heritable autosomal recessive disorder that affects Chester White pigs. Affected piglets are typically stillborn and display severe fluid accumulation. A genetic variant associated with this condition was identified by Dr. Jonathan Beever at the UTIA Genomics Center for the Advancement of Agriculture, University of Tennessee. Dr. Beever has shared the information with the VGL prior to publication so our laboratory could develop a genetic test to assist breeders in avoiding the production of affected piglets.

For more information, please visit https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/alymphoplasia

Whatever you are celebrating, we have a gift for you! Take 15.2% off your horse's DNA testing, now through May 3rd!

𝗩𝗚𝗟 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 -> 𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: 𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀

We are less than a week away from our last webinar of the series! Join us on April 29 at 6pm PST to hear how veterinary forensics helps solve crime and bring justice to the victims.

Forgot to register? No problem! There are still some spots left! Register now at https://ucdavis.zoom.us/webinar/register/4217722403593/WN_Uu_9yEVwRjaACphDevEdag

🧬𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚🐈

Is your cat struggling to hold their head up or showing sudden muscle weakness? It could be Hypokalemia—a manageable genetic condition that causes low levels of potassium.

This autosomal recessive condition is found in cats like the Burmese, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Sphinx cats, and more. Affected cats can present with sudden muscle weakness, particularly in the neck and/or limbs.

The VGL offers a test for this condition. To learn more, visit: https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/burmese-hypokalemia