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SLO Project

Please Note:
The buccal swab kit and/or blood sample you submit is for participation in a research study only.
This research does NOT test to verify if your dog does or does not have the disease.
All sample submissions are kept confidential and results for individual dogs will NOT be made available.

 

What is Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (SLO)?

Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (SLO) is a disorder in Bearded Collies that causes loss of toenails. The age of onset is typically between 3-8 years of age affecting 1-2 nails and eventually progressing to all nails. SLO requires lifelong fatty acid supplementation.  For more information about SLO, please visit the below resources:

Breeds under study for this project:

Bearded Collies

A Note Regarding Submission of Blood Samples

  • Although we continue to collect DNA from buccal swab samples, newer research technologies prefer DNA extracted from blood samples. Thus, we are seeking blood samples from affected and unaffected dogs. Affected dogs with veterinary diagnosis can be submitted from dogs of any age. We also need samples from dogs over the age of 8 years (the older, the better) who are free from the disease under study.
  • There is no fee for participating in this study although the owner bears the cost of blood collection and shipping of the sample to the laboratory. Some veterinarians may collect and ship samples at no charge for research purposes – please check with your veterinarian. 
  • In the event that your dog’s DNA from the blood sample is used directly in the development of a commercially available diagnostic test developed by this laboratory, the results of the test for that dog will be provided at no cost upon your written request following the availability of that commercial test.
  • Please note UC Davis Campus Holidays and Closures when sending a blood sample.

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