you. The reports should have the specific genes tested and your dog's results. This information is essential for genetic counseling to be helpful to you.

- What are inherited genetic diseases? •

Inherited genetic diseases are diseases that can be passed from parent to offspring through reproduction. Every dog has two copies of each gene (inherited biological blueprints); one copy from their mother and one from their father. Genes contain the information used to create and maintain cells of the body. Mistakes (known as mutations) that occur in genes can result in disease by disrupting normal processes of creating and maintaining these cells. Nearly every cell in the canine body contains an entire copy of the approximately 20,000 genes that interact with each other to bring about the physical traits that make an individual who they are. Genetic diseases can involve any system of the body and dogs can present with a wide variety of clinical signs depending on the particular gene and organ system involved.

- What possible results might I receive? •

For each test, you have the possibility of receiving the following results: normal, carrier, or at-risk (affected). Normal means that your dog has two copies of the "wildtype" or normal DNA sequence for the gene being tested. Carrier means that your dog carries one copy of the "wildtype" sequence (normal) and one copy of the mutation. For most diseases, your dog will not be affected with the disease, but simply a carrier. Carriers can pass this mutated copy of the gene to half of their offspring and depending on the genetics of their mate, may produce at-risk or affected puppies. An at-risk result means that your dog has two copies of the mutation and is at-risk for developing the disease. In this case, these dogs carry two copies of the mutation so that all offspring will inherit at least one copy of the mutation and depending on its mate, is at high-risk of producing affected puppies.

- Do you submit my results to OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for • Animals)?

Paw Print Genetics has a strict privacy policy and does not share your data with any third party without your permission. In keeping with this policy, we do not submit data to the OFA. Please check the OFA website (https://www.ofa.org/diseases/dna-tested-diseases/all- dna-tests) to see which laboratories that they accept specific tests from before submitting your request to them. If you do not see Paw Print Genetics on their list, please ask the OFA for clarification. The OFA makes the determination regarding which tests they accept from each laboratory. Once confirmed with the OFA that they accept our test results, print your Paw Print Genetics report, complete the OFA form found on their website and submit those with the required payment to OFA.

- Is it possible to get faster results if I'm in a hurry? •

Once the laboratory has received your samples, it takes about 14 days for final results. You will receive an e-mail notification when your results are ready. You can access your results and download/print your reports from our website through the account that you created when you ordered your tests. If you need your results rushed, the most important step is getting your samples to the laboratory as quickly as possible. We are happy to try to rush your