What Role Do Vets Play in Pet Genetic Preservation and Cloning?
Ok, you’ve done the hard part. You’ve thought of your future after your pet passes. Preserving your pet’s genes opens a new window for extending your relationship with your beloved pet. Now what? What’s the next step? Let’s walk through the detailed steps of what to do next.
1. First, check out the ViaGen Pets website. This is a good place to begin getting an idea of what preserving your pet’s genes really means and what that entails. Make sure to check out the FAQs.
2. Next, you’ll want to talk to a ViaGen Pets Representative to discuss the process of genetic preservation (GP). At this time you can also ask any questions you have about cloning your pet. If you don’t feel like you have further questions at this time after visiting the website, then you can skip the call and just place the order for a Genetic Preservation Kit online.
We Will Provide Your Vet With All of the Information and Instructions Needed for Biopsies
3. Before a Genetic Preservation Kit is sent out, you’ll want to talk to your veterinarian. If your veterinarian has not worked with ViaGen Pets before, he or she can review information for veterinarians on our website and can request biopsy instructions to look over in advance. You can let your vet know that your pet will need a simple skin punch biopsy. If they have further technical questions, they can always call ViaGen Pets. If needed, you can also ask a ViaGen Pets Representative for a referral veterinarian in your area. These vets are familiar with the procedure and the purpose of it.
4. You will need to set up a biopsy appointment with your veterinarian prior to the Genetic Preservation Kit being sent out. The Kit will have a two week lifespan so it’s best to have it sent a couple days before the appointment. If you have a routine appointment already scheduled, like teeth cleaning, it might be preferable to do this biopsy collection at the same time.
5. ViaGen Pets’ genetic preservation procedure requires two skin tissue biopsy samples, but recommends four. So the maximum tissue collection your veterinarian will perform is 4 tissue biopsy samples, 4 mm in size each. The tissue biopsy collection is a very simple and straightforward procedure that does not harm your pet. Your veterinarian should already be familiar with the biopsy instructions as they routinely perform biopsies for other purposes at their clinic. You should speak with your veterinarian about the cost of biopsy collection as it is separate from ViaGen Pets’ cost for genetic preservation.
Your Cloned Pet Should Have Normal Veterinary Care
Once you are ready to clone your pet, ViaGen Pets will already have frozen millions of your pet’s cells. The cloning procedure will be done by ViaGen Pets and will not involve your local veterinarian. Once your cloned twin is born, he or she will be examined and monitored by ViaGen Pets’ own veterinarians. Once it is time to take your new baby home, you should then schedule a follow up exam with your veterinarian to have any normal additional vaccinations administered and/or routine heartworm and flea/tick prevention.
And as with any other pet, you’ll want to continue to visit your veterinarian for routine veterinary care.
Posted by Sanaz.