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...

🐾 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

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