How do I find a vet who tests for Scrapie??

[secuono]

I'm finding pages back from 2007 that in 2 years there will be a test available to everyone. So that means we have a test out there now.
But I can't for the life of me find any current info to find out who tests them.
Anyone know who I call to get my sheep tested in VA??

 

[SheepGirl]

I have not heard of a live test for Scrapie, but if they die, you can look at their brain and it's all spongey, then the sheep is diagnosed with Scrapie. However, you can get them genotyped for their Scrapie resistance.

 

[secuono]

There is a test where they take tissue from the 3rd eye lid.
Who does the dna testing to see if they are R or w/e the resistant code is?
http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0004.html
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/nov98/test1198.htm

 

[SheepGirl]

GeneCheck I believe does Scrapie genotyping.

There are two codons you can test at: 171 and 136. Usually 136 is only tested for QR or QQ stud rams. Codon 171 is the most common one to test at and it can come up as RR, QR, or QQ. RR and QR are resistant to Scrapie (C strain) and QQ is susceptible. Codon 136 tests for strain A Scrapie resistance...your sheep can show up as AA, AV, or VV. AA is resistant and AV and VV are susceptible.

RR sheep are always AA.

There is also a codon 156 that can be tested at, however, it is primarily done for research purposes.

Note: Just because a sheep is susceptible to Scrapie does not mean they will develop it. They need to be exposed to the prion in order to develop it.