MDR1 Gene Test for Border Collies

Good thinking on the MDR1 front — Border Collies are one of the herding breeds with a known elevated risk of the MDR1 mutation, which causes severe reactions to certain common drugs including some antiparasitic and anaesthetic medications. Getting this confirmed before any treatment is genuinely sensible preventive care, not overcaution. Before I point you to a specific test: is your Border Collie purebred or do you have any mixed-breed uncertainty? And are you purely after the MDR1 result, or would broader health screening be useful too?

That makes complete sense. Did your breeder do any genetic testing themselves? Some responsible Border Collie breeders test parents and can share results, which would save you the cost — worth a quick check with them if you haven't already.

Right — parent testing tells you the risk range but not the individual outcome, so you do need her own test. My recommendation is the Embark Breed & Health Kit. It's the most clinically rigorous consumer DNA test available in the UK, covers MDR1 directly, and tests for over 200 other health conditions at the same time — including conditions relevant to Border Collies like Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis. The results come with a clear report you can share with your vet, which is exactly what you want before any future procedures or prescriptions. It's not the cheapest option, but for a dog you're planning to have for the next 15 years it's worth doing once and doing properly.

Very straightforward — it's a cheek swab, takes about a minute, and most dogs tolerate it without any fuss. You register the kit online, post the swab back, and results typically come through in three to five weeks. Once you have the MDR1 result, make sure you add a note to her vet records and mention it at every future appointment — vets appreciate being told upfront rather than having to check themselves.

You're welcome — it's one of those things that's easy to put off but genuinely useful to have on file. The Embark kit is available on Amazon UK, so you can have it within a day or two. Good luck with the swab, and give your Border Collie a scratch from me.