DNA testing

[yorkshiregal]

Hi there, I want to find out the sex of my GCC, so i called the only avian vet in my area. I asked about price and the receptionist quoted $95 and $60 for the check up. Does this sound reasonable? I thought it was outrageous. (I take my dogs to the vet all the time so I'm used to paying $$$)
I checked online because the pet shop told me hat you can buy kits online that you mail in. I found a couple of sites but not sure i can trust them?
Does anyone know or use the online testing? and is that the kind of price a vet would charge?

 

[RavensGryf]

First, the $60 charge to get in the door for an avian vet is on the LOW side actually! Especially in SoCal. It is usually AT LEAST $60 for birds but commonly $80.

Of course the DNA is going to be much more at the vet, and I've successfully used a home kit before. It was in 2005, so I don't remember the cost but I think something like $25 maybe? Avian Biotech or Zoogen. Look at their websites.

 

[JerseyWendy]

There ARE reliable online sources, and it's a whole lot cheaper than what your vet quoted you.

You request a DNA card (they should be free), collect a drop or two of blood on the card, send it in along with your payment, and you'll have the results shortly after they receive it.

Avianbiotech.com - Avian Sexing Center

 

[RavensGryf]

I don't know if they still do it this way, but I had the option to pluck several feathers from a certain area on the body (I think they wanted the breast).

I would think blood would be the most reliable, but this bird's sex was confirmed to be accurate later when she had x-rays and surgery.

 

[Timothy]

http://www.healthgene.com/avian-sample-collection-kit/

I use HealthGene, they are great! I've tested over 15 birds with them and its 100% every time for me

They only cost 12 dollars, and even can do egg shells if you want! I reccomend clipping a toe for the blood, its easy. I don't have the heart to do feathers.

You even get results within 1-2 business days

They will also test for any disease if you want

http://www.healthgene.com/avian-sample-collection-kit/

 

[yorkshiregal]

Thanks everyone! So the $60 is good news. What do they do at a first visit RavensGryf?
Thanks Timothy for the web info. kinda worried about getting the blood arghh She/he is gonna actually bite my ear lobe off when its over!

 

[Timothy]

Oh and i should mention - Even though you can get the DNA Sexing done over the internet via mail very cheap. I Highly recommend you take your birdie to the vet. They do tests to make sure he/she is in tip top shape and school you on any special needs. Plus you establish a baseline norm in case there IS an emergency, God forbid!

 

[RavensGryf]

Thanks everyone! So the $60 is good news. What do they do at a first visit RavensGryf?

I hate to say, but the $60 is basically just to get in the door! They should do basics like weight check, listen to heart, inspect eyes, and throat, maybe feel for lumps, etc. Then the diagnostics are all separate charges. It's a good idea to get a CBC and basic blood panel (check red/white cell level, check organ function). Also it's really worth the extra cost to do blood tests for viral disease testing which your vet should be able to tell you more about. There is only so much you can tell by a "visual only" inspection of a bird.

 

[drj130]

I took Pat in for for (his/her) first check-up back in July. The total cost just for the initial check-up (no blood work or anything like that) was $79.50. Now when I take Pat back to get checked out again (2 months after Pat has been on a pellet diet), they are going to do a Avian Mini profile: CBC and Chem (baseline things) they will also do the DNA sexing for me as well. What is nice, is that they will honor the special price they had of $50.00 (if I remember right, they had 40% off)for that, and for the other blood work, it will be $124.00. Total for Pat's second visit will be $174.00. The blood work will be worth it in the long run I believe. I want Pat to be around for a long time. (With my bad habits, Pat may outlive me. lol)

 

[JellyBean]

I took JellyBean to his first visit to a proper Avian Vet in Ireland (he had been to a vet, but was not specialist) A two hour drive! First, it was a great experience, just looking how the vet handled and petted and examined a bird.. she was amazing. She checked everything, talked to me about diet, possible harmful things in the house and then did blood tests for organ function and viruses - she sent me out of the room for this as she said she did not want JellyBean associating me with pain! I was sitting in the waiting room listing to JellyBean call "JellyBean, Baby, Tara's Baby" at the full pitch of his voice! When I went back, he was perched on the vets shoulder enjoying a treat... The whole thing cost me about $200 (160 euro), but I went home happy!

 

[yorkshiregal]

Thanks everyone! I will for def take her to the vet. I've spent so much time at the vets this past month (one of my dogs died) I have been putting off taking Lollipops.
I sent off for the DNA kit yesterday. I feel like an expectant mum. I'm so excited to find out what sex she is? I want a boy lol. Thanks again! I just love this forum.

 

[RavensGryf]

Thanks everyone! I will for def take her to the vet. I've spent so much time at the vets this past month (one of my dogs died) I have been putting off taking Lollipops.
I sent off for the DNA kit yesterday. I feel like an expectant mum. I'm so excited to find out what sex she is? I want a boy lol. Thanks again! I just love this forum.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog .

Good luck with the DNA! I know, it's fun and exciting. Although you want a boy, you said you're 'excited to find out what sex "she" is'.. Are you thinking it might be a girl for some reason? Obviously we can't tell for sure with GCC. Sometimes females have really small heads in comparison to males, which is common in many species. Can't wait to hear the result

 

[yorkshiregal]

I would just like a boy, RavensGryf no particular reason. Lolli does have a small head, now I'm looking at it lol

 

[yorkshiregal]

Lolli is a boy!
$12 test #awesome #easy think Lolli needs a manly name change

 

[weco]

Lolli is a boy!
$12 test #awesome #easy think Lolli needs a manly name change

And all the free support you got here ! ! !