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How do I activate a kit (barcode)?
The process we recommend is that you first register or if already registered then log into your account. Once registered proceed to add your animal(s). Place an order for that animal(s) and then activate your kit (barcode) to that animal order. Kits can only be activated upon or after payment is made.
How do I request a Parentage Report?
If all dogs (Dam/Sire/Offspring) have had a DNA Profile run by Orivet, then you will be able to request a complimentary Parentage Report via your online account. Click here for a document to take you through the process of requesting a Parentage Report.
Alternatively, if you are unable to request Parentage online, you can complete the Parentage Request Submission Form manually and send in with your samples.
How can I automate completing the Approved Collection Method (ACM) Form?
Approved Collection Method (ACM) Forms are available to download electronically and automatically input your selected animals' details, ready to take with you to the DNA collection to have signed off on. Click here for a guide as to how to do this.
How can I automate completing the Approved Collection Method (ACM) Form?
Approved Collection Method (ACM) Forms are available to download electronically and automatically input your selected animals' details, ready to take with you to the DNA collection to have signed off on. Click here for a guide as to how to do this.
What tests should I request for my breed?
Orivet's Full Breed Profiles make requesting tests simple. They target all the tests specific for you breed - diseases and traits plus a DNA Profile (Fingerprint). Full Breed Profiles are one fixed price no matter how many tests are included.
How long can I expect to wait for my results?
Once we receive your sample/s, we will send you an email confirming that your sample/s have arrived. From this date, clients can expect to receive results via email and available via your online account within 3-6 weeks.
What kinds of genetic tests does Orivet provide to pet owners?
Orivet offers genetic tests ranging from full breed profiles to individual tests like, DNA breed identification, DNA disease screening, DNA profiling and parentage confirmation, and DNA traits testing.
What specific tools does Orivet offer breeders?
Apart from the extensive list of genetic tests, Orivet provides online breeder’s tools for any registered user. Access to an online parentage confirmation tool (DNA profiles must be done on each dog in order for parentage to be confirmed), breeding strategies and outcomes, coat color tools and numerous fact sheets, not to mention a list of all of our approved collection agents.
Do I have to pay for shipping?
All products (except Breed ID and Genopet) are shipped to you free of charge. Products ship 1-2 business days from the date the order was created. Delivery times are based on those of Australia Post / your country’s postal services and Orivet does not accept any responsibility for any delivery delays. Should you require an Express or Priority Post service, an additional shipping payment will be required.
What is your AQIS Import Permit Number?
All overseas clients sending samples back to our Australian office must write the following statement on the front of the envelope:
AQIS Permit Number 0004988654 – Canine or Feline DNA Swab Samples Enclosed
(Non Pathogenic Samples)
What types of health risks can Orivet identify?
We offer over 130 single tests for dogs and 30 for cats, these identify recessive risks to diseases associated with nine specific categories – ophthalmologic, neurological, muscoskeletal, immunological, dermologic, urogenital, haemolytic, metabolic and phenotypic. Orivet Life Plans also identify risk common to the breed make up, age, weight, sex and lifestyle.
Why should someone use Orivet’s services?
We've been offering genetic testing for companion animals for over 15 years. We try to friendly service, access to geneticists to discuss results, fact sheets freely available to help educate owners, and an extensive range of tests and affordability.
DNA Collection Instructions
Collection instructions - mouth swab and blood. Click here to view.
Can I do the DNA collection myself?
Yes. Our kits are very user-friendly and designed so that anyone may easily collect DNA samples from their pets. However, it is recommended for breeders that they use their Veterinarian or one of our Accredited DNA Collection Agents to do the collection in order for the results to be an Approved Collection Method. Veterinarians or agents will need to sign off on the Approved Collection Method (ACM) form. Click here to download the form. Click here to find out how to view the Orivet Approved Collection Agents.
My animal may have had something to eat, will this impact the sample collection?
Ensure the animal has not had anything to eat - treats or food. If so, then wait for 20 minutes, a drink of water will help.
My pups have been weaning off mum, what and how long should I wait before I carry out a swab collection?
This should only be an issue if swabbing pups before they are microchipped. We recommend you try to separate pups from each other and mum for at least 10 mins if you need to submit a sample before microchipping.
Can I collect a DNA sample if my dam is pregnant or "on-heat"?
Yes, DNA is not affected by any of these factors.
My DNA sample I sent in has failed. What do I do now?
This can unfortunately happen with collection via cheek swabs. We will require you to re-collect a DNA sample and we will process this sample free of charge (if payment already made for initial result). Please note that blood samples rarely fail, should you prefer to do it this way. You will however need to get your Veterinarian to collect this blood sample.
How many swabs do you require per animal?
Regardless of how many tests you’ve requested for each animal, we only require 1 complete swab packet (2 or 3 cheek swabs) per animal for processing.
At what age can I collect a swab sample from my animal?
DNA used for genetic screening does not change as you get older so you can collect a sample at any age. Puppies or kittens that are weaning need to be separated from their mum for at least 10 minutes. Trying to swab a 2 week old offspring can be a challenge and epithelial cells may be at low quantaties.
My pet won’t allow me to swab their cheek, what should I do?
Some animals can be more difficult to swab than others and swabbing a cat can be more challenging than a dog. Usually the first swab is easier than the second as after the initial taste the animal can become resistant to the feel and taste of any second swab. Some suggestions are: Try to approach the animal with a level of calmness and from a less forceful manner. Perhaps do one swab at a time or offer a reward after the first swab, wait for 30 minutes and collect the second swab. If all else fails, consult a veterinarian about taking blood sample, as it never fails and ensures quality DNA!
Is Orivet Accredited?
Yes, Orivet holds Certificate Number FS 695241 and operates a QMS which complies with the requirements of ISO9001:2015 for "the coordination of outsourced sample collection, sample processing and genetic testing. Provision of results analysis, pedigree verification, customer liaison and access to online analysis for breeders, veterinarians and pet owners. Development of new genetic tests and software, application tools for animal pedigrees."
Is Orivet's testing run in an accredited facility?
Yes. Orivet can offer accredited testing in accordance with the recognised International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and NATA. The subcontractor also meets the requirements of A2LA R216 – Specific Requirements: Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program. NATA Accreditation Number 20553.
What Scientific Organisations are Orivet Members of?
Orivet are members (sponsors) of the International Partnership for Dogs https://dogwellnet.com/
IPFD is a a non-profit organization and its mission is to facilitate collaboration and sharing of resources to enhance the health, well-being and welfare of pedigreed dogs and all dogs worldwide. Orivet is also an Institutional Member of ISAG (Institutional Society of Animal Genetics).
Are the Profiling/Parentage markers(SNPs) used reliable and accurate.
Orivet has DNA Profiled over 150,000 dogs and cats since it began in October 2010. It was intrumental in developing the first set of canine SNPs for profiling/parentage. Orivet is also institutional members of the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG). This Panel of SNPs, together with another 2 Panels was used in the first canine comparison test with data presented at ISAG 2017.
How do I request a Parentage Report?
If all dogs (Dam/Sire/Offspring) have been DNA profiled by Orivet, then you are able to request a Parentage Report. Click here for a document to take you through the process of requesting a Parentage Report.
What type of genetic variation does Orivet detect?
The most abundant form of genetic variation in any genome is known as the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). A SNP is the substitution of a single nucleotide in a stretch of DNA. When this single nucleotide change reaches high frequency in a population it is referred to as SNP, however when this change results in the loss of function of a specific gene we refer to this as a mutation. With reference to canine genetic testing, a large proportion of disease causing mutations are the result of single nucleotide changes inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. These mutations can be assessed using small amounts of DNA extracted from a buccal swab collection.
How does Orivet detect single nucleotide mutations?
Orivet uses a technology known as Single Base Extension (SBE) to detect disease causing mutations. The principle of the technique involves using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify a specific region of the DNA harbouring the disease causing mutation. Once the target sequence is amplified we can use a synthetic DNA sequence called a primer which is complementary to the target sequence of interest. This primer binds directly adjacent to the position of the mutation and is extended by a single nucleotide. If a mutation is present, it will produce a unique profile in comparison to a normal control sample allowing Orivet to detect mutations with high accuracy.
What type of factors can affect the performance of this technology?
The quantity and quality of the DNA sample represents the most common factor affecting the performance of this technology. While buccal swabs represent an efficient and non-invasive method for DNA collection, the quality and quantity of sample is dependent on how many cheek cells are collected onto the brush. Too little DNA can result in a phenomenon call test dropout in which only a partial disease or DNA profile can be generated for that sample. To avoid this problem please read our detailed collection instructions.
How does the genetic testing process work?
A sample is collected from your animal – swab or blood – where DNA is extracted. The DNA is then interrogated against specific markers. These scientifically validated markers identify variations in DNA which are specific for diseases, traits or individual identification.
How do I know that my pet’s results are accurate?
Results are dependent on the quality and quantity of DNA collected and analyzed. This is why the collection process is a key starting point. All tests are developed from published, peer reviewed, scientific literature. Before any commercial offerings, tests are also validated internally against “known” positive controls (carriers and/or affected). A DNA profile is also run with samples and allows for individual identification and ensures no contamination.
How do I get started?
Click here for the processes for a Veterinarian.
I have a client bringing their animal to the clinic today and do not have any collection kits, what can I do?
If you have any sterile polyester mouth swabs you can use those. Do not use any wet or gel swabs. Or you can collect blood (EDTA).
How do you work with a person’s existing veterinarian?
Orivet can work with any veterinarian. Any pet owner will be asked to nominate their veterinarian who will receive a copy of their reports and if they register (free) they can have full access to the pet’s Life Plan. We encourage veterinary involvement to enjoy the full benefits the Life Plan has to offer.
Do you work with veterinarians who are not clients or partners with Orivet?
We can work with any veterinarian who is interested in incorporating personalised medicine into their practice. Invariably we would like to set up the pet’s primary care veterinarian with their own free account and give them access to our full suite of tools.
Why is pet health insurance important for pet owners?
Pet health insurance is an important, but often misunderstood, strategy for managing health care and its associated costs. Properly utilized, pet health insurance provides pet owners with piece of mind that they are prepared for whatever eventualities lay ahead, and many times those eventualities are an unavoidable part of pet ownership. All pets are susceptible to some risks, whether they are genetic, environmental or associated with lifestyle, and insurance is an established and well-regulated mechanism for managing those risks.
An interesting paradox exists in that while most veterinarians would like pet owners to have appropriate insurance when faced with major pet expenditures, they often do not have the training or the time to discuss the relative merits of different insurance plans and policies with pet owners. Because of this, it can be difficult for pet owners to select appropriate policies, so they have the coverage that they want, when it is needed. That’s why this FAQ was created.
How is pet health insurance different from other products?
When considering pet health insurance, it is important to realize that there are a lot of products out there that might sound like insurance, but not all are. The main distinguishing feature of true pet health insurance is that it is provided by actual insurance companies, which are government regulated and provide consumer protections. These shouldn’t be confused with discount plans, which are membership groups that provide defined discounted veterinary services at certain clinics. These also shouldn’t be confused with payment/wellness plans, in which defined services are delivered for an agreed-upon fee by a veterinary clinic. There are also a number of financing options available to pay for pet health care. All of these can be useful, but pet owners need to be clear what constitutes insurance, and what does not.
Pet insurance is a contractual obligation for registered insurance companies to reimburse pet owners for expenditures covered in their insurance policy that have been provided by a veterinarian. It’s important that you know the advantages and disadvantages of these different options.
Is pet health insurance similar to human health insurance?
Few people are interested in exploring their own health insurance coverage, so reviewing coverage on any insurance policy is not likely anyone’s idea of a good time. However, it might be reassuring to learn that pet health insurance is not like human health insurance at all; it’s actually property and casualty insurance, typically purchased directly from the insurance company or acceptable distributors, often through an internet portal without dealing directly with any insurance agent. That’s right. For the most part, insurance agents are absent from most pet health insurance policy discussions, so no pressure on that front.
Pet owners decide what they want to have covered and select an appropriate policy, and the insurance company agrees to reimburse pet owners according to the terms set forth in the policy, charging a “premium” that has been authorized by the government authority to represent the “risk” they are accepting. In the most common scenario, the pet owner pays the veterinarian for services provided, and submits the bill to the insurance company for reimbursement, less any deductibles or co-pays specified in the policy. The reimbursement is often then received by the pet owner within a few weeks.
How do I select an appropriate pet health insurance policy?
While pet health insurance is much less complicated than human health insurance, it’s still important to select a policy that is appropriate for one’s needs, from a company that can be trusted. The premiums that are charged for policies are usually a fairly direct reflection of what the insurance company intends to pay out in reimbursements, so in most cases, you get what you pay for. There are very inexpensive policies that only pay out in cases of catastrophe (e.g., a pet hit by car), to moderately-priced policies that cover most medical conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus), to more expensive policies that cover not only medical issues, but prevention and early-detection costs as well (e.g., vaccination, parasite control, etc.).
The amount of coverage is a personal choice, but the cheaper the plan, the fewer services are likely to be covered. The cheapest plans tend to be accident-only, and cover the one-time costs associated with a calamity. The most expensive plans tend to cover accidents, medical conditions, medications, therapeutic diets, and potentially also vaccination, spay/neuter surgery, and even dental cleanings. There are also a variety of polices that provide in-between levels of care. While having insurance of any kind in place is useful, it is important to be aware of what services are excluded from policies if pet owners are to make valid apples-to-apples comparisons.
What should I look for in pet health insurance coverage?
All insurance policies define what is covered in the policy, and also what is excluded from coverage. The most common exclusion is for pre-existing conditions, problems that have been identified in the pet prior to the insurance policy taking effect. For example, if a pet has arthritis prior to being covered by insurance, it should be anticipated that the ongoing care of arthritis will be excluded from policy coverage. This is one of the reasons why it is so important that pets have insurance coverage from an early age, when nothing is considered pre-existing and the pet appears completely healthy. Ideally, coverage should be started by around 8 weeks of age to get the most benefit out of insurance, but insurance should be considered for pets of any age.
Some pet health insurance policies extend the concept of exclusion to conditions known or believed to have a genetic component. So, if a certain breed is known to be “predisposed” to certain ailments, coverage of that condition may be excluded in some policies. The best way to safeguard against this is to buy a policy that clearly states that genetic (hereditary) problems are covered by the policy, and to what extent. It should be expected that such policies are going to cost slightly more, but they are well worth it, since it can be disappointing to have insurance, only to learn that conditions you would most like to have covered won’t be covered. Similarly, some policies can appear cheaper if they don’t offer chronic care coverage. So, for example, if a pet develops diabetes mellitus during the policy term, it will be covered, but when the term next renews, the medical condition could be considered “pre-existing” and excluded from further coverage. Everyone wants to save money on insurance, but such short-term savings are rarely worth it. If at all possible, go with a company and a policy that will provide ongoing care for chronic and hereditary conditions, and not exclude conditions likely to occur in the breed being covered. Yes, you can save money by excluding more conditions, but why would you?
How about the policies that are available through this site?
We do not make any representation about the policies available through this site since we are not an insurance company, but during our review process, we try to include policies that seem to provide coverage for accident and illness, chronic care, and genetic conditions – things that most pet owners expect to find in a pet health insurance policy. We don’t actually sell any insurance directly, but try to simplify the selection process; coverage is actually purchased directly from the insurers depicted, and we recommend that you carefully read the policy information provided by those insurers.
It is also important to realize that the price for the policies depicted is based on features such as place of residence, breed, age, and gender, so that is why this information is requested. The price of the insurance is quoted directly by the insurance company, and paid directly to the insurance company, and we do not add anything to the cost quoted. The price you see featured here is exactly the same as if you had contacted the insurance company directly.
What about exclusions, deductibles, and co-pays?
Virtually all insurance policies have deductibles, which are set amounts of money that are “deducted” from the insurance reimbursement. Some policies have deductibles that apply per incident, while others might have an annual deductible, so that once that amount is reached, further deductibles won’t apply for the remainder of the term. Deductibles are meant to keep premiums affordable, by ensuring that pet owners have some stake in the process.
On the other hand, co-pays reflect the relative proportion of the covered amount to be paid for by the insurance company and the pet owner. For example, while there are a variety of possible co-pays, depending on what pet owners would like the premium to be, a typical co-pay may be that the insurance company will reimburse 90% (or 80% or 70%) of the covered amount, after the deductible, while the pet owner will be responsible for the remaining 10% (or 20% or 30%). If owners are prepared for higher co-pays, they will likely see slightly lower premiums, but they will be paying for a higher percentage of their pet’s care. Most policies reimburse on the basis of the veterinarian’s invoice for services provided, but some still reimburse on the basis of a benefit schedule, a catalog of fees for specific services. Policies that pay on the basis of the veterinarian’s invoice make it easier for pet owners to predict what their final reimbursement will be. In addition, most insurance policies do not cover items that are considered non-medical, such as tax, grooming, boarding, waste fees, etc.
Is pet insurance worth it?
While it might be possible to replicate coverage by pet owners making contributions to a pet-specific savings account each month, it is important to realize that almost no pet owners take this kind of disciplined approach to saving for a pet’s health care needs. In addition, it would take years to save enough funds to cover potential veterinary expenses, especially given that it is not possible to predict when those funds will actually be needed. Sooner or later, most pets are going to develop medical problems that require ongoing medical care and monitoring (e.g., arthritis), need a referral to a specialist, or have a mishap that requires a visit to an emergency clinic. For most people, having a pet health insurance policy is the best way to deal with those likelihoods. Without such insurance, it can be very expensive to provide the type of care that most pet owners would prefer.
When deciding whether pet insurance is worth it, pet owners might try to balance what they paid out in premiums against what they spent for veterinary care, but insurance really doesn’t work that way. When you ensure your home, you don’t consider it a waste of money unless your house goes up in flames, and the same is true of pet insurance. In a best-case scenario, hopefully you will never need to use your insurance, but it’s meant to be there if you do. Likewise, it makes no sense for pet owners to pay for an insurance policy for several years, and then cancel it because they really haven’t used the coverage yet. Insurance provides “peace of mind” for pet owners in addition to providing potentially outsized benefits. For example, a pet owner may have owned a policy for only a month and thus have paid little on the policy so far, but still be reimbursed for the total amount (less deductibles and copays) on the basis of the coverage provided. The purpose of pet health insurance is to have money available when you need it, especially for unanticipated pet care expenses.
So, what do I do next?
Because there are so many things to think about when it comes to pet health insurance, it might be tempting to just do nothing and avoid the decision making altogether. This is probably not a good idea when it comes to a pet for which you have pledged your lifelong care. If you are independently wealthy, then you likely have the funds to provide the level of care you envision, but if this is not the case, then consider getting a pet health insurance policy for your pet, and do so as soon as possible, preferably by 8 weeks of age (before anything happens that would then be considered pre-existing). If your pet is older than this, do it now without further delay.
Give serious thought about what kind of coverage makes the most sense, and for many pet owners, that means seriously reflecting on issues like coverage of potential genetic and hereditary conditions, chronic care (provision of coverage beyond just the current term), and whether you want virtually all veterinary services covered or whether you would be satisfied with insurance covering accidents and illness, but paying for wellness and preventive care (e.g., vaccinations, parasite control, dental cleanings, etc.) on your own. However, the most important part is to “act” and to get pet health insurance in place as soon as possible…so that it is there when you need it. Follow the link on this site, provide some basic information that the insurers need to calculate your premium, and you’ll get an immediate quote that you can choose to accept and get your pet protected as soon as possible.
I am breeder and I heard Orivet and PetInsurance.com.au are offering special packages for breeders?
Yes this is correct, we have exciting offers for responsible breeders wishing to send their puppies to their new homes with pet insurance. Click here to find out more.
