FAQs / Questions & Answers

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• About the WISDOM Panel™ MX

  What is the WISDOM Panel™ MX mixed breed dog test?

  The WISDOM Panel™ MX test, available through our website and at veterinary offices and clinics, is the most comprehensive DNA-based mixed breed test for dogs. The test identifies more than 130 AKC-recognized breeds that may be present in a mixed breed dog and will allow veterinarians to answer one of the most frequently asked questions of pet owners, “What breeds are in my dog?”

  Knowing more about a dog's breed makeup may help owners work with their vets to develop optimal care and wellness plans for their pets based on their specific breed mixes. Veterinarians are key to interpreting the results and helping owners make the most out of this breed knowledge.

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  What does the “MX” stand for in WISDOM Panel™ MX?

  The MX in WISDOM Panel™ MX stands for “Mix.”

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  How does the WISDOM Panel™ MX test work and what information will it provide to my patients?

  The WISDOM Panel™ MX test requires a small blood sample that can be part of a routine veterinary visit – such as a new puppy’s second vet visit or an adult dog’s vaccination. Just two to three weeks following the test, Mars Veterinary will provide owners and veterinarians with a detailed, customized report. This report will document the breeds detected, offer breed-based behavioral profiles and provide insights about breed-driven physical attributes. The test results present an opportunity for owners and veterinarians to work together to develop appropriate care and well-being plans.

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  To whom are the WISDOM Panel™ MX test results sent? To the veterinarian? To the consumer?

  WISDOM Panel™ MX test results are delivered to the pet owner. But since veterinarians continue to be central to correctly interpreting the test data and properly communicating it to dog owners – veterinary clinics have the option of having a copy of the report sent to them as well.

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  How accurate is the test?

  WISDOM Panel™ MX is used to help determine the breed makeup of a dog. Validation testing has resulted in an average accuracy* of 84% in first generation cross-bred dogs of known parentage. The breeds in this validation study represent 45% of AKC registrations. WISDOM Panel™ MX is not intended to predict disease or behavior in any particular dog.

  *Accuracy was determined by average positive predictive value across breeds studied

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  How will dog owners use this information?

  Information from the breed analysis test will help pet owners to better understand their dog’s breed makeup. The test results present an opportunity for owners and veterinarians to work together to create care plans specifically tailored to the unique needs of individual pets.

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  Can the test be used to identify health issues or disease predispositions?

  WISDOM Panel™ MX is used to help determine the breed makeup of a mixed breed dog – it is not designed to determine which disease traits – if any – might be present in a dog. The real value in the test is that with knowledge of a dog’s breed mix, such as physical and behavioral traits, owners can work together with their veterinarians to develop a more targeted care plan for their dog and this one-time investment helps owners feel confident they are providing their dog with the best care possible.

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  How do the science, approach and usefulness of the WISDOM Panel™ MX differ from other mixed breed dog tests?

  The WISDOM Panel™ MX is the most comprehensive DNA-based mixed breed test for dogs. It identifies more than 130 American Kennel Club-recognized breeds that may be present in mixed breed dogs, covering 99 percent of AKC registered dogs, and is the only mixed breed analysis test being offered exclusively through veterinarians.
  
  As veterinarians play an important role in the health and well-being of pets, this test is the only mixed breed test administered by veterinarians who can correctly interpret the data and properly communicate it to dog owners. The WISDOM Panel™ MX tests will help veterinarians work with pet owners to develop optimal care and well-being plans for their canine companions and ultimately strengthen the pet-owner bond.
  
  The WISDOM Panel™ MX test requires a small blood sample that can be part of a routine veterinary visit – such as a puppy’s second vet visit or an adult dog’s vaccination. In about two to three weeks following the test, Mars Veterinary will provide owners and veterinarians with a detailed, customized report. This report will document the breeds detected, offer breed-based behavioral profiles and provide insights about breed-driven physical attributes.

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  Why use a blood sample rather than a cheek swab (buccal smear) sample?

  Blood samples reliably provide large amounts of high quality DNA. Mouth swab derived DNA samples are very variable with high failure rates when analyzing across 300 genetic markers.

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  Scientifically, how did we get to the point to where we can identify the breed makeup of mixed-breed dogs?

  WISDOM Panel™ MX is the result of years of extensive research and draws on the expertise of scientists at the internationally respected WALTHAM® Center for Pet Nutrition in the United Kingdom, along with leading veterinarians, universities and breed organizations throughout the world.
  
  As a result of the analysis of more than 19 million DNA markers from more than 13,000 dogs, the WISDOM Panel™ MX test is able to identify more than 130 breeds that may be present in mixed breed dogs. This represents 99 percent of dogs registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

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  How can I get more information about the breed analysis test?

  If you provide us with a mailing address or e-mail address, we will be sure to provide you with follow-up information. We’re also happy to follow up with a phone call to provide you with additional information. Also, you can register for e-mail updates.

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  Why would anyone want to pay for the mixed breed test?

  The mixed breed test helps answers the question frequently asked by owners – what breeds are in my dog? With knowledge of a dog’s breed mix, owners can work together with their veterinarians to develop a more targeted care plan for their dog and this one-time investment helps owners feel confident they are providing their dog with the best care possible.

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  Can the breed analysis test be used for purebred dogs?

  No, the breed analysis test is designed for use only in dogs that are mixed breed to help determine their breed history.
  
  In order to determine if a dog is a purebred, Mars Veterinary would have needed to have DNA samples that cover all family lines in each breed of purebred dog. But since their focus was the development of a test capable of accurately determining the breeds in a mixed breed dog, they did not focus on collecting such a catalogue of purebred dog DNA samples.

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  Why can’t this test detect purebreds? Is Mars Vet worried about lawsuits?

  The WISDOM Panel™ MX test was designed to determine the breed makeup of mixed breed dogs. Its development involved the analyses of more than 19 million DNA markers from more than 13,000 purebred and mixed breed dogs to best tell breeds in a mixed breed dog apart.
  
  In order to determine if a dog is a purebred, Mars Veterinary would have needed to have DNA samples that cover all family lines in each breed of purebred dog. But since their focus was the development of a test capable of accurately determining the breeds in a mixed breed dog, they did not focus on collecting such a catalogue of purebred dog DNA samples.

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  Can this test be used by regulatory/animal control officials to determine whether breeds are legislated or banned in a particular community?

  The WISDOM Panel™ MX is designed and intended to be used solely to identify the genetic history of a mixed breed dog and no other purpose is authorized or permitted.
  
  The WISDOM Panel™ MX is not intended to predict behavior in any particular dog. Each dog is unique and their physical and behavioral traits will be the result of multiple factors, including genetics, training, handling and environment.

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  Can shelters use this test to determine which dogs may be the least “adoptable”, thereby putting certain dogs more at risk for euthanasia?

  The WISDOM Panel™ MX is designed and intended to be used solely to identify the genetic history of a mixed breed dog and no other purpose is authorized or permitted.
  
  The WISDOM Panel™ MX is not intended to predict behavior in any particular dog. Each dog is unique and their physical and behavioral traits will be the result of multiple factors, including genetics, training, handling and environment.

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  I’ve heard some rumors that the test results are not accurate. Is this true?

  WISDOM Panel™ MX is used to help determine the breed makeup of a dog. Validation testing has resulted in an average accuracy* of 84% in first generation cross-bred dogs of known parentage. The breeds in this validation study represent 45% of AKC registrations. WISDOM Panel™ MX is not intended to predict disease or behavior in any particular dog.

  *Accuracy was determined by average positive predictive value across breeds studied.

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• About Mars Veterinary, Mars, Incorporated and the WALTHAM® Center for Pet Nutrition

  Who is Mars Veterinary?

  Mars Veterinary is a new division of Mars, Incorporated, a company known for innovative consumer and pet food brands that are trusted by people around the world.
  
  Mars Veterinary has developed a sophisticated genetic test that will allow pet owners, veterinarians and care providers to gain insight into the genetic make up of their individual mixed breed dog. Mars Veterinary is reaching new frontiers in canine genomic science, discovering important genetic markers that will help to identify breed mixes and determinants of physical and behavioral traits. These major scientific advances will allow veterinarians and owners to care for dogs with unprecedented wisdom.

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  What does Mars Veterinary offer to veterinary practices?

  Through research into pet genetics, Mars Veterinary is dedicated to revolutionizing personalized pet care by strengthening the bond between people and their loving companions.
  
  Mars Veterinary has launched the first commercially available genetic test, available exclusively through veterinarians, for detecting breeds present in a mixed breed dog. The WISDOM Panel™ MX test was developed in conjunction with the scientists at the internationally respected WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition, from research utilizing the recently sequenced canine genome and data from vast numbers of dogs from the US, Europe and Japan. The test scans for patterns of genetic markers that represent distinct breed signatures for most of the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.

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  Why is Mars, Incorporated involved in canine genetics?

  Mars, Incorporated, a company known for innovative consumer and pet food brands that are trusted by people around the world, has been deeply involved with canine genetics for many years. Mars, Incorporated has consistently provided innovation in products that meet the needs of pets and owners.

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  What is the relationship between MARS, MARS Veterinary and WALTHAM?

  Mars Veterinary draws on work carried out at the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition®, the leading authority on pet care and nutrition, as well as the expertise of respected veterinarians, universities and breed organizations throughout the world.
  
  Located in rural Leicestershire, England, the renowned WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition has been a leading scientific authority in pet nutrition and well-being, advancing the frontiers of humane scientific research into the nutrition and healthy longevity of companion animals for over 30 years.
  
  Their state-of-the art research program focuses on the nutritional and behavioral needs of companion animals and develops products which meet these needs in a practical way. It is WALTHAM that provides the science behind world-leading Mars pet care companies. WALTHAM has a leading reputation among pet owners, breeders, veterinarians and academics alike.

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• About the Business of the WISDOM Panel™ MX

  How has the test fared in the marketplace since it launched?

  So far, the WISDOM Panel™ MX test has been well received by veterinarians and dog owners alike. A recurring theme in feedback from the field is that veterinarians and owners appreciate the depth of insight the test offers, allowing them to work together to create optimal care and wellness plans for a dog. We also know that veterinarians appreciate how the test provides them with the opportunity to see their clients more often.

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  How many tests have you sold? How does this compare with your business projections?

  We’re unable to share specific sales figures or projections, as we’re still in the process of rolling out the test nationally, but we can say that demand for the test has been significant.

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  Why are you selling the WISDOM Panel™ MX via the Internet?

  Because the demand for our test has been huge, Mars Veterinary needed to come up with a way of making it more readily available. Selling the test via the Internet allows us to make it available on a much broader scale. Please note that our stance continues to be that veterinarians play an important role in the health and well-being of pets. Because WISDOM Panel™ MX requires a blood sample, consumers will still need to work with their vets. Also, the test results present an opportunity for owners and veterinarians to work together to develop appropriate care and well-being plans. In effect, we have removed the need for the veterinarian to sell the test, which was something many of them requested, while continuing to encourage the vet-consumer relationship.

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  I thought you said you were only selling this test through vets?

  Mars Veterinary continues to believe that veterinarians play an important role in the health and well-being of pets. The WISDOM Panel™ MX is the only mixed breed test administered by veterinarians who can correctly interpret the data and properly communicate it to dog owners. Selling the test via the Internet does not invalidate this. We will continue to encourage pet owners to work with their vets to develop optimal care and well-being plans for their canine companions and ultimately strengthen the pet-owner bond.

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  Aren’t you taking potential business away from veterinary clinics?

  On the contrary, we think that making the WISDOM Panel™ MX available via the Internet is a new an opportunity to expand and enhance the business potential for clinics.
  
  For new customers…
  Offering the test via the Internet is a way of driving new customers to clinic/hospital for test. Often times this is also an opportunity to build relationships with new, higher-end clientele. Once a new customer has come through your door, the opportunity exists for you to sell new products & services to them. You might consider selling the Wisdom opportunity as a 2-visit package: blood draw + dog/DNA analysis discussion.
  
  For existing customers…
  Having the test available online might encourage your existing customers to consider an additional visit to your clinic. The novelty of the test might also help bring back existing customers who are curious about the novelty of the test. Another way to consider this opportunity might be to consider that by lowering the price point you have to charge for a visit – only covering the blood draw – you might be encouraging a repeat visit as well.

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  Will the online availability affect how veterinarians can set the price for WISDOM Panel™ MX?

  No. The pricing of the WISDOM Panel™ MX remains at the discretion of veterinary practices. We will continue to make pet owners aware that fulfillment of the test will require their veterinarian to do a blood draw which may incur a service fee.

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  What do I say to customers who purchased the test from me only to find that the online price, combined with the cost of a blood test is less than what they originally paid?

  Based on the average cost of a blood test, combined with the consultation fees for a follow-up visit, customers might not find much of a discrepancy between the original direct-from-vet price and the new indirect-from-vet price. However, as with many new products, it isn't unusual for price adjustments to be made following introduction into the marketplace.

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