MDR1 testing with expert support you can trust
Some drugs can save lives — but for pets with the MDR1 mutation, they can sometimes be deadly. The safest way to protect your dog or cat is with the PrIMe® MDR1 genetic test from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Our team discovered the MDR1 mutation and continues to lead research to identify new drugs and improve treatment safety. Pets with this mutation can suffer severe side effects like tremors, blindness, and even death. Up to 75% of some herding breeds and 4% of cats carry this mutation, making testing essential for their health.
With WSU, you get more than accurate MDR1 results — you get expert guidance when it matters most. Our team created MDR1Caddie™ for dogs and WhisPurr™ for cats, interactive portals where our specialists answer questions from you and your veterinarian. Once your pet’s results are ready — usually within a week — you can share them with your veterinarian and make confident, informed decisions.
Our PrIMe® MDR1 genetic tests
Dogs
Dogs with the MDR1 mutation can react severely to common medications. MDR1Caddie™ gives you and your veterinarian 24/7 access to trusted answers — so every treatment decision is safe.
Cats
Cats with the MDR1 mutation need extra care when it comes to medications. WhisPurr™ provides expert guidance anytime you need it — because your cat’s safety comes first.
Why choose us?
Fast results
Get your results in as little as one week.
MDR1Caddie™
& WhisPurr™
Online access to a board-certified veterinary pharmacologist when you test with us.
Trusted research
WSU discovered the MDR1 mutations and developed the first diagnostic tests.
What is multidrug sensitivity?
Some dogs and cats have a mutation in the MDR1 (multidrug resistance 1) gene also known as the ABCB1 gene, which plays an important role in limiting drug distribution to the brain and in enhancing the excretion of many drugs. Animals with the mutation may have severe adverse reactions – including tremors, disorientation, blindness, severe muscle weakness, and death – to some common medications.
Today, because we can identify specific genetic mutations that make animals susceptible to disease or drug sensitivities, we can customize treatment plans to precisely fit a patient’s needs.” Dr. Katrina Mealey, WSU veterinary pharmacologist who discovered the MDR1 mutation in dogs and cats