Degenerative Myelopathy - Page 1

How many breeders test for DM  or are they afriad to find out that there dogs are affective remember DM dosen't show up in the affective dogs til there 7yrs old or older.Just think of  how many puppies that might be born to affective parents  if they don't test for it.
I tested four of my dogs and this is want they came back as.

 SG Zico van't Linnershof Sch3 FH  N/N clear for DM
INT CH Nadia vom haus Vianden BH CD RN SchA  N/N clear for DM
INT CH Mera vom haus Vianden BH Sch1 N/N clear for DM

INT CH Viona vom haus Vianden BH CD RN N/A carrier for DM
I have three more dogs to test for it because I want to know if I have any affective  A/A dogs in my breeding program.

Here is a chart if anyone is interested.
 



Testing

The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals has a DNA test that can be purchased to see if their dog carries the mutated genes for DM. The test is for any dog but is only recommended for certain breeds. The test consists of a cheek swab (using something similar to a Q-tip to swab the inside of the cheek to submit for testing).

The test checks for the mutated gene that will tell if your dog may be affected by degenerative myelopathy, if it is a carrier, or if it is unaffected.

The results are:

• Normal / Normal (N/N) - this means your dog does not have the mutated strain and it will not develop degenerative myelopathy. (clear)
• Normal / Abnormal (N/A) - this means your dog is a carrier of the gene but will not develop degenerative myelopathy. (carrier)
• Abnormal / Abnormal (A/A) - this means that your dog is affected with degenerative myelopathy and may develop degenerative myelopathy (affected). Not all dogs with A/A results will develop DM.

  Genetics

Breeding risks for degenerative myelopathy can be calculated using the Punnett Square:

• If both parents are clear (N/N) then all of the puppies will be clear
• If one parent is a carrier (N/A) and one is clear (N/N) then roughly 50% of the puppies will be clear and 50% will be carriers
• If both parents are carriers (N/A) then roughly 25% will be clear (N/N), 50% will be carriers (N/A), and 25% will be affected (A/A)
• If one parent is clear (N/N) and one parent is affected (A/A) then all puppies will be carriers (N/A)
• If one parent is a carrier (N/A) and one is affected (A/A) then roughly 50% of the puppies will be carriers (N/A) and 50% will be affected (A/A)
•  If both parents are affected (A/A) then all puppies will be affected (A/A)

Great that you are testing all your dogs.  I think ALL breeders should test for this horrible disease.  Our oldest Shepherd started with it and it was just horrible to watch.  I do agree that some breeders just don't want to know but hopefully they will start looking out for the pups they are producing. 
Amy

I tested for DM last year--all of my dogs are DM clear -- neg/neg. I think at the very least breeders should test their dogs to make more informed breeding decisions.

However, there is some concern that the DNA test for DM in GSDs is not testing the correct gene--some dogs who have tested clear have seemed to be affected by DM (completely symptomatic DM problems, no indications that it would be a different neurologic problem).

BlackhornGSD  did you test your dogs thro the OFA DNA or some where else? Did the dog that tested N/N clear did he have a MRI to make sure it wasn't a different neurologic problem ? because by this chart a N/N  clear will not come down with DM. Just trying to understand this better thats all.

The dog that tested clear but was affected was not owned by myself--it was owned by an acquaintance of mine out in California. I was talking on Facebook about having done the test and had several breeders come back with anecdotal info that the test is not definitive in GSDs.

I tested 7 dogs that I own for breeding or from my breeding--all of but one of them were neg/neg (the eighth dog is a neutered dog owned by a friend of mine--he was a non-affected carrier). I sent the tests off to a different facility, not OFA, because there was a discount for more than 5 dogs being tested, here's a PDF of the letter they sent me:

http://www.blackthornkennel.com/DMTestResults.pdf

I didn't test my Lynx or Macha--they are clear by default as both of their parents are clear/clear.

Blackhorn GSD

Good for you for testing your dogs.
I didn't know there was another place to test If it is cheaper and they do the same test then I will go with them because I have three more dogs to test there father Zico was N/N clear so I think there be no problem with them.
Solo is clear by her  parents too   N/N clear

Kudo's to all of you testing;  I lost my boy to DM;  what a horrific disease.  Still missing him.  Nan

I also test all my dogs...breeders and pets. All my breeding dogs are N/N Clear of this disease. And to those who have lost a dog to this...it is indeed awful to watch. I lost my girl in November. She was a pet and never bred but still the love of a lifetime and it was terrible to see her body go when her mind was so sharp. I wish more breeders would test...maybe in time. I do think some are afraid of the results. That if their dog is perfect to breed in every other way, what if he's not DM Clear?

I think all breeders should test for this horrible disease and it is beyond me as to why they wouldn't, unless it is only about the money. As for some results not being accurate, this does happen on occasion. Kudos and much appreciation to those breeders who test their dogs.

My rescue GSD was recently diagnosed with DM, but I caught it early and so far she is just slightly dragging her left rear foot. She is on meds, supplements, physical therapy, acupuncture and laser therapy. I had the blood test done, which is supposed to be more accurate, according to my vet. These treatments will only help to a point and I dread what lies ahead. I still believe that breeders need to everything humanly possible to ensure their breeding dogs are free of this disease, as well as other diseases, such as EPI, epilepsy, HD, ED, cardiac, etc. Again, I realize nothing is 100% and some illnesses show up later in life and can't be tested for, but breeders should at least do what they can do and be honest about it. Unless something is done to make these tests mandatory, the health of the GSD will continue to spiral down.  Thankfully there are those like Blackthorn and Vianden, which gives me a little hope.