Educate me about DM Testing - Page 1

Greetings all!

Well, back when I was testing dogs, DM was practically unheard of, so in order to stay up to date on health testing, I have a few questions about DM and DM testing.

1. What is the soonest age a dog can be tested for DM?

2. Is it a test performed by  Veterinarians and then sent in to OFA?

3. Is it like OFA's DNA tests where they send you a pre-paid cheek swab pack?

4. Before one tests for DM, is there anything the dog must do or NOT do?

5. How long do the results take to get back from OFA?

6. I heard there were three ratings, one for At Risk, one for Carrier and one for Free, what do the results show up as on the paperwork OFA sends back? 

7. What is the price range for testing?


No need to be nasty in responces, yes I COULD'VE Googled this information, but I'd rather ask individuals who have done this testing themselves.

Thanks for anticpated responces!

1. What is the soonest age a dog can be tested for DM?

I believe it's 4 weeks.

2. Is it a test performed by  Veterinarians and then sent in to OFA? 3. Is it like OFA's DNA tests where they send you a pre-paid cheek swab pack?

You do it yourself with a cheek swab that is mailed to you. I believe OFA requires pre-pay. OFA is not the only company who provides the test, but they do have the (only?) public database. Other companies will send you the swab on request and you can pay when you send in the test kit.

4. Before one tests for DM, is there anything the dog must do or NOT do?
I believe it is recommended that dogs not play with other dogs or eat or drink for about 4 hours.

5. How long do the results take to get back from OFA?

I used DDC (VetDNACenter), so I don't know for OFA. It was about 3 weeks for DDC.

6. I heard there were three ratings, one for At Risk, one for Carrier and one for Free, what do the results show up as on the paperwork OFA sends back? 

OFFA.org shows "normal" for dogs who are clear/clear (free). I didn't find any carrier info when I was looking at dogs on there the other day.

DDC will email you and also mail you your results. From them, it is not a certificate, just results. When I was testing, I did it for my own knowledge and I didn't even list my dogs' full names -- I tested 8 dogs at once (including a couple of dogs from friends of mine), so I went with DDC, which gives a discount for multiple dogs--here's what my results from them looked like: http://www.blackthornkennel.com/DMTestResults.pdf

7. What is the price range for testing?

$45-$65 depending on the company that does the testing.

Thanks so much Blackthorn!

I want to do the right thing with health testing and it starts with education!

Thanks again!

http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/dmexplanation.html

You probably have read the above information already.
Doing a DM DNA test will not guarantee that your dog nor her/his progeny will be effected by DM at all.
Other than with hip and elbow ratings through x-ray, where we see if the dog is healthy or not, a DNA test for DM, at least at this point, can not tell you, even if rated A/A or at risk, if your dog will ever be suffering from DM. Just because a DNA of an animal or person has certain markers doesn't make it a sick animal or person.
Personally, I wouldn't do this test because the results are too vage. It doesn't justify taking a dog out of a breeding program, because there will be no guarantee that an A/A dog will ever develop DM. There are absolutely no treatment options for a dog that is at risk but not effected by DM. In fact most DM treatment options, as you can see examples on this message board, are not effective, at least not on a long term base.
I hope there will be other test options in the future identifying markers showing a dog will be effected by this disease or other diseases in dogs in order to exclude these dogs from a breeding program.

I don't think that even an A/A should automatically be taken out of a breeding program.

I do think that it is worthwhile testing and deliberately choosing breeding partners who are clear/clear. If the chance of getting a debilitating and life-endangering illness can be reduced by a significant percentage or even eliminated in any/all of the puppies you produce, IMO, every GSD breeder should do so.

Imagine how much it would help if HD testing were this informative.... not a solution, but a significant help.

Christine

Check the OFA Website only
 

I will still plan on testing for DM, because while it may be feable now, in time, I'd like to know that testing a dog or two on my end helped the research discover either a cure, or at least more information about DM.

I can see TingiesandTails point of view on it too though; but if it only costs less than $100 a dog and could help the OFA understand this disease better, I'm willing to contribute.

Thanks again everyone!

Ditto to Abby's post above.

Me too, Czech Fan, me too.

Hi All:

I had my dog's semen frozen and part of this whole process included having DNA done on him.  Does anyone know if this DNA test would include DM or should I do a specific DM test?

Cassandra