G.S.D. breeder states NO test for the D.M.! - Page 2

I do test for DM  Last year lost a female who tested at risk, 14.5 yr old no DM symptoms she died of old age.

So much for the tests, and as I said, I do test just don't believe the results are to be fully believed.

BE, "excuse"???? What excuse? People are just stating a simple fact that the DM test is NOT 100% accurate, nor does an "at risk" result guarantee that your dog is going to suffer from DM. Until people start doing NECROPSIES and really finding out what this disease is, we won't gain anything.

Good story, Western Rider!

Can a mod please fix my link in my post on the previous page? Super interesting article on DM. I didn't realize it wasn't clickable and the edit window has passed. Thanks.

Just wanted to add that I feed an all raw diet and feel that this helps any dog that may have an auto-immune problem and id just plain good for the dog.

Those that feed a kibble type diet here in the US I think have far more CRAP in them than the foods sold in Europe even if made and sold by the same company

Yes, Western, that's true since our country allows manufacturing processes that many other "first world" countries do not.

Hi Everyone,
First off, I think that anyone that loves the breed they are breeding WOULD do genetic testing, hips and any other test available. As for DM..I really think it's a disease that is more triggered by the food the dog eats, yes it is genetic, however, a lot of Humans have genetics that would say they carry Cancer, but it does not mean they will ever have it. What they eat, their habits (smoking, drugs..etc) will make it easier for the gene to become Cancer.

Dog food (kibble) is a really bad thing for Any dog. My friend just lost 2 dogs due to kibble in less than 3 weeks apart. Symptoms were identical to Pentobarbital poisoning. The one died within 24 hours of symptoms. He became completely laim in the back legs like he was hit by a car, lost Complete bladder control rushed to the vet, died. Second one showed lameness, falling over, lost complete use of back and hind legs...here is what the FDA says: Oral exposure to pentobarbital can cause acute neurological symptoms, drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth in a jerky manner), inability to stand, coma and death. This makes me think that if this is in all kibble, but so minimal that it's not detected, over a period of time you might be aggravating DM, causing it to show up.
That is just my thoughts. I think the reason DM is almost never heard of in Germany is because all the Show dogs are on RAW. They never put a dog that has potential on kibble.
Again that is just my thoughts.

Good story? Hardly. An AT RISK dog did not show symptoms.

That is only one outcome of two, that WAS predicted.

Not a good reason to NOT test.

Diet as a trigger is a red herring for the absolutes of genetics. 2Cats. I can not take your post seriously.

Markobytes, that GSD in the video I posted was tested for DM by her owner and she had it. Niki's owner is the person who said that there is a definitive DNA test for DM via the University of Missouri. After seeing the video and reading her comments and others, I'd say the test seems to work well. The problem is that there is no cure for stopping DM. The dog in the video was a female GSD named Niki, she was 7 years old in the video. Niki's owner said it took 7-8 months for Niki to become completely paralyzed and 13 months to the time to put her to sleep. So a year after that video Niki was put to sleep. DM is a fast acting disease, I've heard of dogs not even lasting a year after showing DM signs, like 9 months. From what I've heard from owners of DM dogs, there is nothing to stop DM and even supplements and healthy foods do very little to help the dog.

Lunastar, you are correct that the progression is relentless and always ends in death.

My GSD female who just turned 10 on June 6 tested at risk for DM. I first noticed a hitch in her gait in November, 2014. She became unable to walk May, 2016 and now gets around in a cart or I am her hind legs with a harness. She is still feisty and is involved in everyday activities. She has been getting underwater treadmill therapy twice a week since December, 2015, and I believe that it has helped immensely. I am now noticing that she is not as strong in the front end as she used to be. When that "spark" is gone it will be time.

She has been raw fed and except for rabies every three years has not been given shots since she was a puppy (titers done yearly).