Buyer Beware - DM information - Page 3

Well yes I do agree that people should be honest.  Should not be saying the puppies WILL BE CLEAR if you do not know the status of both parents.  So I do agree with that!  

Here's a question I plan on asking OFA, why they will no longer accept the test results for DM of other labs like vetdnacenter.com. The Univ. of Missouri website claims they have a patent on the test etc. I have contacted vetdnacenter and they have said that to their knowledge there is no known patent and that they are sure their lawyers or UM's lawyers would have contacted them. They use the same test, so why does OFA only accept UM's test. They list vetdnacenter.com on the OFA website for other tests they have available. I paid the extra $15 almost two years ago now and sent Zamp's vetdnacenter.com DM test results to OFA and got his OFA certificate, but they would not do it a month later with my next dog. It would be nice to have a complete database of results but it seems UM or OFA is standing in the way of that. I for one like to use vetdnacenter.com as I usually will run the coat length test at the same time for an extra $20. And I'm a bit of a loyalist, and a little stubborn, it bugs me that OFA changed their tune on this a year and a half ago which makes me want to use them for DM even less LOL. I haven't pressed it since then with OFA but am going to put in a phone call and follow up with a letter if necessary. What are your thoughts on this, is it purely a $$ thing? I find the part I highlighted below a bit hard to believe for one, maybe it's true but I'm thinking OFA must get a majority of the testing fee then.

Here is the quote from the UM website that is linked to from OFA regarding the patent: http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DM/sampleDM.htm

Laboratories DNA Testing for DM

Please be aware that the discovery of the mutation causing DM in dogs and the subsequent DNA test has been patented by those who discovered the mutation - the University of Missouri and the Broad Institute at Harvard/MIT. The ONLY authorized license to offer this test is the partnership with OFA, described above. Any other laboratory or entity that may be offering the DNA test for DM is in violation of a patent. Accuracy or validity of test results by other independent labs cannot be verified, and will not be recorded by OFA or CHIC on their searchable public database for disease testing results. In addition, any funds received by the Animal Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the University of Missouri that may be in excess of expenses to run the test are used to fund additional research searching for disease-causing mutations in many breeds of dogs. No individual at AMGL or OFA receives personal profit from testing fees received. We appreciate your support and participation in past and ongoing research!

i know if i was to breed  say a DM carrier to a DM clear i would get the whole litter tested so i would know which went to pet homes and which could go to breeders. as i would not trust half these breeders out there that would never test there dogs.i know alot of breeders that know about DM test but dont think any of there dogs have DM, which is pretty sad.

I have the same questions, Barbie, plus I have never received an answer to these questions - why did OFA remove the results of the Flash test from their database since it was not the same test? Is the Flash test still available? If not, why not? I do know of at least one dog that was tested using both the Flash test and the OFA test. The owner was told that the Flash test indicated the dog had an active case of DM, the OFA test identifed him as a carrier.The dog was 2 years old at the time and suffered from some spinal and hip issues that were surgically corrected. 3 years later he is much improved. Also is DM or is it not an animal model for ALS? 

I certainly hope this is not about politics and jockeying for position.

Exactly, Trixx. I agree.

--- > I believe she uses the wording DM free because the puppies will never get DM therefore they are DM free technically

NEVER get DM? The puppies will never get DM? Would you please show me studies where the progeny of N/N dogs have been followed up for several generations to make the above statement a FACT? Can you also show me proof that the only thing that causes GSDM is a change to the SOD1 gene?  Thats weird because only 2 % of people with ALS have a change to their SOD1  gene. Last but not least, DM is not a motor unit disease in GSDS. They dont feel their feet, which they do in a motor unit disease. All breeds get a degeneration of the spine which is chronic and progressive, but this does not make that disease GSDM.

 

Which breeder has puppies that will never develop DM? His/her name, please?  I have had 2 dogs with DM and would love to know which breeder has puppies that will never develop DM.

There is long term DM a study underway. I donated blood from one of my shepherds 3 years ago, every year they ask her status.

Thanks, Sita's Mom. I didn't know that.

Marj, when I started this thread it was regarding a for sale ad that advertised "DM free puppies"with only one tested  parent. That was later explained away by a friend of the breeder of that litter who felt that it was truth in advertising since the sire tested as an nn normal so could not produce an at risk regardless of the status of the dam. She later revised that ad to reflect the fact that she sells every dog she breeds with limited registration so they are never bred. 

Limited registration has nothing to do with advertising DM free lines.  Just because a person isnt going to  breed a dog doesnt make a difference. What about a pet owner who might get their heart broken and foot the tremendous bill for DM and all it entails? That doesnt count? Advertising DM free lines and puppies is deceptive.There have been no long term studies done to prove this is, indeed, the truth! Even Dr Coates is still looking for additional genes that contribute to the development of DM. If the SOD1 was the sole cause, she wouldnt be looking down new avenues. I cannot fault her for people advertising deceptively, although that is one of the dangers of making premature statements in relation to the future. There is no proof that a puppy will or will not develop DM, at this stage of the game. Maybe in 15 years we will know for sure, but certainly not at  this time! The definition of a fraudulent representation is one is which the party making the statement was aware that it is false or disregards the possibility of it being false. With all the discussion of the SOD1 validity, and dogs testing clear developing and dying from DM, one would be hard pressed to not know the possibility that this test might not be correct or definitive.