DNA test for DM - Page 7

Thanks...me too!  But, now comes the long wait until hips and elbows can become official......

Just so you are all aware that DM is not just an old or older dog disease;  I started noticing changes in my boys rear at about 3 years old; this goes back 6 years now and I knew about DM but had no idea at that time that was what those rear changes were about.  I seriously noticed him slowing down starting between 5 and 6 years old;  went to the vet and drew blood and urine;  all that of course was fine.  Down and unable to get up or walk shortly before his 8th birthday;  so to me that is a young dog.  Also was my service dog from 9 weeks old.  So his loss will be forever engraved in my heart.  Completely devastating and to see a large dog deteriorate  from DM;  well I hope I never see it again.  So kudo's to all of you for testing your breeding stock;  they are all at risk;  and they are finding out more and more breeds that are at risk also;  most of them the larger breeds but still; hopefully all larger breeds will be testing someday.  Great days everyone,  Nan

So sorry, Nan. You are the second person I have heard say that they knew something just wasn't right when the dog was relatively young. It a heartbreaker that we can eliminate with a simple inexpensive cheek swab.

DM does not descriminate, it's in every line, American lines, German showlines, German, Czech working lines.
Please test your dogs before breeding them so you can choose a mate accordingly.

 

Having lost 4 working partners to DM i am now testing all my dogs prior to purchase. My latest disaster dog
Back Policia-Slovakia has come back Normal for both genes. Sign of relief

I am looking at a pup and will test it before i buy her

Four? Oh I am so sorry! Good to know that your current dog tested normal.

Sorry Nan and K9Sar for your losses. How heartbreaking....

Yeah, the test was not that expenisve and it was so easy just swabbing her mouth with a foam thing.  I am very glad that I did it and she now has an official ofa number (though it might take a few eweks to show up in computer database).

I am thankful she came back normal/normal.  One less thing to worry about and take off the list.  Of course, we still have cardioac, thyroid, and CERF at 1 and then hips and elbows at 2. *sigh*

Again, I send my condolences to all those whose dogs were effected by DM.  Now that we have testing, no dog ever has to suffer with this disease again if only breeders would test and breed wisely.

Nan,

You are the first one to mention noticing very early signs in your dog. Shortly after we adopted Shelby in May 2008 (she was around 2-3 yrs) I noticed that when she ran she looked a little odd, but couldn't put my finger on it. Her trot was absolutely beautiful and once she gets up her momentum it still is, but there was just something about her full out run that didn't seem quite right. Then I noticed about a year later that her gait was ever so slightly off at a walk. Not really a limp, but just "off". Having horses for much of my life and being very in tune with movement and gait, it was very obvious to me, but no one else saw it. My husband even yelled at me one time telling me that I just look for problems! She didn't start showing slight wear on the nails of her left hind leg until last October 2010. She was diagnosed, based on the DM DNA test, in February 2010 (or maybe it was January- not sure) and has been on the Dr. Clemmons protocol since then. At this point her back end is very unstable and she drags her back left leg pretty bad at times. Tomorrow she gets her first stem cell theray treatment. I'm both nervous and excited.

Anyway, I am glad I am not the only one that noticed  very early signs in my dog!  


k9sar,

Oh my, I am so sorry. I just can't imagine going through this more than once. How long did you wait before letting your dogs go to the Bridge. That is the part I am dreading so much and I agonize over at times. This is something I hope I never have to go through again. At least now that the testing is available we can avoid getting a dog with DM. I just hope all the breeders get on board with this and start testing their dogs.  I'm so happy your present dog is DM free!  

There is absolutely no excuse for not testing breeding stock. Don't buy a puppy from untested parents or insist that a puppy/dog is DNA'd before taking that dog home. 

Also I have to mention about the movement;  train your eyes, my boy had a beautiful rear at 9 weeks old, strong and driving;  and in fact STar I might have noticed a change even earlier than 3 years old but don't even want to think about it.  What concerns me also is that my boy had auto immune;  pannus and was blind when I finally did make the decision to put him down.  Some other signs also but blind and not able to get up or walk.  JHC.  I look back now and just about have a fit.  Believe me I would not miss it again and like I said, in fact, other large breeds are starting to test for  DM.  So glad to see that.  Great days everyone,  Nan

I tested 9 of my dogs and 7 are clear and 2 are carriers.
I believe all breeders should test there breeding dogs DON'T break your puppy people's heart by NOT TESTING YOUR DOGS!!!