The Sorrow of DM and other inheritable diseases - Page 2

Congential Megaesophogus

I am Extremely Sorry for any & all who have dealt with this disease.
I have lost a dog to wobblers (non gsd).

Please excuse my question, I ask only for clarity, & I am not a breeder.

I assume that a carrier, carries the gene for DM?
Does that mean the carrier will get the disease at some point? or is that not known, or rather, they may develope DM, or they may not; but they can pass DM if bred?

& an at risk?  is at risk to develope DM?

Also, the reason for the above question, is that it seems to be something only breeders, or breeding dogs, are tested for.  So my reason for asking, as, some dogs who carry this gene may not develope DM?

Thank you for any answers in regard to the above.

Carrier (A/N)

This dog is heterozygous A/N, with one mutated copy of the gene and one normal copy of the gene, and is classified as a carrier. In the breeds studied at the University of Missouri in depth so far, dogs with test results of A/N have never been confirmed to have DM. While it is highly unlikely this dog will ever develop DM, this dog can transmit either the normal gene or the mutated gene to its offspring. 

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

From the first definitive signs to the day we euthanized Loki was 9 months and he died 2 days before his 10th birthday. 


The day we euthanized him and he was still feeling 10' tall and bullet proof but his body no longer could keep up with his spirit.  We are glad he never really had to realize how bad off he really was.

My Libby, 10.5 years old.  Vet suspects DM.  Still with me, but not looking forward to the progression of the disease.  Beetree - cannot imagine losing a dog so young.  That must have been so difficult.  Cheryl

My male pictured below was put to rest in 2006.  He had a presumptive diagnosis of DM after ruling out every other possible cause of his rear limb paralysis.  He had OFA Excellent hips and dysplastic elbows, but his elbows never caused him any problems at all and those great hips didn't help him once the DM set it.  He started out with occasional broken/sprained toes on his rear feet and that prompted the vet visits.  His rear nails were worn very short and he knuckled under and failed to right his feet on his own.  He didn't progress much beyond that for quite some time, though his gait slowly changed and he couldn't jump well.  Ultimately he lost the ability to use his rear limbs much at all, and when he did he could only take a few steps before the legs crossed behind him and simply didn't follow where the front was going.  He was a very strong dog and would will himself to get back up and try again, often succeeding on his own even in the late stages.  That made it difficult to end his ordeal because his front legs and his mind were so willing and able in spite of the deterioration of his rear limbs.  He insisted on taking his frisbee with him every time he went out because he was certain he'd somehow be able to play again. He tried so hard, but just couldn't do it.   RIP buddy. 

Reading the posts and seeing the pictures of these beautiful dogs made me cry. My sincere sympathies to all who have a lost a beloved dog to one of these heartbreaking diseases. I am so sorry.

I would like to know more about AF.

Here some pictures of my Shelby who has DM. As you can see she is not "working dog" LOL. I think she has the softest eyes I've ever seen.The first two were taken in 2008, the third one taken in 2010 and the last one was taken in November 2011 (looks a little washed out due to lighting). Even now she can stand and look fairly normal, but if you see her move, you know...




        

This was my boy at nine, my heart dog, my best friend for 13 years, the most couragous dog I ever knew.  I kept him walking until 13 and his excellent hips through his pedigree did not save him in the end.  His DM didn't kill him, the cancer did.  Yet, I would not want to have given up knowing such a magnifcent peice of heaven. I was truly blessed but it was hell when a dog this big cannot move any longer.

Your dogs are beautiful everyone.