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. 

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.