This is a placeholder text
Group text
by beetree on 14 June 2012 - 18:06
Keith: My guess is the breeders have addressed those diseases since, in their breedings, and as you can see, some breeders seem not to have DM on their radar at all. Not to mention the vets who never mentioned all those doomed paralyzed dogs that could have had DM prior to 2008, as was my case, but I do not want to derail.
I agree with GSDPACK on her post, really. I think it would be nice if breeders were curious enough to test their own stock, but if they don't, I would ask to do it as a condition on the purchase. That makes perfect and easy sense to me.
I agree with GSDPACK on her post, really. I think it would be nice if breeders were curious enough to test their own stock, but if they don't, I would ask to do it as a condition on the purchase. That makes perfect and easy sense to me.
by Keith Grossman on 14 June 2012 - 18:06
"My guess is the breeders have addressed those diseases since, in their breedings, and as you can see, some breeders seem not to have DM on their radar at all."
In my case, Axel's breeder is a vet and she tests for a laundry list of conditions including those I mentioned but not DM, simply because a clear test doesn't mean the dog is actually clear. I'm sure that when a test becomes available that is reliable and accurate for GSD's, she will add that to the list of things for which she currently tests.
In my case, Axel's breeder is a vet and she tests for a laundry list of conditions including those I mentioned but not DM, simply because a clear test doesn't mean the dog is actually clear. I'm sure that when a test becomes available that is reliable and accurate for GSD's, she will add that to the list of things for which she currently tests.
by beetree on 14 June 2012 - 18:06
Yes, that is the black and white of it, I agree. I suppose it makes no sense to do the only testing available, to anyone except a person who has had a dog suffer through DM.
by Keith Grossman on 14 June 2012 - 18:06
"Yes, that is the black and white of it, I agree. I suppose it makes no sense to do the only testing available, to anyone except a person who has had a dog suffer through DM."
How would having your dog tested and getting a false negative result have changed the outcome?
How would having your dog tested and getting a false negative result have changed the outcome?
by beetree on 14 June 2012 - 18:06
Keith, it is called peace of mind, mine! I am hoping to lessen the odds of one type or another, is the best I got. So I am going for it. I recognize I might not get what I want, I really do.
by mollyandjack on 14 June 2012 - 18:06
I just don't see how the test, in it's current state, is any more accurate or useful than knowledge of the health and longevity of the dogs in a pedigree?
by Keith Grossman on 14 June 2012 - 19:06
"Keith, it is called peace of mind, mine! I am hoping to lessen the odds of one type or another, is the best I got. So I am going for it. I recognize I might not get what I want, I really do."
Ok. I understand that due to your experience this is a very emotional topic for you and yes, having the OFFA test done should tell you definitively whether or not your dog is a carrier of or is afflicted with the type of DM that is most common amongst other breeds and sometimes afflicts GSD's as well. If it makes you more comfortable to test for it, you should.
At the same time, I'm trying to let others know that there is another type of DM that is apparently specific to our breed for which there is no test currently. Hopefully, some day there will be because this form of the disease is much more severe and much more debilitating.
Ok. I understand that due to your experience this is a very emotional topic for you and yes, having the OFFA test done should tell you definitively whether or not your dog is a carrier of or is afflicted with the type of DM that is most common amongst other breeds and sometimes afflicts GSD's as well. If it makes you more comfortable to test for it, you should.
At the same time, I'm trying to let others know that there is another type of DM that is apparently specific to our breed for which there is no test currently. Hopefully, some day there will be because this form of the disease is much more severe and much more debilitating.
by joanro on 14 June 2012 - 21:06
Just trying to get an idea of the occurrence..... Is it one in every litter? One in every two litters? Only certain families, or all GSDs will produce numerous afflicted offspring? Too bad there isn't a DNA test for dogs destined to be hit by a vehicle or develop cancer. Not trying to be snarky, just attempting to put things into perspective.
by beetree on 14 June 2012 - 21:06
I don't know the numbers but anecdotally someone could count the numbers of dogs admittedly afflicted on this board since we've been talking about this, for what, less than a year? Frankly, I am surprised at the number of names I am familiar with in the five years I've been posting that have gone through this with a dog. If it were so rare, how could I "know" of so many sad stories? How's that for perspective, and I am not being snarky, either.
I think it would be certain families or lines. If owners of afflicted dogs, especially those of the aggressive form would contact UofM to offer necropsies, it would further the research, and there might be more answers to all the questions.
I think it would be certain families or lines. If owners of afflicted dogs, especially those of the aggressive form would contact UofM to offer necropsies, it would further the research, and there might be more answers to all the questions.
by Ramage on 14 June 2012 - 22:06
If the DM test really bothers somebody, why not do a sale pending DM results and let the interested party pay for it?
Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top