MDR1 gene mutation in the GSD - Page 1

The research project (2004) which identified the MDR1 (Multi Dug Resistance) gene concluded that the mutation occured in a dog of Rough Collie lineage in the late 1800s.  The breeds that have been found to have this mutation are all thought to be descended from the Rough Collie with this dog in their ancestry, and this did include some unlikely cases such as the Silken Windhound.

There has since been a GSD identified with the mutation.  It could have been a second mutation, though unlikely I think.  http://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=1228802#animal

Does anyone know of any others?

Is drug sensitivity common in the GSD?...... or any other thoughts on this?

The research paper here -  http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/101/32/11725

Sorry apologies.  That GSD tested normal.

It has been reported in the GSD though, does anyone know the Breeding?

It is tested for almost religiously with the BBS in Europe (I dont know as much about GSDs).  Both of Ruby's parents tested negative as carriers for the gene...thus Ruby doesnt have it.  I will put Leo through the test as well when he gets a little older.  I've never actually seen a dog with it...but I am under the impression that it is a partial dominance gene...thus the heterozygote causes issues as well as the homozygote carriers)

~Cate

OK, educate me... what is the MDR1 gene and what problems are associated with it?

They react badly to medication....badly to the point where the dog might die.  I dont know exactly what it does...but I sort of equate it to my boyfriend's allergies to penicillan and other kinds of mold - sends him to the hospital right quick.  Because there is collie somewhere back there in the GSD, they can also carry for it.  Its generally considered bad juju from what I can tell since it makes it difficult to medicate or put your dog under...and you might not know the dog has it until it is too late.

There was an episode of House that had a dog die from it if I recall.

Past that - we need Pod.

~Cate

I don't really know much about it, only what I've read online.  This is a good webpage for explanation and a list of the drugs involved  - http://www.collienet.com/health%20topics/MDR1%20Gene%20defect.htm

Cate, sorry I don't know what  BBS is... duh!  Do you mean Ruby is a carrier?  And is she a GSD... from old UK bloodlines perhaps?  Just wondering how the Rough Collie blood came to be in the breed.

Do you mean Ruby is a carrier?

I did mean her parents of course........do wish we had an edit feature on this board.

lol - no - neither of her parents were carriers so she is not.  Both were tested and found clear :)

BBS is the European name for the White Shepherd...Berger Blanc Suisse - She's from Holland so thats what she is :)

Collies were one of the breeds that Stephanitz incorporated into making the GSD - either that or a breed related to them...thats kind of the impression I get from the first chapter of his book :)  I do know that they used old UK white lines when creating the white lines in Europe...but I am fairly certain it is something that anything that might have any faint relation to the collie should be checked for unless the lines are found to be clear.

~Cate

From what I've seen it's mostly a Collie thing.  I have friend's that I work with that have Collies, which most either carry the gene or have the mutation.  The results come back normal/normal, mutant/mutant, normal/mutant.

I tested my dogs for the gene through Washington State University and they both came up normal/normal.  German Shepherds are on the list of dogs that can carry the gene.  I did not test my older bitch, however she's already had several of the drugs that they are sensitive to.  Butorphanol, Ace, Loperamide (immodium), Ivermectin are just a few that I can remember off hand. 

We are very careful with dogs that come in who are sheltie/collies are mixes there of as to not cause any problems. 

Collies were one of the breeds that Stephanitz incorporated into making the GSD - either that or a breed related to them...thats kind of the impression I get from the first chapter of his book :)  I do know that they used old UK white lines when creating the white lines in Europe...but I am fairly certain it is something that anything that might have any faint relation to the collie should be checked for unless the lines are found to be clear.

The line that the mutation occured in though, was not the working Collies from which the Borders, Bearded, Welsh Sheepdogs, Cattle Dogs etc descended, it was a breakaway line of show Collies... the Rough and Smooth Collie line, from which all of the affected breeds so far, have descended, except that is, for the GSD.

There have been no reported cases in the working Collie lineage, just the show Collie and it's descendants.