Interesting article on DM - Page 1

This article was sent to me by another GSD owner. http://www.chessieinfo.net/degenerative-myelopathy.htm First time I have ever seen any mention of it being suspected of being polygenetic. No publication by Dr. Coates thus far has clearly mentioned this suspicion. I also find it very interesting that 90% of fox terriers test "at risk", but non have never developed DM. I am aware that Dr. Coates and team is working on releasing a new publication. Hopefully it will give insight to all these updated extremely important findings. Gwen

Interesting article. I believe that the possibility of it being polygenic has been mentioned and the possibility of other genes being involved has never been ruled out. In fact UofM have said if 'genetic or environmental modifiers exist we want to find them' The article it links to refers to researchers @ the Broad Instatute searching for modifier genes, particularly in the disparity in age of onset of early age vs very late age. 

It is interesting that the Chessie article and others have put forward the idea of different types of the disease, as did Hexe in one of her posts.

What I find especially curious is the fox terrier situation. That seems so out of 'synch' with everything we supposedly 'know' about DM, and they do live a long time, thus allowing time for the disease to 'play out' if it is going to. I had not heard of this before.  Now that is an avenue of research someone should definitely look at IMO. It may even turn up something in the form of arresting the progress for DM dogs.

Interesting.

Abby I so agree. But I have never seen mention of it possibly being polygenetic. I know this sounds weird but beginning to wonder if the SOD1 is the protective gene rather than the gene responsible for causing DM. I am no scientist. I know they are working hard. I do think the fix terriers should be looked at. Why they never develope DM and yet carry the double mutation. What gene do they have that is protecting them? Surely everyone with beloved breeds wants a cure or at least medication that will prolong the disease. I happen to be owned by 2 breeds. Pembrokes and my GSD that I believe has DM even though his DM DNA status is "carrier". He is 13 years 4 months. Nothing will happen for my Blade. But my 9 year old "at risk" corgi maybe, something will be discovered. Gwen

I have have extremely serIous doubts the Chessie people wrote this on their own. I am fairly certain this was aided by one of Dr. Coates team. This is not just mere speculation on their part but something that has been given to them to post on their Web page. JMHO, of course. Too much technical and research data there to have been published by the the Chessie Club all alone. Gwen

Until the actual cause is discovered, OFA is raking in the bucks and creating a false sense of security for people buying into the screening program.

That is the problem I have. I don't think the OFFA should be making a single dime until every mutated gene is isolated as well as triggers for what causes full blown DM. I would be much happier if they would just discover a way to confirm DM in living dogs. Heck with the gene, confirm this in living dogs. I hate that the only way to confirm DM is via necropsy during a very emotional state of mind. I can see offa doing hips and elbows and rating them as good, excellent, borderline. This test at this point is premature in my opinion. and people do seem to have an overly false sense of security especially when it comes to dogs that have tested "clear". Obviously several breeds and several dogs that were clear have come back now with confirmed DM upon necropsy. Which to me means it is time the offa removes it from their site. It can be made available via Univ. of Missouri. JMO. Gwen

No one is forcing anyone to test Gwen. It is what it is; it is all there is at this time. You guys are nuts if you think anyone is getting rich off of this test. 

I think what it does and doesn't do has been explained oh, umpteen times. 

Why the "name calling"? Is there no way to state opinions in this country anymore without childish name calling? I tested ALL 3 of the dogs. I am NOT the person that brought up the money being made. I never said anyone was getting rich. Snow me in my post where I said offa was getting rich. I said they shouldn't benefit. Last I checked "freedom of speech" still exists in this country. But it is close to changing. That's even quite obvious on this forum. Nuts?? I just love when people resort to childish name calling. It gives me a thrill. Gwen

Test your breeding dogs, don't test your breeding dogs, up to you. Until something better comes along I will test mine. The rest of you can do what you want. There are plenty of buyers who won't know enough to ask and/or who don't care, so there will always be buyers.

I think OFA makes money from their testing/ screening programs. They don't do it for free. No matter how cheap a test is, the numbers accumulate.......bee, you're free to call people "nuts" and we ,likewise, are free to voice our opinion.