Degenerative Myelopathy DNA Test - Page 3

I cut and pasted your post and sent it to Dr Hansen we'll see what he say

I know we are not supposed to cut and paste but here is the response                                                  Please read the information in our announcement, posted on our website – www.CanineGeneticDiseases.net, click on DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY, and then on the NEW! DNA TEST FOR DM! announcement. In the announcement is a link to the journal article where the discovery was first published. There were many more than 2 GSD’s used in the initial research, and considerably more have been included in additional work that is ongoing here.



We believe absolutely that this test is valid for GSD’s, or we would not offer it. We have published in a peer-reviewed journal, and are preparing another article for publication shortly. We have tested over 1300 GSD’s so far, and believe this is a valid tool for GSD breeders and fanciers to use to reduce risk for DM in future generations. We welcome additional participation from GSD owners, and continue to offer to test any dog (any breed, and mixed breeds) with clinical symptoms and a presumptive diagnosis of DM at no charge. We also continue to recruit spinal cord and other samples from dogs that are euthanized, to further the research for this disease. Forms and instructions for sending these samples are in the SAMPLE SUBMISSION section of our website.



Liz



Liz Hansen

Animal Molecular Genetics Laboratory

University of Missouri - College of Veterinary Medicine

321 Connaway Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

573-884-3712

HansenL@missouri.edu

 

IOW. the results of the above testing is that published on the OFA website: www.offa.org/results.html.

Of course they "believe" it is valid - Dr. Coates also BELIEVED all the GSD in her GSDM study had DM but after the study necropsies showed only 3 out of 12 even had DM! BELIEF means NOTHING - you need CONFIRMATION! And given that history makes this test even less reliable to me for GSD until there is more confirmation data. If you were talking Corgis then I would agree this is a pretty good test. The data seems to be there for Corgis. But according to Dr. Clemmons, GSDM is DIFFERENT than Corgi DM. He has some good observations and data to back that up as has been discussed already. It is my understanding the Coates team does not agree and they lump all DM together. Yet I have even read something published by Dr. Coates herself that she found differences in the spine of DM Corgi (where she mused perhaps Corgi DM is unique - interestingly enough, Dr. Clemmons sees Corgi DM as smiliar to Boxer DM and GSDM as the one that is unique).

The article I read about this study (which was published last year or maybe the year before when the results went public) showed only 2 GSD spines were used to confirm the test. When that number is shown to increase I will take another look. Until then 2 is a pretty insignficant data point.

I also was emailed by someone who said Dr. Coates has found changes in the spines of carriers and they are following a GSD who tested as a carrier yet is belived to have DM (I believe they said this was in her podcast). Only time and more data will tell and until then IMO it is premature to claim the test works for GSD. I would be happy to look at any data of GSD with confirmed DM (necropsy is still the only way to truly confirm DM) and their OFA test results. Once that number gets significant then it is worth a look to me. But for me, the number of tests mean nothing until confirmation starts coming in. IMO there is quite a bit of jumping to conclusions and then some backtracking.

this test is no different then the EIC test in Labradors and Labrador breeders have the higfhest rate of compliance when it comes to genetic testing  thank god they don't all sit around saying things like some  people seem to about this test I could see if the test was cost prohibitive but its not  what harm would it do?  is it easier to try and convince people not to do it ?? the bottomline is they are doing everything they can to try and help people and this breed which is more than can be said for people who spend all their time trying to dissuade people ,saying oh I'll sit here and wait instead of I will do anything in my power [ i.e. get my dog tested ]is apathy at best or just being cheap I'm not sure which.

---- > I could see if the test was cost prohibitive but its not what harm would it do?

Knock dogs out of a gene pool prematurely! Knock dogs out of a gene pool for a test not built around this breed, but rather for corgis, boxers, kerry blues and rhodesian ridgebacks?  Thats pretty darn harmful, IMHO. I dont care what they say or believe- they used 2 GSD spines in their research- its right there in black and white in the paper they published.

At this point in research, If carriers are detected and the incidence is 75% of the breed while only 2% get the disease, there is no way to eliminate the disease from the DM Flash test or the gene test alone. You would have to remove between 25 and 75% of the dogs; to prevent 2% from getting the disease.  if you dont consider that harmful, then I would guess nothing would be harmful to you.

Marjorie
Executive Director: New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue www.newbeginningsrescue.com 501 C3
OUR BUILDING PROJECT PHOTOS
http://www.gsd911.com Our German Shepherd Rescue Forum http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group

--- > it sounds to me like you don't want to do testing
 
I guess you have no idea who I am if you could say that to me....

Please visit www.mzjf.com
570,000+ visitors and rising

Please read

http://www.mzjf.com/2-hearts-1.htm

http://www.mzjf.com/2-hearts-2.htm

Do not even begin to  presume to tell me what I want or do not want! how DARE you! What I do not want is to see people jumping on a bandwagon and leaving the band behind. We have GERMAN SHEPHERDS- not Corgis, NOT Boxers. No one is buying into this hype but the people connected to it. Neurologists are incredulous that Dr Coates is claiming DM is ALS. It just aint so.....at least not in GSDS! In GSDS DM always progresses from the rear forward-Not so in ALS, which can start anywhere IN THE BODY. Show me ONE case of DM in the GSD that started anywhere but in the rear, and I will shut up and not say another word. Oh- and just curious- how would YOU explain the 80%-90% of people with ALS that have no change in the SOD1? I am all ears.... I am waiting....

Someone needs to buy the emperor some real clothes- this is getting so old.....

Marjorie
Executive Director: New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue www.newbeginningsrescue.com 501 C3
OUR BUILDING PROJECT PHOTOS
http://www.gsd911.com Our German Shepherd Rescue Forum http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group

I am starting to test all my dogs for DM.
So far I have tested, just 3, but plan to do all, I am also doing Thyroid, heart, and eyes!

I have tested for DM using the DM Flash test, I heard it was more accurate, the OFA said they would post the results from that test on their site, for a small fee of course

I am also reg. my dogs with CHIC
http://www.offa.org/chicdnabankfaq.html#1  

Can't hurt.....

 

I had tested 3 of my dogs so far. 
My Male Corgi, Winston is Clear,
Rookie (Shepherd), is Clear. 
Dayzee (Corgi)I am waiting for the results.
I will send off for 2 more tests as soon as I get her results back.
I ordered mine thru OFA.

KIM

www.justk9s.com