Degenerative Myelopathy testing in the UK? - Page 1

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Abby Normal

by Abby Normal on 19 May 2011 - 23:05

I have been following the DM testing thread on the all breeds board. Most contributors are from the US. I was wondering whether the GSDL or BC or whoever, are planning to set up a DM testing scheme, or at least promoting the fact that it is available ?

I was also wondering whether there is currently a way of establishing breeders who are breeding from tested dogs in the UK?  I have a friend whose dog is deteriorating with DM, and many years ago I had a dog affected by DM. It is something you never forget, it is a tragic and miserable disease taking down otherwise perfectly healthy dogs, with no cure or treatment available. You simply watch your dog lose the ability to walk. It is so very sad.  Anyway, I am hoping to find breeders in the UK who do test that my friend can approach when the time comes for her to get another puppy. Once you've had a dog struck down with DM you NEVER want another one. Now, at last there appears to be a way of tackling this disease in the long term with the advent of the DM test.

Also are breeders in the UK planning on taking up this test? DM is a late onset disease, and so many puppies may have been produced from affected parents by the time the disease manifests itself (my friend's dog for example is nearly 13).

Thanks

Abby Normal

by Abby Normal on 20 May 2011 - 11:05

I can't believe it. Doesn't anyone know of a good breeder who is DM testing in the UK?

I've checked out quite a few well known breeders myself, and have yet to find DM tested on any of them.

What about the breed clubs? GSDL? anything?

Abby Normal

by Abby Normal on 20 May 2011 - 11:05

Getting more disheartened by the second. Just had a look on the GSDL website, in the health section. The page for 'CDRM' does not even state that a test is now available.

What the hell is going on with breed health in the UK? Did someone turn the lights out and go home?


Videx

by Videx on 21 May 2011 - 10:05


INFORMATION FOR DM TESTING IN THE UK
http://www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/showGeneticTest.jsp?testID=8158D
 

Videx

by Videx on 21 May 2011 - 11:05

Breeds
All Dog Breeds , Boxer , Cardigan Welsh Corgi , Chesapeake Bay Retriever , German Shepherd , Pembroke Welsh Corgi , Poodle , Rhodesian Ridgeback , Wire Fox Terrier .

 
The Disease
Canine degenerative myelopathy (also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 7 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. As of July 15, 2008 the mutated gene responsible for DM has been found present in 43 breeds including German Shepherds, Boxers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and both breeds of Welsh Corgis. The disease is chronic and progressive, and resulting in paralysis.

 
Clinical Signs
Degenerative myelopathy initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness and loss, and lack of coordination. These cause a staggering effect that may appear to be arthritis. The dog may drag one or both rear paws when it walks. This dragging can cause the nails of one foot to be worn down. The condition may lead to extensive paralysis of the back legs. As the disease progresses, the animal may display symptoms such as incontinence and has considerable difficulties with both balance and walking. If allowed to progress, the animal will show front limb involvement and extensive muscle atrophy. Eventually cranial nerve or respiratory muscle involvement necessitates euthanasia. Progression of the disease is generally slow but highly variable. The animal could be crippled within a few months, or may survive up to three years

 

Videx

by Videx on 21 May 2011 - 11:05

Trait of Inheritance Tow alleles are invloved in Degenerative Myelopathy, A and G, therefore a test result can be A/A, A/G, or G/G. G allele is dominante to the A allele. Dogs with A/G or G/G test results are very unlikely to develop the disease. Dogs with A/A test results may or may not develop the disease. In the seven breeds that have been studied (Boxer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Standard Poodle)All dogs that suffered Degenerative Myelopathy, when tested their test results were A/ A BUT not all dogs with A/A have suffered the disease and some dogs with A/A have only showed symptoms of the disease at an old age, as late as 15 years of age.
Inheritance : AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE trait  
 
Sire   Dam   Offspring
         
Clear x Clear > 100% Clear
         
clear x carrier > 50%  Clear + 50% carriers
         
clear x affected > 100% carriers
         
carrier x Clear > 50%  Clear + 50% carriers
         
carrier x carrier > 25% clear + 25% affected + 50% carriers
         
carrier x affected > 50% carriers + 50% affected
         
affected x Clear > 100%  carriers
Videx

by Videx on 21 May 2011 - 11:05

Clear

Genotype: N / N [ Homozygous normal ]

The dog is noncarrier of the mutant gene.

It is very unlikely that the dog will show signs of the Degenerative Myelopathy  

Carrier

Genotype: N / DM [ Heterozygous ]

The dog carries one copy of the mutant gene and one copy of the normal gene.

It is very unlikely that the dog will show signs of the Degenerative Myelopathy  

Affected

Genotype: DM / DM [ Homozygous mutant ] 

The dog carries two copies of the mutant gene and therefore it will pass the mutant gene to its entire offspring.

The dog may or may not show signs of the disease

Videx

by Videx on 21 May 2011 - 11:05


I BELIEVE MOST PEOPLE USE BUCCAL SWABS

http://www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/showGeneticTest.jsp?testID=8158D

A DM TESTING SCHEME CAN EASILY BE SET UP BY
THE GSD BREED COUNCIL - WITH THE KENNEL CLUB
ALL RESULTS WOULD THEN BE SENT TO THE KENNEL CLUB FOR PUBLICATION

 

Sample Requirements
Buccal Swabs or 0.5 - 1 ml blood in EDTA Blood Tube

Turnaround
7 working days

Price
£ 75.00 (including VAT)



Abby Normal

by Abby Normal on 21 May 2011 - 15:05

Thank you Videx. I am aware that your website carries a detailed health section for DM. I was truly beginning to wonder whether anyone gave a damn about DM.

What I find disturbing is that those who should be 'steering' breed health don't appear to be aware of it. The BC website does not mention it but seems to reference little to do with breed health anyway, and whilst the GSDL website mentiions the disease, it makes no mention of a test being available.  The KC DNA health tests section offers the information on DM testing and where it can be done, though they reference the University of Missouri for it. 

I am also concerned at the apparent lack of take up by UK breeders, although I will be very grateful if anyone can advise any breeders that do, working or show lines, preferably no further north than Yorkshire. 

DM is such a tragic disease, and GSD's are beset by it (but Corgi's are in a far worse position apparently).

IMO this is this is a breakthrough second only to finding a test for Epilepsy.    

A DM TESTING SCHEME CAN EASILY BE SET UP BY
THE GSD BREED COUNCIL - so why does nothing ever happen?                                                                      

Videx

by Videx on 21 May 2011 - 17:05

The simple and honest truth is: the GSD Breed Council is a subtantially useless organisation. Why GSD Clubs retain their membership is beyond any reasonable understanding. There is so much more the Breed Council could and should be doing, particularly on serious health issues and DNA parentage testing, yet they do very little and take years yapping uselessly about any serious issues, apparently waiting and hoping someone somewhere may do it instead.




 

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