DM Flash Test at University of Florida - Page 1

I just wanted to let all of you know that as of March 15, Dr Clemmons will no longer be doing the DM Flash testing here at UF. At this time, we don't have another lab that we can refer patients to. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I wanted to make sure that this gets out.

That is really too bad. If I had it my way all dogs used for breeding would have to be tested for DM along with hips, elbows, cardiac, thyroid, Cerf....and  I know there are others. I know if the parents are all clear it still doesn't guarantee there is no chance of the pups having the problems because not all health issues are genetic, but it sure increases the odds of having healthy pups!

Yes, OFA is now offering DM testing.  I'm not sure how the results differ, but I think they all kind of give you the same thing, if the dog is a carrier, at-risk, or normal.

Starrchar- guess we're on the same page for breeding, I'm hoping to breed my bitch this year, I've had her OFA hips, elbows, cardiac, thyroid, DM, CERF, and DNA Profiled.  I work at a vet and belong to a GSD club.  The number of sickly GSDs that I see makes me cringe, and many of them are from "good breeders."  After searching for available stud dogs and being sadly disappointed with their lack of health testing, I got a male that hopefully I can use in the future for breeding and I will be sure to utilize available health testing.  So far, so good, DM clear.

The DM of Boxers and Corgis is not the same disease as the DM of the GSD. Therefore, it is questionable if the SOD1 test has  value with GSDS. Certainly the SOD1 has not been confirmed  to be applicable to  GSDS, unless you consider 4 GSDS to be an ample amount of German Shepherds to test, to come to this conclusion.

Marjorie
Executive Director: New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue
www.newbeginningsrescue.comhttp://www.gsdbbr.org 501 C3 pending
www.gsd911.com  A New Beginning for German Shepherds
 --> The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (including frozen/chilled semen database)
Please utilize this Health Registry to ensure a healthy future for our breed!
Be PROACTIVE!
 http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group

Flygirl- what is your position at the Uf Fla? The U of FLA would be foolish to let Dr C's lab close. Do they not know the following DR C has, and the amount of people who feel he is the only hope for GERMAN SHEPHERD DM research???? I have been drowning in private emails.  GSD people are outraged that DNA testing for GERMAN SHEPHERD DM is being handed over to Corgi/Boxer researchers on a silver platter, when this is NOT the same disease!!!! I think my computer is going to have a nervous breakdown- its used to a lot of mail, but the mail I am getting now is overhwhelming. aaargh!
 

Marjorie
Executive Director: New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue
www.newbeginningsrescue.comhttp://www.gsdbbr.org 501 C3 pending
www.gsd911.com  A New Beginning for German Shepherds
 --> The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (including frozen/chilled semen database)
Please utilize this Health Registry to ensure a healthy future for our breed!
Be PROACTIVE!
 http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group

Flygirl,

Is there a place where people can write to, to express their opinons on the closing of Dr C's lab? (Hardly anyone is a member of this board ) :( Everyone is asking me this! I am getting caught in a riptide, here! I need heeeeeeeeeeelp! I couldnt answer all the email I am getting, now, in regards to this, if I lived to be 114 yrs olds :( I am even getting emails from abroad, now!!!! Is there an email address I can just send to everyone?

Marjorie
Executive Director: New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue
www.newbeginningsrescue.comhttp://www.gsdbbr.org 501 C3 pending
 --> The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (including frozen/chilled semen database)
Please utilize this Health Registry to ensure a healthy future for our breed!
Be PROACTIVE!
 http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group

--- > Isn't there DM testing available thru the OFA's website, or is this the same thing?

No, it is NOT the same thing, at all! This test was a result of research and mainly corgis and Boxers. There were 4 gsd spines included in the research, that were confirmed DMcases- four- as in 1,2,3,4 :( The DM Flash test was a result of studying DM of the GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG! Corgi DM is not the same as the DM of the GSD and tests do not look for the same thing.

I was quite dismayed to see the e-mail from flygirl about the Flash test. I have had 2 dogs with DM. The first was before Dr. Clemmons and the second after wards. I had my second dog tested using the Flash Test and when he tested positive, began Dr. Clemmons protocol. I am sure his being on the protocol gave my boy a longer life. It is really tragic that the test will no longer be available for GSDs. DM is a difficult disease to diagnosis and the Flash Test made it possible to diagnosis DM quickly and accurately. It also can let breeders know if the disease is present in their dogs. I just hope that there is some way to keep doing the Flash Test. Flygirl, I would also like to know if there is anywhere that we can send an appeal about keeping the test. Linda

This is terrible news for GSD lovers everywhere! Not only has the Flash Test been instrumental in helping diagnose DM and in earlier stages, but so much has been learned about GSDM from the data. However we have so much more to learn and to stop now would only doom even more GSD to suffer a horrible disease and slowly fail right in front of their heart broken owners. Dr. Clemmons was able to give my beloved DM dog another 6 months of life through an experimental treatment - with improved quality of life - and NOTHING ever meant more to me than that! No one else in the world could have done that and I will never stop being grateful for that. The new gene test is not a substiitute for GSD - it was mostly based on other breeds that have a different DM than GSD and GSDM is DIFFERENT than corgi/boxer DM. The GSD NEED for Dr. C to be able to continue to offer the Flash Test - both for its diagnosic capabilities and for the data it continues to provide for ongoing research.