GREAT NEWS! DNA Test for Degenerative Myelopathy - Page 7

Blitz has DNA tested as a carrier for the gene for DM meaning he is at a high risk to produce it if bred to another carrier or an affected, but he most likely will never develop it. I will be posting his pedigree information to the Breed Betterment Board this week. His sire is Urr vom Trienzbachtal, his dam Panama von Beluga, both pedigrees are on this data base. I hope that some of those with dogs closely related will consider having their dogs DNA tested with this and/or the Flash test.

There are currently 2 DNA tests available to detect carriers and dogs that will probably develop this disease in the future. It's up to you whether or not you make use of them and then disclose those results. All researchers are saying right now it that this is a screening test and the strongest recommendation they are offering is to perhaps not breed together 2 dogs that test as carriers or affecteds. Withholding all carriers seems too  extreme to me when the disease can most likely be controlled  by simply not doubling up on the gene.

OFA is no longer publishing the names and results of dogs that test as carriers or affecteds without specific permission from owners.  It's now up to the owners whether of not they disclose those results on the OFA website.  I will be sending them that permission so Blitz's information can go on their DM/DNA web page. No point in doing something in a effort to better the breed if the results are kept secret. So far there are no GSD's listed that have tested clear with the DNA test  and only 8 that have been cleared using the Flash test. Think about that............................

Joss tested clear in the DM Flash Test. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldnt have altered him! I just couldnt stand the political show ring BS, so I altered him. He was one of the 25 % with no markers for DM. sheesh!

Missie T tested positive for the DNA marker, in DR C's Flash test and she did develop DM. Joss and Missie T are closely related but Joss was the result of an outcross breeding, and Missie T was the result of a line breeding...

I still have not gotten my results back..   seems like it's taking longer than yours did Blitzen?   I'm going to check out the website and see if I can find anything...

Heather

Heather, I'd call OFA if I were you or email them from their site. They are very quick to respond. I had Blitz's results in less than 3 weeks and the date on his report was about 2 weeks after I mailed the swab. If your girl tests positive as a carrier or as a dog that has one of the markers to develop DM, her information will not be listed on the OFA site without your written permission. Until the beginning of this week, Blitz was the only GSD listed there - a carrier - and since they revised their protocol and no longer routinely list carriers, his name has been deleted leaving only 12 dogs with DNA DM certifications as being free of the gene, none so far are GSD's. I check that site every day.

edited to delete double post

Blitzen,  did you get a request for writting permission,  how did you find out about that rule.  I was all over the OFA website and can't find the DM results anywhere,  what link did you follow, or where did you find the list for that on the website.  I am really bad about finding things on "cluttered" websites so it's probably right in front of me but I'm not "seeing" the page.  Thanks.   If I don't get it this week I'll call them.   It hasn't quite been 3 weeks yet.

Heather

Heather, go to the OFA website and click on "search records" - http://www.offa.org/search.html

Scroll down the page to "report type", go to the right hand column and scroll down to DNA,  Degenerative Myelopathy (DNA) and click on that. It will take you to a list of about 25 dogs certified clear of that gene, no GSD's as of yet. There is also a line you can click on to see the names of dogs that have been cleared using the Flash test, about 8 of them, all GSD's I think. If you want to see dogs cleared with both tests, hold down the control button and click on both DM tests - DNA and Flash. You don't need to ask for a specific breed or dog. These searches will show you all that have been cleared by the DNA and the Flash test.

At first Blitz's name was on the OFA site as a carrier.  The numbers they issue to indicate carriers have CAR on the end. Next time I looked,  his name was deleted. I pm'd OFA asking what happened, all the carriers were deleted, not only Blitz. I was told that they changed their policy and will only release the names of the "carriers" or the dogs "at risk" with permission from the owner. I then told her I wished to give that permission and she emailed me a form to print out and return along with a copy of Blitz's certificate. I assume such a form will come with  your certificate if your dog tests as a carrier or an at risk. If not, then you'll have to request one assuming you will want the results published. If you don't want them published, then you don't need to do anything. I think this is the same policy they follow for hips; they don't list the fails unless the owners give written permission. I see both sides of this policy. Some competitors are bound to use the failed results of any test in a negative way so there will always be some owners/breeders who do not want a failure to be a matter of public record. On the other hand, a health database isn't worth much unless all the results are made public  not only the desired ones. 

I'd think  you should soon have the results unless they have a lot more tests to do since I sent in Blitz's. He was the first GSD to be tested with this method.

Thank you for the info.  I didn't realize how new it was when I sent in Xip's swab!   I'll watch my mailbox and check out the link you sent and see if I can find the right page.   I'll post back when I get results in...

I just ordered the tests for my 2 GSD studs!