GREAT NEWS! DNA Test for Degenerative Myelopathy - Page 8

I have a senior dog that I have noticed when walking him his right leg would slip from time to time. His balance seems to be off in his hind quarters again from time to time. Could this be a sign of DM possibly? How would I inform the vet of the flash test?

Yes, this could be a sign of DM, or several other conditions. Here is a link to the Flash Test, to give your vet:http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/dm_flash_test_web/ This will give instructions and procedure.

It is a very reliable test in dogs that are showing sysmptoms of DM- aa good diagnostic tool. In symptomatic dogs, a positive test indicates that DM is at the very least,a part of the problem.

I plan on doing the flash test...everything I have read here kind of makes me think the OFA test is kind of a meh idea.

The DM Flash test is not 100% though as of yet, right?  I believe there was one dog in the WSGP database who was tested positive for DM but during the necropsy they found that it was not DM and was some other spinal diseas (I might be confusing this illness with another...but I think that was right)

~Cate

Got the results certificate today,  my girl is also a recessive carrier, like most gsds :o(   So good and bad news..  we won't ever have to go through the trial of DM with her down the road, if this is accurate!  It would have been cool to have a non-carrier dog, but good to know one way or another!

Heather

Heather, were you thinking about breeding her? PM me if you want. I think most GSD's are going to be carriers just like our guys. I'm just glad to have the opportunity to participate in the study. Like you I am relieved to learn that Blitz will probably not develop DM in the future. Maybe we will have a cure one day and we can say - hey, our dogs helped make that possible.

Ceph, check with Marj, but I don't think that it would be of any benefit to have your dog tested using the Flash test unless she is showing signs of DM.

Breeding at some point was always a possibility that I am keeping open.  She's still 2 months away from her ofa hip ratings though.   I'm not invested in either breeding or not breeding her, she is a learning dog for me.   Learning about raising pups,  titling, health testing.   Learning about making decisions about breeding stock,  etc.  It may end up that I breed her and keep back another pup,  or it may end up that I decide not to and buy my next pup instead.    There is a lot to take into consideration making that decision,  and I'm having fun learning about all of it.  

Next year's plan is a BH and AD,   and we are starting herding training now,  seeing where that goes.   Xrays are next though.

Heather

3 GSD's have just been added to the OFA site as being clear of the DM gene. Not much information on them, one appears to be Am lines, not sure about the other 2.  It's a start.

Sounds like some smart plans, Heather. Good luck!!

Finding a clear male to breed to would be cool,  and then screen the female pups before deciding which to keep back!  But that might not be practical or useful,  and I can see deciding to use a carrier or an unknown male based on other things they offer in a breeding.

So my moral dilemma would  be in screening the pups.   Should I end up with a pup carrying both recessives,  what do I do as a breeder at that point.  Keep it myself?  Let it go to an informed home?  Only one in ten (is that correct ?) will ever go on to show symptoms...  so the decision would be what to do with those pups.  Chances are they would go on to be normal dogs, but if not who wants to be responsible for putting that burden on a pet dog owner?  It's a lot to worry about, I have the highest respect for the amount of responsibility the breeders are taking upon themselves!

At this point it's just mental exercise,  exploring the "what if's" ,  am not making any breeding decisions for well over another year.

Heather

 Well, I finally caught up with all of this.  Thanks Marjorie and Blitzen for all your advice and instruction.   I had been too busy to breathe and today finally ordered the first 5 test for the first 5 dogs of mine to be tested.

V19 Stella vom Trompetersprung, was diagnosed with Spondylosis and therefore will not be bred, however I am having  her tested because I am curious to see IF it is DM as the symptoms are so similar and that would mean a double wammy for that great dog.    She underwent Permanent Gold Bead Implants 2 days ago (permanent accupuncture) which is as far as I know the only type of treatment that can eleviate any discomfort.    Anyone has more info pls let me know.   She is also on Cetyl daily.  

Then, I will test any remaining dogs,  for the sake of need to know and for preventative measures.  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I too hope that these small steps can bring us slowly to eliminate DM and that anyone amongst us who breed, small and large will participate.  We HAVE to start somewhere, whether its perfect or not.

I recommend to any breeder that when you purchase a dog for the breeding program that you spent the $65+ and have the dog tested no matter where in the world the dog is.  I will.   Not to be paranoid, but have the test sent to a vet in question, and have the vet do the swab, sign off on it, and have the vet sent it back to yu.     NOT the seller in other words. 

Best of Luck to all of you and your dogs! 

So far it looks like at least 15 GSD's have been tested; 12 of the results are on the OFA website. One is a carrier, my dog, one is at risk and the rest are clear. The 3 missing GSD's are either carriers or at risks whose owners have not yet given OFA permission to list their results. I didn't expect so many clears and think that's encouraging.