IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT re Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) - Page 3

---- > I was very disappointed to see so many hopes, possiblys and maybe's in the statement from DOGenes too. I found the information on their website about it very limited and hence I framed my own initial response to it very carefully.

I, personally would rather see *hopes*, *possiblies*,and *maybes* than someone, or an organization insisting their test was the only one to determine the future of the breed, unequivically. I think it shows that their minds are open, they are hoping their research will come to fruition and provide some needed answers, but they cannot guarantee it.  No one can guarantee anything at this point in research, for no one is omnicient, can see into the future, or has a magical crystal ball. To do so would be smug and self serving. It sounds like they would be willing to admit if their research leads nowhere. I think it shows honesty and a desire to do the right thing, by not giving to false hope. People who have DM dogs dont need more false hope or happy horsehit, excuse my language. I personally found it to be refreshing.

I cannot fault DoGenes for not putting their work on the web. Research put on the web is stolen, every day. It happened to Dr C, which is why he no longer updates his site daily, as he used to, explaining the research he was working on. Some peopleand organizations with clout  have no qualms about stealing another's intellectual property.

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate  

Excellent post Marjorie, but as you know many people will not even want to fully understand it and its full very important implications.

Having spoken at length to Mary Whitely of DOGenes, she is very excited with her discovery of a mutated gene she believes is connected with GSD DM. Mary now needs to prove this scientifically to make the necessary progress towards a truly meaningful GSD DM DNA Test. This requires many DNA samples from GSD that have been diagnosed with DM. I would ask everybody who has a GSD with diagnosed DM to contact Mary Whitely at DOGenes Inc. her email is on the first post of this thread. It costs nothing and could help us attain a major breakthrough towards a GSD DM DNA Test. Totally unjustified cynical comments, directly or indirectly, about such necessary scientific research by Mary Whitely is not going to help our breed genuinely tackle GSD DM in a scientifically correct manner.

Would someone please explain what would be the proper way to diagnose a dog with DM, according to what would be acceptable to Marjorie and Mary Whitely?

That would be a big help, I think.

--- >Would someone please explain what would be the proper way to diagnose a dog with DM, according to what would be acceptable to Marjorie and Mary Whitely?

http://mzjf.com/test.html

This explains the correct way to go about getting a correct diagnosis for DM. Please note, clinical signs alone do not make a dx of DM! Dr Coates did take some dogs into her study based on clinical signs :(  This explains the correct way to  Thats a no-no- Too many look alike condi Too  ) )
 There are too may look alike conditions- cauda equina, IVD, tumor,  tick disease, GME, giant axonal disease...OMG- the list goes on and on and on and on.

I also have been emailing back and forth with Mary, Videx. She doesnt seem like a shark, to me, but a genuine person who truly cares about animals. I dont see the AKCCHF mentality in her, thankfully. I have had it up to my eyeballs with that type.  I dont see ego driven satisfaction in her, either, or  a quest for glory. I see someone being honest who is saying *Hey- I may be onto something* and I need your help to follow through to see if I am right. I dont see someone making brash promises- if I did, I never would have emailed with her. There are way too many of those in the canine research world- we dont need another :( We are nowhere with DM now, well, actually we are in worse shape than we were in before, because people think there are answers, when in fact, there are none. What the worst thing that can happen-Mary can say I was wrong, it didnt pan out to be what I thought it would be, and we are no worse off than we are now. She is not making promises- she is asking for HELP!  There is a world of difference between the two. We cant end up in WORSE shape than we are in- watching the present emperor stand butt naked before us, destroying our breed while counting the money :( While counting the money, new genes have been discovered for ALS (which they have chosen to ignore, meaning the SOD1 cannot be soley responsible for ALS) not that it matters in the GSD world, because GSDS dont get ALS! I am glad there is progress for people, but it makes not a whit of a difference for German Shepherds.

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate  

IMO it's great to hear that there are some working together on this.

Ok give me a hand here please, I have sent an email to the university of Missouri and one to the study videx suggested. I will be testing and sending them what they are asking for in the study. if the study is not going to benefit the Gsd, then?.. It is a real possibility that I will be letting her go to rainbow bridge later this week, so I am trying to get all of this done prior. So does anyone know are both studies viable for the breed?

Frankly, I wouldnt waste my time with the U of Missouri test in relation to gsds. Its too flawed and MORE IMPORTANTLY,  DM is
NOT ALS! (Shouting from the rooftop, here!!!) DM IS NOT A MOTOR UNIT DISEASE! PERIOD, END! IT NEVER WAS AND IT NEVER WILL BE. Sorry for shouting, I am just beyond frustrated :(

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate  

Questions, Marj.

1. If the MO test is so flawed how is it that every dog diagnosed with DM has tested as an at risk using their protocol?

2. Is the Flash test still availalbe? If not, why not?

Thanks.

Doggie, if I were you, not knowing anymore than we do today and with no solid answers in sight, I'd submit samples to both studies. Is that what you are asking?

I'm very sorry that your girl isn't doing better; you've been a wonderful partner for her.

marjorie: You find Mary Whitely exactly how I find her - very genuine in her quest to find DNA tests which genuinely work. 

It is very worrying how many DOG breeders will look for any and every nit-picking excuse for NOT using a genuine DNA Test.

This is simply because "ignorance is bliss" for their Kennel and their Breeding stock. commonly known as "DENIAL" 


DENIAL
amongst breeders is contagious