IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT re Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) - Page 5

Marjorie, thank you for your detailed reply. I certainly will take my time and carefully read what you have put here, with the hope to increase my understanding of the issue.

A very interesting and informative thread - thank you Marjorie and Videx.

If the MO test is so flawed why have all GSD diagnosed with DM DNA tested at risk using their protocol? I know I asked that before, but haven't seen the answer. Maybe I missed it.


Also if the Flash test is still available and if an owner is willing to pay for it and cover the cost, why can't they get it done?

I am no less confused now that I was yesterday.

 

I think Coates should be given the opportunity to read this thread and respond to it if she wants. Is it against the TOS to forward this to a non-member (or is she a member)? I want to hear all sides of the arguement. 

Exactly Blitzen. I wish we knew if they know about this debate, and I would love to hear what they have to say.

I'm going to send Coates an email.

-- > Also if the Flash test is still available and if an owner is willing to pay for it and cover the cost, why can't they get it done?
 
because there is no staff to do it anymore. There is only Dr C, who is teaching, taking courses himself, working at the small animal clinic, etc. He is only one person and there are finite hours in a day.  He cannot do it on a large scale.  I cannot understand why this wold be incomprehensible. The AKCCHF and the OFA jumped on the Coates bandwago, with the power of their organization and publicity  and that shut him down, for all practical purposes.

I cannot answer why GSDS tested at risk because I know for a fact that Dr C has necropsied many dogs found to have DM that had no change to the SOD1. If the SOD1 was the cause of DM,there surely should have been a change to the SOD1. 

Blitzen

As Rhett Butler said in "Gone with the Wind "   "Frankly, Scarlett, I dont give a damn..."  Email anyone you want to.  Obviously she believes she is right, and the money is being dropped like mana from the Heavens. The bottom line is that there have not been generations followed to prove that a clear will always be clear and not develop DM.  There is no follow up to show that a carrier will not develop DM, but pass it on. There is already evidence to the contrary. There is also evidence that dogs tested clear have been found to have DM upon necropsy.   At this point in time, the premise is just premature, and once again, the etiology of GSDM and ALS are different. The disease presents differently and there are no ifs and or buts about it! Diagnostic test results are different between the 2 diseases and thats a FACT, not an opinion. Period, end.  I am not going to waste my breath anymore. I have a sick dog and this is taking precious time from her. Everyone can believe what they wish to believe!   I have explained and tried to educate. One cannot educate people who do not wish to be educated. This is beginning to remind me of a conversation I had with an  officer of the GSDCA. I tried to explain things to her and she said "I am not capable of understanding".  I said I can talk to you in lay persons terms. She answered that she had no desire to learn. That about says it all. There aint nothing more to say.

Sorry I sound so cranky. I am just exhausted, upset about Missie T ( her time here is not long) and the fact that people are claiming to have answers when they dont. If the symptoms dont fit, it is just not the same disease, and there is no way to make it so. It makes me very anrgy as we are not talking abiout the same disease, and claiming it does no one any favors- it just hurts DM dogs and their owners. I just cannot read anymore- its too upsetting to me... My time is better spent with Missie T... I dont know what tomorrow will bring..

Marjorie: You have made valiant attempts to educate, and impart your knowledge and experiences of this disease. You have done far more than anyone could expect. Sadly some will most definitely fall on "stony ground".

You stated: "One cannot educate people who do not wish to be educated." 
Absolutely true, I would most certainly go further. There are many people who simply cannot be educated above a certain level, this level  varies, particularly depending on their level of intellect, and there are some who are so conditioned mentally, that they resist acceptance of information which doesn't suit them or fit in with their pre-conceptions.