IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT re Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) - Page 7

--- >What are the current statistics on this, it would support your argument so I am presuming that you are keeping some data on it?

I havent been keeping data on it, but I should. I am just so busy with Missie T I hardly get to my emails and usually only go on the internet to check for support group questions my mods cannot answer with an SOS in  their email header that something needs my immediate attention, or I am following something, online. I have gotten emails from people about the results of tests, or people who know someone who had the U Of Missouri test when the results come back not as expected, upon necropsy. Not many choose to do a necropsy, so it will be very hard to gather data. I will begin keeping emails from now on, in relation to this sunbject, so I can build a database. Thats a very good idea, but again, how many will actually do a necropsy I really dont know. My guess is not many, but you are correct- it would be  a VERY good way  to gather much needed data.  :( Again, I also dont know how people will even  know I am going to keep stats, or how to even let them know. I would appreciate it if those of you reading this thread would pass the word around that I will be keeping these stats, to email me if they necropsy their dogs with the subject title Necropsy and the U of Missouri DNA Test if the rssults dont jive.
 
I dont know what the U of Missouri has said about the test results not being consistent with the test. I have zero contact with them. I certainly wish they wouldnt automatically give a clear to progeny of clear dogs, for as stated, there has been no generational follow up, as the dog ages, to see if this is even valid, over time. That would have been the responsible thing to have done before making pronouncements, IMHO. This discounts imprinting-basically the concept that other genes influence the expression of the main genes that are thought to control genetic disease transmission. The concept of gene “imprinting” is  where some genes turn on or off and those influence whether other genes function and therefore create consequences. If you don’t find which other genes determine whether the “primary” gene acts, you are missing the answer.   triggers are environment and other factors which are set at puberty. If you have the SOD1 change (or the change in the DM Flash test) and your DNA (Dark DNA if you want) imprints at puberty in the wrong way, then you get GSDM. Otherwise, you do not. 

 If you don’t find which other genes determine whether the “primary” gene acts, you are missing the answer.  

---> I would like to see the DNA results of puppies produced by at risk x at risk.
me, too. I would like to see generational follow ups of all, however.
 

Marj, were either of Missy's parents DNA tested using either protocol?

No they werent tested :( Her breeder went through a divorce and had to place all her dogs :( Joss was tested, and he was negative on the Flash Test.  He was 11 years old when he had to be euthanized due to vet error  (I learned the hard way that I am not capable of murder), and he did not exhibit any DM signs.
 Missie T and Joss's grandfather were brothersMissie T and Joss are closely related on both sides of their pedigree- you can see this by comparing their pedigrees...
http://www.mzjf.com/missie_pedigree.htm   
 http://www.mzjf.com/joss_pedigree.htm  http://www.mzjf.com/joss_pedigree.htm
 

I am so glad I found this, I lost my GSD to DM. It was the worst thing ever to see her slowly die from this with everything we did to try to save her. We spent our savings 2 years ago. She was "affected" on both sides. Her poor back feet were missing hair from he dragging her back toes ( buckling over ) so we spent money going from vet to vet begging for help. There was nothing to do to save her. We had her creamated. I have had friends that had dogs were carrier's and doing well so far.
This forum is full of so much info that I am so overwhelmed by it. There is info I never evne knew about until now. I just bought a new GSD pup where the parents are clear.
after reading this site, it changes my mind on DM. It is a lot to digest after dealing with my beloved girls death. I too was in denial about this conditon hoping, begging & crying that is was not true.
I had to put her down, she died in my arms. I dont blame the breeder, they did not know at the time of the breeding. They just did not know. I tested her with OFA & now I see that OFA testing might not be 100% with other test. I was told that before so that is why with my last dog I went with DDC testing. So it is true after all. How correct are these test? I then had
another dog I had I tested, she came up as a carrier, I did the 50 yard dash backwards in TWO SECONDS with her. She was so sweet, but needed a stronger dog! I could not bear to deal with that in anyway again. I was assured over & over by OFA & DDC that she would not change to affected since only 1 parent was a carrier & the other parnent was clear. ok
I think I am going to go now, it is too much for me with all the memories.
To those that do have DM affected dogs, I will pray for you & your beloved babies.
good night all  :)

--- >I feel that this must be formally taken up with the UofM if the evidence is available..  

Rest assured that when have the time, it will be formally taken up, but not with the U of Missouri.....Dont u find it curious that they are claiming that ALS is the animal model of ALS and the ALS Society has no knowledge of this? I pray I wont have the time for many moons to come, although I know my prayers are not realistic. However, there will come a time when my time is not consumed by caring for Missie t, and when I do, nothing is going to stop me from doing what needs to be done.

Thank God for Dr C- he has, through his research, enabled Missie T to get back up and walk, once she was already down. However, the research program she is on is not a cure, especially at the advances stages of her disease. She has had a lot of extra quality time, because of his experimental program, though, and I treasure each and every day. However, I feel sorry for other DM dogs, who couldnt be a part of his research trial because they deserved to have the same chance at a longer life, with quality, as Missie T has had, but cant, due to politics steering research money away.

Oregon, my heart goes out to you...  DM is such a horrid disease- there are so many awful diseases our breed develops, but DM is the worst, IMHO. The dogs feel no pain,and one just sits, helpless, while their beloved fur kids waste away in front of our eyes, and its the worst feeling in the world to be so helpless and unable to do anything about it. Honestly, I dont know how the OFA could say what they said, as they dont understand the science behind the U of Missouri test. When Dr Clemmons was doing the DM flash Test, he made it clear that there were no guarantees, because it is way too early in the research to know what will happen in the future.  He cautioned against jumping to premature conclusions and labeling dogs or removing them from the gene pool based upon research that is in its infancy. To be accurate, and to claim, with certainty, that a dog will be DM free, one would have to follow many generations to make the kind of statements that are being bandied about with the U of Missouri test. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that there is a sole gene that causes DM. I am so sorry you were touched by DM. Once enveloped in the DM nightmare, it becomes an experience that one will carry with them to their grave, it is so traumatic. I am so sorry for the loss of your fur kid.  One never gets over the loss of a dog to DM- one just learns to live with it, but the scars are carried forever, as permananetly as one's name :( I know-sadly,  I have walked this road before and once again, I have found myself on the same path... I , however, will never own a GSD again, as much as I love the breed. They have been bred to implode, and the politics are way too destructive and petty for me to be able to have another, ever again.

I , however, will never own a GSD again, as much as I love the breed. They have been bred to implode

Someone here once stated that the GSD breed was one of the healthiest breeds of pedigree dogs in the world.

I disagreed.

--- > Someone here once stated that the GSD breed was one of the healthiest breeds of pedigree dogs in the world.

 Yeah- and I am 17 yrs old ;) Better chance of me waking up tomorrow morning and being 17 than there is a chance of the above being a true statement. Do you see breeders flcoking to the German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry to enter their dogs? Dont hold your breath.

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