This is a placeholder text
Group text
by Blitzen on 04 December 2012 - 21:12
Again, it's DNA test available to those who wish to use it. There can be strong arguements made pro and con. Just like xraying hips and elbows, checking eyes, thyroid, cardiac function, temperament, titles,everyone has their own opinion on what is a priority for them. Same for buyers and those seeking a stud dog.
by beetree on 04 December 2012 - 21:12
by CMills on 04 December 2012 - 22:12
I agree with Blitzen. Why not test your potential breeding stock? Dont you want to know your.dogs.could.possibly produce? To me anything I can learn.about my dogs is beneficial. And no the test MAY not be.100% accurate but Id still rather know.
by BlackthornGSD on 04 December 2012 - 22:12
What I have read says that there seems to be two diseases that are called DM--one is a progressive loss of motor control in the hind limbs (often compared to ALS in humans). The other is a loss of *sensation* and/or motor control (often compared to MS in humans).
The DNA test has found a strong correlation between the presence of the SOD1 gene and the DM disease that is a progressive loss of motor control. Still, the presence of this gene alone does not mean a dog will get the disease--something like 10% of dogs who test as carriers of 2 SOD1 genes will get DM. There are probably some other factors that act as catalysts that determine whether or not a dog with 2 of these genes ("at risk" dogs) will end up developing DM--these catalysts could be genetic or they could be environmental or both.
But what GSD owners have found is that sometimes (although very rarely) their dog who does not carry the SOD1 gene gets DM. And a few times, dogs who have only one copy of the SOD1 gene get DM. (What I don't know for sure is whether this is the sensory DM versus the motor DM that these dogs have developed.)
So, you can say your dog tested clear/clear, and that's the best we can do for now. I believe that if I can greatly reduce the chance of producing dogs with DM by never breeding two dogs who both have the SOD1 gene, then I should do my best to do so. But I think it's important for breeders *and* buyers to understand that this does not mean that the dog is guaranteed never to get DM.
The problem is that this is a fairly complex issue and there is no graceful shorthand or simple wording to state in an advertisement that the puppies of a litter can be considered "not at risk" for DM. I try to just list the status for the parents, if it is known, and explain the testing in greater detail when talking to puppy buyers.
And, until we know more, I believe in doing the testing we can do and making informed decisions that will not knowingly produce a +/+ dog who is at risk. I do not think it would be good practice to shun a dog who is a carrier or even at risk -- it just means he needs to be bred to clear (-/-) partners.
Christine
The DNA test has found a strong correlation between the presence of the SOD1 gene and the DM disease that is a progressive loss of motor control. Still, the presence of this gene alone does not mean a dog will get the disease--something like 10% of dogs who test as carriers of 2 SOD1 genes will get DM. There are probably some other factors that act as catalysts that determine whether or not a dog with 2 of these genes ("at risk" dogs) will end up developing DM--these catalysts could be genetic or they could be environmental or both.
But what GSD owners have found is that sometimes (although very rarely) their dog who does not carry the SOD1 gene gets DM. And a few times, dogs who have only one copy of the SOD1 gene get DM. (What I don't know for sure is whether this is the sensory DM versus the motor DM that these dogs have developed.)
So, you can say your dog tested clear/clear, and that's the best we can do for now. I believe that if I can greatly reduce the chance of producing dogs with DM by never breeding two dogs who both have the SOD1 gene, then I should do my best to do so. But I think it's important for breeders *and* buyers to understand that this does not mean that the dog is guaranteed never to get DM.
The problem is that this is a fairly complex issue and there is no graceful shorthand or simple wording to state in an advertisement that the puppies of a litter can be considered "not at risk" for DM. I try to just list the status for the parents, if it is known, and explain the testing in greater detail when talking to puppy buyers.
And, until we know more, I believe in doing the testing we can do and making informed decisions that will not knowingly produce a +/+ dog who is at risk. I do not think it would be good practice to shun a dog who is a carrier or even at risk -- it just means he needs to be bred to clear (-/-) partners.
Christine
by joanro on 04 December 2012 - 22:12
bcrawford, gotcha.
Blackthorn, agreed.
Blackthorn, agreed.
by CMills on 04 December 2012 - 23:12
excellent post blackthorn!
by Blitzen on 05 December 2012 - 01:12
Christine.
by Jyl on 05 December 2012 - 03:12
Keith Grossman,
Here are the 3 places that I know of that do DM testing....
1. OFA
2. VetDNA Center
3. Animal Genetics
BlackThorn,
That was a very nice post.
Here are the 3 places that I know of that do DM testing....
1. OFA
2. VetDNA Center
3. Animal Genetics
BlackThorn,
That was a very nice post.
by Jyl on 05 December 2012 - 03:12
by Jyl on 06 December 2012 - 07:12
As someone posted earlier, I would be very interested as well if a dog was tested at all 3 places (OFA, VetDNA center, and Animal Genetics) if the results would be the same or different.
All that aside, DM is a very devistating disease that is not easy at all for the owners or dogs to go thru. So if there is a test out there, like the ones offered, I am all for it.
All that aside, DM is a very devistating disease that is not easy at all for the owners or dogs to go thru. So if there is a test out there, like the ones offered, I am all for it.
Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top
