For Those Who Test For DM, What Age? - Page 3

I agree with Markobytes,in Europe nobody does the DM tests and buyers of puppies or older dogs don't request it,as long the hips elbows are good that all matter.Only in America things have to be difference,just some idiots invented this unreable test,the vets and the pharmaceuticall company pushed it and they all cash in and go to the bank.What will be next?

They do test in Europe.... Here's the database http://www.dsh-spezial.de/degm/dm-datenbank.php

Thank you for sharing that VTGSD;  I was hoping they did;  if you have ever had or seen a dog exhibiting symptoms like the dog they have posted on that website;  well let me say heartwrenching is the understatement.  It is one of the most devasting diseases I have ever encountered and hope I never see it again in one of my dogs.  Soooooo I will do whatever   can possibly be done to help build an accurate database for all of the dogs as well as the owners/breeders to benefit. 

How can we do that without testing and ecropsies.  I even tested my sammie boy since he does exhibit some signs at an early age but he tested clear so I hope that holds true for the rest of "HIS" life.  Nan

You're welcome. IMO even if the test is accurate 90% of the time it's worth using as a breeding tool NOT a selling tool. If nobody uses it then there's no way to prove to them that the test isn't working, thus there would never be reason to do further research in development of a new test or look for a different gene in the GSD besides the SOD1 gene mutation that causes the disease. I only say this because it has been said by many they think that the GSD has a seperate mutation that causes DM besides the SOD1 gene that's being tested...

I feel we must not loose track and concentrate too much on any one specific disease. However, I agree that DM is important due to it's high incidence of devastation within the breed.

I couldn't say this any better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBlNCIpEX80&feature=youtu.be&t=7m49s

"Every dog is a carrier, a carrier of something"

What number of dogs declared or coming from clear parents being necropsied with DM would it take before they figure out they have a problem if they have already ignored this problem when developing this test? The test can only be used as a breeding tool only and not a selling tool if breeders did not disclose the results to buyers, it remains as a selling tool. Would a false clear hinder a veterinarian from making a diagnosis of DM? How do you know how accurate the test is if there are red flags already? How can you say the test is even 90% reliable for German Shepherd Dogs? Since the test has already proven to give false clears what impact to the breed would there be and how would you tract false carriers?

I was just generalizing at 90% if indeed it's even that. We would need to create a database filled with factual evidence only, and then and only then once we have a significatnt database of factual evidence with signature and letters from veterinarians and their clinics confirming diagnosis that can be presented in a professional manner they may listen. Sad that it takes this.

 

Vt, the labs, and especially offa, are taking in money internationally. even for a minimal individual fee, the $$$$ add up....to the beneficiaries, why fix something that isn't broke...follow the money.

So I looked on OFA under GSD for DM, if the accuracy of the test is not even at 90% that would mean we should have a list of more than 500 German Shepherds that have had inaccurate test results.

This is not even including vetgen, DDC and any other labs so I would assume we would have thousands of cases that could potentially be documented for inaccuracy of test results???

BTW, I know breeders who say they doubt the validity of the dm test yet adhere to the ofa rules governing breeding dogs per test results. But at the same time are using breeding stock that don't pass ofa hip/elbow testing.

Joan I agree it's all a bunch of BS. My point is that everyone says it's completely inaccurate. (may very well be) I'm not arguing the fact, but this topic comes up over and over. If anything is to be done instead of talking about it we (not as in me or you, but the ones that are seeing this occur over and over) need to start collecting factual information.