For Those Who Test For DM, What Age? - Page 5

And pet dogs don't need titles or breed surveys, but they do succumb to hermangio when stricken with it. I never heard such a silly argument to not promote the study for a disease that too many people won't even admit exists.

There could be DNA tests for very disease that effects this breed and still some of you would make excuses for not using them. Test your dogs for everything or don't test them for anything.  Title, breed survey your breeding stock or don't. There will still be buyers for your dogs and isn't that what it's all about anyway? Have at it.............

get off of your high horse blitzen. Some will do more than others. I will not throw money at a problem without the promise of a solution. Gathering data does not work for me. 

BTW. I did not say that hemangiosarcoma should not be included in a DNA study. I said IMO few would take advantage of the test if there were one. I never owned a dog with DM or hemangiosarcoma.

Again, what's the harm in submitting cheek swabs  for the DM study?

 

Student, if I ever bred a litter of GSD, yes, I would climb on my high horse and make sure  I subjected both parents to every health test that would pertain to the breed and use those results accordingly. Do you think that submitting samples from your own dogs is throwing money at a problem?

''if I ever breed a litter'' you will need an even higher horse than you ride now. Where will i send the swab? i assume it is a free service? 

I believe you know that there is a $65 fee. If you don't think it's important enough to the breed to spend that amount, I know of a group of GSD breeders (ASL people)  who will help pay for it. They are trying to get as many samples as possible into that databank so the research can continue to try to identify the cause of DM in the GSD. One of them has had 3 GSD's with DM diagnosed at PM, all tested at risk and all were related to the same stud dog imported from Germany. No lines are exempt. If your dog/s qualify, you can submit their DNA at a reduced fee.
 

Why do you consider wanting to breed the best dogs possible by using all the health tests available as riding on a high horse? I'd think that would be a common goal of every dog breeder? Is there another way to breed the best litters without health testing and titling or proving the parents in some way? I've bred a different working breed for many years and used every health test that was applicable to that breed. When the dogs didn't pass the tests, they were not used for breeding period, no excuses.

From the OFA website:

Degenerative Myelopathy Research

Ongoing and Additional Research

As explained in the DM test announcement and the "Using the DNA test" sections of this website, we identified a mutation that can greatly increase a dog’s risk of developing degenerative myelopathy. We have found that dogs with 2 copies of the mutation (testing “affected”) are AT RISK for developing DM at some point in their lives. The age of onset is variable, and there are dogs that test “affected” remain free from symptoms and may die from other causes before ever showing signs of DM. On the other hand, dogs that test “carrier” (one mutant copy and one normal copy) or “clear” (two normal copies) are highly unlikely to develop DM.

We are trying to determine if there are genetic or environmental factors that explain why some dogs that test “affected” develop clincal signs of DM at 8-10 years of age, some are 12-14 or older when symptoms start, and others live into their teens and do not show signs. If genetic or environmental modifiers do exist, we want to identify them. We are also trying to develop therapies that will slow or halt the progression of clinical signs once they start, or perhaps even prevent them from appearing. We expect this ongoing research will yield benefits not only for dogs at risk of developing DM and their owners, but also for people at risk of developing ALS, the human equivalent of DM. The entire research team would like to thank all who have participated in the research so far, and encourage participation from owners and breeders and their veterinarians to assist the ongoing research.

One target of ongoing research is determining why some at risk dogs develop clinical signs relatively early (8-9 yrs of age) and others do not. Researchers at the Broad Institute are searching for possible modifier genes that may influence onset of clinical signs. For this work, we need information and samples from additional dogs. We are offering to DNA test dogs that fit our research criteria at a reduced cost.

DOGS ELIGIBLE FOR A REDUCED FEE DNA TEST:

Dogs must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a reduced cost DNA test:

1) Any dog (any breed, and mixed breed dogs) with a presumptive diagnosis of DM made by your veterinarian or a veterinary neurologist. To locate a neurologist use the "Find a Specialist" link on the ACVIM website - www.ACVIM.org

2) Sample sent is whole, unclotted blood, and our Sample Submission form and DM survey are completed and sent with the sample and fee ($50, payable to University of Missouri)

Samples for reduced cost testing must be sent as blood samples to provide the quality and quantity of DNA needed for the additional research. Please click here to download the instructions and form for sending these samples.

Dogs that do not qualify for the reduced fee DNA test may be tested using the screening test offered by OFA - click here for a link to the online store at OFA where you can order the test.

TISSUE SAMPLES ALSO NEEDED!

We also are continuing to study the pathology of this disease. To do this, we are examining tissues from the nervous system of dogs with DM symptoms, as well as older dogs that do not show any symptoms of DM. When it comes time to have your dog humanely euthanized we would be very grateful for your assistance in obtaining a necropsy (autopsy). We have a protocol that will assist with collection of tissues from specific areas of the nervous system - click here for this protocol.

 

BREEDS AT RISK for Degenerative Myelopathy

As part of this research, we have been surveying many breeds for the presence of the newly discovered mutation. Thru April 2012, we have found the mutation present in over 115 breeds, representing all sizes and types of breeds, as well as mixed breed dogs. Some of these breeds have been previously reported with individuals diagnosed with DM and others have not. We are VERY interested in blood samples and spinal cord samples from presumptively diagnosed dogs of ANY BREED, so that we can confirm the presence of the disease using all useful diagnostic methods.

Now, nearly 4 years after announcing the discovery of the mutation and making DNA testing available, spinal cord sections have been examined from individuals representing over 20 breeds and mixed breed dogs. DM has been confirmed in this wide variety of breeds and mixes. We continue to recruit samples from additional dogs, especially from breeds where we have not previously had the opportunity to examine cords.

Blitzen, you said, There could be DNA tests for very disease that effects this breed and still some of you would make excuses for not using them. Test your dogs for everything or don't test them for anything.  Title, breed survey your breeding stock or don't. There will still be buyers for your dogs and isn't that what it's all about anyway? Have at it.............
So are you implying here, on a public forum that I haven't tested my dogs? And your last sentence is an insult that You can direct at those friends of yours who deserve it. BTW, blitzen, there is Zero test for hemangio because everybody is worried about DM. How many thousands of dollars have you spent on Cheek Swabs? I've spent close to three thousand dollars over the years for 'a simple cheek swab what can it hurt'.....and it hasn't done a fricken thing for creating 'buyers for my dogs'. You know why? Because I don't sell dogs or puppies to people who's first question is, are they dm tested, there are much more important criteria for making the decision to buy or not. Its up to me to be honest and have integrity based on health and quality of my dogs when choosing to breed or not...not you or any body else who takes it upon themselves to impose directives on how to choose dogs to breed or sell, for that matter. I thought I made it clear to you in private conversations years ago that I've done the requiset DM swabs on my dogs. All I'm saying is that hemangiosarcoma is a much more devastating problem for MOST breeds, not just the gsd...and to date there is NO test for it. You and others constantly harping on this DM thing, is like somebody bitching about the color of their house when the roof is caving in.

Guidelines for Breeding dogs who are Carrier or At Risk for DM

Owners with dogs testing as Carriers (A/N), or At-Risk (A/A) are strongly encouraged to share these results with their attending veterinarian and seek genetic counseling when making breeding decisions. 

The “A” (mutated) allele appears to be very common in some breeds. In these breeds, an overly aggressive breeding program to eliminate dogs testing A/A or A/N might be devastating to the breed as a whole because it would eliminate a large fraction of the high quality dogs that would otherwise contribute desirable qualities to the breed. Nonetheless, DM should be taken seriously. It is a fatal disease with devastating consequences for the dog, and can be a trying experience for the owners that care for them. A realistic approach when considering which dogs to select for breeding would be to treat the test results as one would treat any other undesirable trait or fault. Dogs testing At-Risk (A/A) should be considered to have a more serious fault than those testing as Carriers (A/N). Incorporating this information into their selection criteria, breeders can then proceed as conscientious breeders have always done: make their breeding selections based on all the dog’s strengths and all the dog’s faults. Using this approach and factoring the DM test results into the breeding decisions should reduce the prevalence of DM in the subsequent generations while continuing to maintain and improve upon positive, sought after traits.

We recommend that breeders take into consideration the DM test results as they plan their breeding programs; however, they should not over-emphasize the test results. Instead, the test result should be one factor among many in a balanced breeding program.

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