Curious why so many embrace the DM DNA test? - Page 2

Why bother testing for DM at all?  The above pictures of Loki symptom free and the day before he was euthanized for DM symptoms should be one hell of an example of why bothering to test is important.

Just because the test is not specifically for what people refer to as GSDM, it doesn't mean that they can't ALSO get the other form of DM that the test looks for that other breeds can get as well.

The Silent Killer of Dogs -

Degenerative Myelopathy

we need your help...

Not only is it our obligation for the betterment of the breed to do this SIMPLE SALIVA INEXPENSIVE DNA test, its a necessity,  or it will spread like a cancer through all our dogs and destroy our breed.

Ck these OFA Stats! and look at the stats for the Pembroke Wells Corgi, the breed MOST affected by DM. (92%)  That can and will happen to the German Shepherd dog if you don't DEMAND this testing from the breeders, or simply tell them you will not purchase a dog from them! 

German Shepherd Dog stats tested dogs 644

clear	49%
carrier	30%
at risk	21%
total affected	51%

 

Understanding the DNA Test for Degenerative Myelopathy

Here the very well explained graph of results from  VETDNACENTER when all progeny is tested from one litter of a certain combination, thus even when an At Risk parent is bred to a Carrier Parent, the result can still be 50% or half of the pups born are clear (fortunately) However, the other half will be at risk and not worth the chance to take for any caring and careful breeder.

On the other hand, if a breeder has a top rated male or female which tested AT RISK,  (do not panic) then when bred to a NORMAL mate only, this combination will only produce CARRIER offspring, thus this offspring can then be bred to a NORMAL mate, test ALL offspring and choose pups which tested NORMAL only for furthering the breeding program and thereby the breeder can quickly breed out DM in its entirety. 

Results	CLEAR Parent	CARRIER Parent	AT RISK Parent
CLEAR Parent	100% Clear	50% Clear, 50% Carrier	100% Carrier
CARRIER Parent	50% Clear 50% Carrier	25% Clear, 50% Carrier, 25% at Risk	50% Carrier, 50% at Risk
AT RISKParent	100% Carrier	50% Clear, 50% at Risk	100% at Risk

I WAS TOLD TO TEST FOR DM BY A FEW BREEDER FRIENDS, SO I LOOKED WHAT DM WAS ALL ABOUT AND FOUND THIS INFO!!!
AFTER READING THIS I HAVE STARTED TESTING BY FUTURE BREEDING STOCK!
I ALSO HAD A FEW PEOPLE CALL FROM MY LAST PDB PUPPIES FOR SALE ADD, THEY ASKED IF I HAD CLEAR DM, AT THE TIME I HAD NO IDEA WHAT DM WAS< NOW THAT I KNOW, I WILL BE A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER AS WELL!

I do not understand what reeks of BS? My dog has DM! But according to the test he does not have DM as no carrier can get DM. At least that is what was published in 2008. Now it has changed since 2 carrier GSD's and 1 clear have come back with confirmed DM. I watch my beloved dog decline daily. It is heartbreaking. I am not sure what is being implied that reeks of BS. My heart aches daily. DM is most likely like HD in that it IS polygenetic! Not a single gene. Aunts, Uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents and so on have to be traced. It took years to lower the incidence of HD. And ALL of my dogs siblings had HD. Even though both patents were offa as good. I am not saying don't test. I am Saying it isn't reliable. I would feel better with brain MRI's of affected dogs. Brain changes do happen with all neurological diseases. In fact brain changes occur with people that are addicts. Why haven't there been any studies of dogs brains? I am tired of the "rule out" testing. And the DM DNA test still does not in any way shape or form confirm DM. Especially not in GSD's. Reeks of BS? Weird way to put it, IMO. As I sit here very concerned daily about my beloved dog. Gwen

My Blade is 10 times worse off than dog in photo above. And I plan on keeping him alive until his bladder, heart or front legs go. If I posted a photo of him dragging his hind end. Reeks of BS? Really sad that statement occurred. Gwen

--- >Actually the disease is similar to human MS.

Exactly, so why test for ALS, which is what Dr Coates claims DM is. thats a crock of BS!

Sadly, I KNOW I will be proved right, but by then, all meaningful DM research for our breed will have been quashed. There are not 2 kinds of DM in the GSD breed- there is ONE, and it aint ALS, it doesnt start anywhere other than the rear of the dog and its not a motor neuron disease in GSDS because they cant feel their feet. What the hell is so damn difficult to understand??? Doesnt anyone have enough brain power to UNDERSTAND the differences between ALS and GSDM???? Mind boggling...

...and honestly, when I am watching my dog die from DM, how freaking DARE anyone call a post about this BULLSHIT???? I am seriously in no mood for this crap. I left the GSDCA because there wasnt one ounce of brain power in the entire club. Now I see it has spread to the rest of the breed. Well, I will tell you what- when you have all supported research that has ZERO to do with GSDS, you become responsible for destroying the breed. I hope you can live with that. i CANT! Wake up people- dammit- you dont seem to know what  you dont know and thats scary!. yOU DONT EVEN KNOW ENOUGH TO ASK THE PROPER QUESTIONS! YOU ARE SO DEVOID OF KNOWLEDGE OF DM! GEEZ!  HOW IS THE BREED EVER TO SURVIVE WITH the SHEEP MENTALITY  OF THEIR *PROTECTERS*???? you have GSDS- not Corgis or Boxers. YOu behave like FREAKIN SHEEP  instead of behaving like the intelligent noble breed you profess to love. If you love them, then  STOP this nonsense and support GSD research- not corgi boxer research. This is just ridiculous!

Why not test for polio or Berry Berry- GSDS dont get those diseases, either. I bet there are a whole host of diseases you can test for that have zero to do with the GSD.. Do them all, instead of putting the money towards DM research of our OWN breed, OR JUST KEEP ON ADDING 2+2 AND COMING UP WITH 5 AND BEING CONTENT WITH THAT ANSWER.

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

Marj, since you don't feel this is a valid test, don't test your dogs, continue to recommend that breeders don't need to test and if you buy another GSD don't require that the parents are tested. There are more than a few GSD breeders not DNA testing for DM. Trust me, we get it by now - you don't think the Coates test is valid.

No one I know is using the results of the Coates test to elminate one single dog from a breeding program. Coates and the OFA make the recommendation to carefully consider the results and talk it over with one's vet. What can be the harm in knowing that a dog MAY or may NOT produce progeny that is at risk of developling DM? 

Don't put words in my mouth, I think you know very well what I meant when I said this reeks of BS.






 

If I am not mistaken, I think what Gwenith is saying is that her dog has DM, despite testing that stated her dog was NOT at risk, so people may be getting a FALSE sense of security in an imperfect test, whereas genetics,(history of the dog,pedigree,etc.,) is a more reliable indicator I myself just sent out two tests,although one dog is from a few generations of mine and my sisters breedings, lines we have bred for nearly 20 years and have been lucky (blessed actually), with NO genetic defects EVER surfacing.

from the OFA website

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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