DM Death Statistics in the GSD among the PDB members - Page 1

Pedigree Database

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by beetree on 27 June 2012 - 13:06

Just the facts, folks. It seems there are still some who have never seen this disease, and need proof that dogs do die from it, and it is not confined to a type. At the risk of repeating ourselves, (those of us with dead dogs due to DM), I am wanting to create a list. Seems that is what a few people keep wanting me to do, so here it is.

You can follow my lead, or create your own catagories, I don't care. I just want some statistics for the statistic people to play with. Thanks all for your participation in my quest for your facts.

I'll start with my dog:

Silas. PTS 12/07
AGE: 15 months.
Aggressive Form
WLADQLAD diagnoses, (mine) all elimination tests were done. Including, MRI, spinal tap, tick diseases, all testing per the Dr. Clemmons protocol. (Walks Like A Duck, Quacks Like A Duck=WLADQLAD

Necropsy: NO, but I wish I had.


Especially, I would like a list of posters who have had dogs die recently, from DM this past year. And those that have tested genetically for DM, if they had necropsies done, as well, those results would be very useful. 



melba

by melba on 27 June 2012 - 14:06

Not a GSD, but a heinz 47 mutt, 45 lbs of soft and spunky.
Bonnie
PTS 9/11
16 yrs old ( had been fighting the good fight for 8 yrs)
Hers was a very slowly advancing DM.

I want to post this to show that it doesn't only affect GSD, or purebreds for that matter.

No official diagnosis.... WLADQLAD

Melissa

starrchar

by starrchar on 27 June 2012 - 23:06

Who can do a necropsy to determine DM- any vet or is it specialized?


by beetree on 28 June 2012 - 01:06

Not sure, about the necropsy thing, but I remember a childhood GSD we had it done on by our local vet.   The silence on this thread is disturbing. I will draw out your names/stories, eventually, from the other threads if I have to, but it would be better if you named yourselves.

by hexe on 28 June 2012 - 05:06

I've only had one GSD with DM, and in truth, it had nothing to do with why she was euthanized a week after her 14th birthday--it was disseminated hemangiosarcoma of the spleen and liver that led to crossing the Bridge.  Additionally, she didn't develop clinical signs of DM until she was 13 yrs old; she was diagnosed based on clinical signs, age, breed, ruling out of other differentials, and Dr. Clemmon's review of a videotape of her in motion. (As I've mentioned before, she's one of the dogs seen in his video showing the various stages of the disease...she's an example of early to moderate stage of the disease.)

This is just a theory on my part, but I suspect that there are varying forms--or varying triggers--of the disease within the breed; how else to explain the disorder causing severe clinical signs in dogs as young as 4 and 5 years of age, while other dogs don't even begin to show any symptoms until they are well into their advanced senior years?   Perhaps there's a genetic susceptibility to environmental factors that cause the dog's body to attack the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves, and in some dogs this isn't activated until they are elderly and their immune system in general is in decline, while other dogs are affected while still young due to an inherent or acquired flaw in their immune defenses?

Re the question of necropsy, any vet can collect the samples necessary to diagnose DM, but the samples will then need to be examined by a pathologist who can identify the tell-tale defects in the myelin; the general practitioner should contact the lab they'll be sending the sample to and obtain detailed instructions as to what samples are needed, and how they should be packaged and shipped. 

Sadly, there will likely always be people who will deny that degenerative myelopathy exists in any form, just as there will always be those who ignore allergies, and pancreatic insufficiency, and hypothyroidism, and on, and on, and on...

darylehret

by darylehret on 28 June 2012 - 05:06

Knowing only whose dog had it isn't all that useful.  I'd be interested in seeing pedigrees, and not just a total deathcount.


by hexe on 28 June 2012 - 07:06

Well, in my case, the bitch was from the older American show lines used by Wyn Strickland in the 70's and 80's, heavily linebred on Lance of Fran-Jo. Sired by Anton's Lukenbach, mother was Wynthea's Sky Lark.


dogshome9

by dogshome9 on 28 June 2012 - 09:06


I have worked in the veterinary field since 1986 and I have owned and been associated with GSD's since 1977 and have never seen or heard of a dog with DM.




by beetree on 28 June 2012 - 11:06

Interesting dogshome9, I believe you are not in the USA?

Daryl, if any one wants to share the pedigree of their dog that died of DM, I agree, it could be very useful. 

kitkat3478

by kitkat3478 on 28 June 2012 - 12:06

I am in full support of education where DM is concerned. It is a horrible ailment for everyone involved with it, very heart breaking for both the dog and owner. I have to say I have been very lucky with the health and genetics of all my Shepherds. VERY Lucky . I also would be interested in distinguishing which lines carry for it, but in doing so, we also have to be careful not to cause a false Hysteria in certain lines .I also have dogs that have Lance in there, but in close to 20 years, I have not encountered this ailment, to which I say THANK GOD . There must be ways, and Bee is a good indicator here, to get accurate and INFORMED information out there for all to use to hopefully eliminate this horrible disease, (or, at the very least, to substantialy reduce it).





 


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