The DM Fear
I have meaning to do a blog update as everything has been dreamy and wonderful over here in puppy land. Unfortunately, I only get around to updating when I am nervous and would like some advice.
I got Arrow from a pregnant rescue. I knew this meant no health testing, and a risk. I went with blind joy for a tailed pem and figured life will throw me what it will.
However,
It was just posted in his family's facebook group that his brother was tested as a carrier of DM.
I didn't want to know anything either way.
But now knowing his brother is a carrier, even though I wanted ignorance, leaves me a little panicked because that doesn't exactly rule anything out. He could be clear, a carrier, or at risk since his brother is a carrier. Am I right?
Here's the question - is it worth getting tested?
Is there anything I could do if he does come up testing at risk? Are there things to do even if I do no testing, just in case?
Or if he is at risk, he is, and it may or may not happen but there's not much I can do over here.
I am scared if I am knowing he is at risk means I will know his whole life and will be helping him live it with fear of his little legs. Or will knowing mean I can get crazy corgi owner and do a million things I wouldn't do otherwise to prevent DM. Ugh.
panic. unsureness. My sister says he is the best no matter what so just don't do the testing but I got ask to see if you know some top secret tips or some serious first hand advise on the topic.
fear.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Degenerative Myelopathy Testing
A DNA Test for DM
The collaborative efforts of Dr Joan Coates and Dr Gary Johnson and associates at the University of Missouri and Dr Kirsten Lindblad-Toh and Dr Claire Wade and associates at the Broad Institute at MIT/Harvard have resulted in identification of a mutation that is a responsible for the development of Degenerative Myelopathy in many breeds of dogs.
The DNA test for DM is now available through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). This test clearly identifies dogs that are normal (have 2 normal copies of the gene), those who are carriers (have one normal copy of the gene and one mutated copy of the gene), and those who are at much higher risk for developing DM (have 2 mutated copies of the gene - designated affected/at risk). The age of onset of symptoms can vary from 6 to 15years of age or older, and some dogs who are genetically at risk for DM will die from other causes before any DM symptoms appear. Factors that may influence the age of onset of symptoms are the topic of current research - at this time we cannot predict which of the genetically at risk dogs will have an early appearance of clinical signs, and which will have a delayed onset.
A relatively high percentage of dogs in several breeds have the predisposing mutation. With the testing done thus far (thru February 2011), the frequency of the mutation is over 70% in Boxers, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and Wire Fox Terriers. There are another 10 breeds where the mutation frequency is over 40%. For breeds with a high frequency of the DM mutation, it will take wise use of the test and several generations to maintian a healthy and diverse gene pool while reducing the prevalence of DM. It is important for breeders and owners to keep in mind all the traits present in an individual dog, and not to simply breed a test result. We encourage breeders to DNA test potential breeding stock and consider the results of the DM test as part of their evaluation and decision-making process.
Understanding the DNA Test for Degenerative Myelopathy
We have discovered a mutation in a gene which is associated with development of degenerative myelopathy (DM). In that gene, the DNA occurs in two possible forms (or alleles). The “G” allele is the predominant form in dogs that seldom or never develop DM; you can think of it as the “Good” allele. The “A” allele is more frequent in dogs exhibiting clinical signs of DM; you can think of it as the “Affected” allele.
Summary: “A” allele is associated with DM; “G” allele is not associated with DM.
Since an individual dog inherits two alleles (one from the sire and one from the dam) there are three possible test results: two “A” alleles; one “A” and one “G” allele; and, two “G” alleles. Summary: Test results can be A/A (affected/at risk), A/G (carrier), or G/G (normal) .
Microscopic examination of a section of spinal cord (following euthanasia) is the "gold standard" for diagnosing and confirming DM. We do not have the opportunity to examine cord samples from all the dogs that have died or been euthanized due to DM, but for those cords submitted for evaluation, and where the cellular changes have been consistent with a diagnosis of DM, the dogs have had a DNA test result of A/A in all but 2 individuals. There is additional work being done to better understand these 2 exceptions, but it is clear that the vast majority of real DM cases do have the A/A test result.
Summary: Dogs that test A/G or G/G are very unlikely to develop DM. Dogs that test A/A are likely to develop clinical signs of DM at some point as they age. Additional research now in progress is focused on understanding why some A/A dogs show clincal signs of DM at 7 or 8 years of age while others only begin to show clinical signs at 14 or 15yrs or older, or may die from some other cause without developing recognized clinical signs of DM.
The “A” allele is very common in some breeds. In these breeds, an overly aggressive breeding program to eliminate the dogs testing A/A or A/G might be destructive 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 dogs and a very unpleasant experience for the owners who care for them. Thus, a realistic approach when considering which dogs to select for breeding would be to consider dogs with the A/A or A/G test result to have a fault, just as a poor top-line or imperfect gait would be considered faults. Dogs that test A/A should be considered to have a worse fault than those that test A/G. Dog breeders could then continue to do what conscientious breeders have always done: make their selections for breeding stock in light of all of the dogs’ good points and all of the dogs’ faults. Using this approach over many generations should substantially reduce the prevalence of DM while continuing to maintain or improve those qualities that have contributed to the various dog breeds.
Summary: We recommend that dog breeders take into consideration the DM test results as they plan their breeding programs; however, they should not over-emphasize this test result. Instead, the test result is one factor among many in a balanced breeding program.
My thought is at anytime our beloved Corgis can get cancer, hit by a vehicle or some other horrible disease...we can love them and enjoy them for as long as we can but we can't always control the future. People as well as our Corgis can get sick and we can't live our lives worrying about the future...enjoy that cute little rascal:)
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Very informative, Jane. Thanks for posting.
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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As far as I know there is nothing you can do to prevent DM, so there's no reason to treat him any differently than a normal dog. It also only affects senior dogs (the youngest I've heard of was 8) so you have no reason to worry for quite a long time.
Even if he was tested "at risk", that is not a guarantee that he will get DM. It means he could get it. 52% of pems that have been tested by the OFA are "at risk", but I believe only about 2% actually get the disease.
Doing the testing is up to you. For me the only real reason to do testing on a non-breeding dog would be to rule out other issues later in life. So if for example he was tested as "clear" and started dragging his feet as a senior, I could know for sure that it was not DM.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Despite what you may read on some privately run websites about DM, it is not a rampant scourge of Corgis. It IS rampant in the gene pool, but it seems only something like under 2% of Corgis get it, mostly late in life. That is a low, low risk relative to all the other age-related illnesses any dog can get.
Unless you are participating in a research project, there is no reason to test an asymptomatic non-breeding dog. I know it's worrisome to read about a scary disease. However, so little is know about it.
The original research indicated that all affected dogs were "At Risk" (carrying two copies of the recessive gene). However, as research has progressed, at least a few "carrier" dogs and even two "clear" dogs developed DM that was confirmed with necropsy. So even knowing your dog is "clear" is not a 100% sure thing that the dog won't get DM.I had posted the latest research I found a few months back. I hope you find this helpful:
http://mycorgi.com/forum/topics/ongoing-degenerative-myelopathy-res...
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Don't bandage your head if it's not broken! Genetic testing is essential, when available, in breeding stock, not in pets. Your initial instincts served you well, worrying will not serve you well at all. Enjoy your pup.
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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I refuse to test Franklin simply because I don't want to spend his life worrying about a "what if". There's nothing you can do about it anyway so what's the point in testing in the first place? I prefer the ignorance is bliss route with this. Unless in the next few years they make some huge discovery on how to treat or prevent DM, I have no interest in knowing what his carrier status is.
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Permalink Reply by Lydia J Hilles on
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if both parents have DM, then 50% of puppies have it, 25% are at risk, and 25% are clear.. So your looking at about a 75% chance that your dog has it or is at risk. DM is actually more common in corgis then most think, they are the second dog on the list of at risk breeds and usually surfaces around 7-12 yrs of age. theres no preventative care but if i where you, i would get the test because if the puppy is clear, AWESOME! if not, it would be good to know and be able to start a saving for any care your dog may need in the future. its not to be worried about, but rather you need to be prepared for the care that will come in the future.
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Permalink Reply by Karen Dadisman on
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If both parents have DM or at risk, then they both have 2 recessive genes for DM and all of their pups would have 2 recessive genes for DM and have DM or be at risk. If one parent has DM (2 recessive genes for DM) and one parent is a carrier (one recessive gene for DM and one dominant gene for no DM), then 75% of the pups receive 2 recessive genes for DM and have DM or are at risk and 25% of the pups receive one recessive DM gene and one dominant no DM gene and are carriers. If both parents are DM clear (2 dominant no DM genes), the pups receive 2 dominant no DM genes and are usually OK. Remember, the percentages cover all pups ever born to these sets of parents and are only indications of the "chance" of the pups getting these genes. As the research states, only 2% of Corgis get DM and there have been dogs (2) who had DM with 2 dominant no DM genes. Genetics is a crap shoot and just gives an indication of the CHANCES things could happen.
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yes. but it is still importaint to know. something that needs to be planned for if the dog has DM, if not then it matters not. hopefully the pup is clear and healthy :) but its important to be ready and know whats going on if the brother has DM. so easy to forget the costs of medical care for dogs, and if it happens its best to have the money put away then try to pull it out of a stretched paycheck, or god forbid you got laid off and couldn't get a job that paid as much as before.
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Except it doesn't really work that way.
Having two copies of the DM risk-factor gene does not mean the dog has DM. It does not mean the dog will get DM. It means the dog has a risk of getting DM, and a low risk at that. I'll copy and paste my own answer from an earlier thread, rather than doing the math again:
It's hard to get accurate stats, but the best I can find is that about 1.5% of Pems presenting at veterinary hospitals have DM, which means the actual incidence is probably a bit lower than that (since a fair number don't take their dogs to vets, and the symptoms are severe enough that under-diagnosis is not likely an issue). About half of all Pems are At Risk with the gene.
So if we assume that all the Pems who get DM carry the At Risk set of genes (and that may very well not be true, if indeed it turns out that there are some other mutations that cause it), that means that only about 3% of Pems who are At Risk will ever get the disease.
So if the dog tests At Risk, it has about a 3% chance of ever getting DM--- probably higher than that if the dog has close relatives with DM (not who test positive, but who actually come down with it) and a bit lower than that if the dog has no close relatives who ever got DM.
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Permalink Reply by Caitlin Randolph on
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Thank you all for responding, sorry I didn't get a chance to reply sooner. This really is one of those issues that is a matter of opinion. Sister said don't test. Boyfriend said don't rush but probably test. etc etc.
I have decided not to get him tested. Not unless it's needed.
The benefits of knowing like Lydia said is being financially prepared but other than that, we don't need any of that looming over our heads. But I recommend to all my pet friends that after a certain age 7ish I recommend getting pet insurance because you never know. So that is sound advice for any pet owner.
Our last pet, our cat Milli at about age 11 came down with diabetes and at 12 had heart failure. We were'nt prepared for the twice a day shots. And then the late night ER visit a year later leading to a 3 day visit in an oxygen cage and the few more months of battling with medication... anyway. My sister used Milli as her argument - we weren't ready, it was all way way too young for everyone, but we made it work and I wouldn't have done anything different other than a better diet (I was ignorant before) but life happens with a pet. Its the absolute worst part of these perfect friends, they are the bestest but for such a too short amount of time.
The folks who got Arrow's brother tested currently have a dog with DM, that is a very real fear and they know they want to know before. They also just got his brother's eyes tested. Good news! GREAT eye health!
It's an odd boat to have a rescue puppy of sorts but one that is very involved in the corgi community. Makes me think about health testing and informed about breed issues other than "getting old" that I wouldn't worry about otherwise if I had found a guy who rescued a dog who ended up having puppies in another situation.
I'm content with my choice not to test, and your opinions weighing in is a huge help!
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