Degenerative myelopathy is one of those diseases veterinarians hate to diagnose, because little can be offered in the way of treatment. Being able to detect dogs at risk, so that we can do everything possible to slow the disease process, is tremendous. The breeds which will initially benefit from this test include Corgis, Ridgebacks, Boxers, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. the incidence of the gene mutation is still unknown in German Shepherds, one of the breeds commonly affected by DM. Hopefully additional research will allow us to positively identify the genes responsible in many more breeds.
American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation Announces Genetic Test for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy
Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is an adult-onset, progressive spinal cord disease causing weakness in the hind limbs and eventually paraplegia. Dog owners usually elect euthanasia within a year of diagnosis; however, when euthanasia is delayed flaccid paralysis and widespread loss of muscle mass occur. Because common acquired compressive spinal cord diseases can mimic DM, a definitive diagnosis currently can only be accomplished postmortem by histopathologic observation of the spinal cord.
Drs. Gary Johnson and Joan Coates at the Animal Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the University of Missouri and Drs. Claire Wade and Kerstin Lindblad-Toh at the Broad Institute of MIT/Harvard and their colleagues have identified a DNA mutation that is a major risk factor for development of degenerative myelopathy in dogs. The research project was funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, American Boxer Charitable Foundation, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, French Bulldog Club of America, and French Bulldog Rescue League.
A DNA test will soon be available for breeders and pet owners, along with information about what the test can and cannot tell them. The test clearly identifies dogs that are clear (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). However, having two mutated copies of the gene does not necessarily result in disease.
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