New DNA Test Available for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy

Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a chronic progressive disease of the spinal cord in dogs.  It is an insidious disease that affects dogs typically between 7 and 14 years of age. Initially, dogs become ataxic (in coordinated) in the hind limbs and typically progresses over 6 months to 2 years eventually causing paralysis. DM has been described in a large number of dogs including German Shepherd Dogs, Boxers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and both breeds of Welsh Corgis. This is one of our most frustrating diseases because of the difficulty in diagnosing and treating it. We have no proven treatment for DM except for symptomatic and supportive treatment. Now for the first time, we can test dogs for the mutated gene responsible for DM using a simple DNA test. This test can be performed by owners by contacting the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The website with this information is located at  www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DM/ancmntDM.htm  A PDF is attached as a owner handout.  It is important to understand that the test identifies whether dogs have the mutated gene and if they are heterozygous or homozygous. Some dogs that have been tested as genetically affected are reported to be clinically normal, so it is important that we interpret the test results carefully.

Dogs that are clinically affected with progressive paresis over several weeks and months with little response to anti-inflammatory drugs can be tested. There is still a great deal of research looking into the incidence and risk factors for developing this disease. Owners can become directly involved in helping to solve this riddle. This test may also be helpful by testing breeding dogs at risk for this disease with the overall aim of decreasing the incidence of DM.

If you have questions regarding the testing for DM or a dog that test negative for DM yet has symptoms of progressive weakness, please feel free to contact me by email.