DM DNA test

[Bobbie]

The picture of Jack reminded me to mention DM DNA tests as something you may want to do with your corgis (and definitely should with a new puppy if you plan to buy one.)

The link to get the test is here: http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/

All Pems over 10 years or with a tentative diagnosis of DM can get a free test but it does require a blood draw and overnighting the blood to the U of Mo so unless you have multiple dogs the cheek swab (above) may be as cheap.

The results of the test will be Clear (not even a carrier of DM), Carrier (a carrier but not able to get DM) or At Risk-Affected (could potentially get DM; at this time the risk factor is not known, which is one reason it helps to have many corgis tested, especially if you have one 8 years and up as we will know in a few years about the risk factor if lots of dogs have been tested.)

Merlin, as you probably know, has DM; he tested At Risk soon after the test became available. Jack, on the Scout's House home page, also tested At Risk.

So why would you test a younger dog?

Besides contributing to the pool of statistics, which in itself is valuable, you may want to make ongoing decisions related to your dog's status. For example, if your dog is At Risk for DM and you are buying a new house, you might choose one without stairs. I wrote a post on Merlin's blog about why test a younger dog.

http://merlinsdmblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/why-would-i-want-to-know-my-dog-is-at.html

I had all five of mine tested (including Teddy) and found Teddy, Janine, and Candy all to be carriers, Jack Clear. Only Merlin is At Risk, which offers me great peace of mind. I know some people worry about testing because if they know they'll worry- but if you don't know, you also might as well worry!

[CorgiMum]

Thanks Bobbie.

[Jespah]

Great resource Bobbie, thank you for that information. I really want to test Rupe when he is old enough, he'll be 8 next week, I'll have to check to see what it costs.

We have to move to an apartment with an elevator because of my back, but I had always planned to do so when he was about this age anyways.

[Bobbie]

I forgot to add, if you order the test, bookmark the order status page. You'll be able to follow your swab from "Ordered" to "sent" to "received" to the result online a few weeks before you get a written result.

Also, you can test any age dog- from newborn puppy to the very senior. You just swab inside their cheek, press it onto a card, and mail it back. It costs $65 plus a stamp. It's only the free test for Pems over 10 that has an age.

[Jespah]

Great thanks! :BIGGRIN"

I wonder how many of us would really like to know? I know I would - it wouldn't change anything about how my dogs live their lives now - but it would change our life as we all age. I used to work in barrier-free design - specifically for people with disabilities, so I've always thought about how it would help my dogs as well.

[Bobbie]

My retirement home will be barrier-free, at least the ground floor. Not just for the dogs but I figure I might need it some day.

Knowing about DM is an up and down thing. If you are in the 50% or so that are lucky, it is a relief to know! But if you had an At Risk in a younger dog, you might worry. But the things to remember are that knowing allows you to get a quicker diagnosis if symptoms happen, and knowing doesn't mean he'll get it. Some At Risk dogs are 15 with no signs, others start developing it after 15. But if he does get it you will recognize it faster and not do what I did with Merlin, which is to let him slow down rather than to try to keep his muscles built up.

Another person I know found out her suspected DM dog was a carrier, NOT At Risk, which prompted her to treat for IVDD.. and he walked again; an MRI eventually showed he had indeed had a disk rupture that was misdiagnosed as DM, and without the test, she would have just let him stay down.

[2CrazyCorgis]

Bobbie, Thank you for the info. I have been wavering on having my dogs tested but I think I will do it eventually. We have the worst house in the world for a dog with DM. It is a split level on a hillside, where they have to go up or down stairs to find a decent place to pee.

[Bobbie]

My house isn't too great- I have to get the dogs down just a few steps to go outside, but they can't use the basement anymore which means I can't, either, unless I want to carry two dogs up and two dogs down. My old house was on a slab, all one level, and if I had known four years ago Merlin would get DM I could have sold this and moved back to that one.. though on the other hand this neighborhood is much better for walking safely.

[mtoy]

Something other than steps to consider for accessibility is the type of flooring. Poor Millie slips all over our wood. We try to only play with her on rugs and carpet to keep her from wiping out. Although she doesn't have DM, she is unstable in the rear with her bum hip.

[~WelshStump~]

Dang, I have to wait a year for the free test. I don't know, Jinjo has been fine, doesn't mean he doesn't have it but at least he's doing really good at 9.
My house is so-so for set up. He likes to be with everyone, in which case we all sleep upstairs. His favorite "outside place" in the porch which he has to go down steps to get to the grass and the back door also has a small drop to the mudroom to outside.
I didn't see a time frame on the site, you think the "free tests" will hold over a year?

[Bobbie]

No telling on the free tests, but my guess is yes, as they need the blood for ongoing research.