I previously tested all the dogs here at Alta-Tollhaus for Degenerative Myelopathy through http://www.vetdnacenter.com/ because they offered quantity discounts for more then 5 dogs. However, I did not realize at the time that OFA would only list the DM findings on their database only if I did the test through them. So I re-did Gavin’s DM test with OFA so it would be listed on the OFA database. For clarification of the OFA DM results:
http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/dmexplanation.html
Gavin’s OFA database record:
http://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=1479816#animal
The certificate only lists me as the owner, however Gavin is owned by Lorie Armendariz first and then myself.
Hello Julie,
I am sorry to hear about Gavin’s test results. I hope it is possible that he won’t become symptomatic. My Barin, the GSD I had in graduate school in the late 1970s had this diagnosis.
Warm Regards from Nancy from Masachusetts, person of Zorah, 16 months and just spayed, bec. I decided not to breed, but will pursue therapy dog certification.
nancy,
Gavin does not have DM. His DNA test fro DM is the best possible results. Per the OFA website: Normal (N/N)
This dog is homozygous N/N for the mutation that is the most common cause of DM, with two normal copies of the gene. Among the hundreds of dogs studied so far at the University of Missouri, only two dogs with test results of N/N (Normal) have been confirmed to have DM. The N/N (Normal) dog can only transmit the normal counterpart of the common mutation to its offspring, and it is unlikely that this dog or its offspring will ever develop DM.
Congratulations! I knew Gavin was special in many ways — but I had no idea how rare the N/N results were.
Julie,
Thanks for the sites and information on DM.
Thanks for the education on this topic.
Nancy
This really gives me a peace of mind with Ember to know that her chances of developing DM are extremely low. That info went into my decision to get her and I am very happy with that decision. Thanks, Julie!