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DCM1/DCM2 Gene test update

2K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  dax0402 
#1 ·
A lot of you already know that for the time being these tests are essentially meaningless for predicting the onset of DCM in a dog. But many newbies don't, or are confused by it, and many people outside the breed will talk like they know but don't actually understand.

I have found out about the passing of another dog, two days ago - collapsed and died instantly during his walk. He was clear for both genes.

Another person I know still has yet to receive any response from Dr Meurs at NCSU for an identical occurrence and it has been months. (Not the first time I've seen it happen either, unfortunately).

Secondly, Embark just updated their linkage test for DCM2 so if you've Embark tested your dog either through the DDP or individually, your results may change. Don't panic. Some of the updated results are still inaccurate, in individuals who had their dogs tested with NCSU prior.

I can only imagine the frustration of those who had been using these results to make breeding decisions... but it's yet another reason why although I believe in contributing to research, as a buyer you should definitely not be relying on the DCM1/DCM2 tests to make decisions on whether someone is/isn't health testing/reputable and whether or not you want to get a puppy from X litter.
 
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#5 ·
Jossie was already declining due to her age and copper storage disease, which has started to slowly get worse for the past couple of years. With the DCM diagnosis there was significant risk that her liver would not been able to handle all the meds, but so far it has been okay.

She sometimes seems to get nausea in the evenings and will refuse food. Her breathing rate is concerning to those that know DCM well.

However 95% of the time she is a happy dog and she doesn't know that she is sick. She doesn't have any signs of arthritis and if there is food involved she can run as fast as the youngsters. She has gone to agility run thrus a couple of times because she enjoys it. She still wants to go in hikes through the forest, so we do.

We don't know how much longer she will be around, so we focus on enjoying every day.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for posting this. Baron was negative for DCM1 and positive homoyzgous for DCM2. This always has concerned me about these 2 discoveries as it just fuels the greeders and BYB breeders to advertise that their dogs are DCM free and clean and uninformed and under educated buyers fall their crap. No sure what helpt it was by Baron's cardiologist sent all of his echos and holters and history to Dr. Estrada in FL. He lived for over 8 years with the disease with meds so hoping it is some help for the future.
 
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