So I've just received AXL's results and he tested Positive Heterozygous.
This is what the results document looks like :
EVALUATION FOR THE CANINE DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY MUTATION
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Mutation (DCM) is a form of heart disease in the Doberman Pinscher dog. It is inherited and our laboratory has identified a mutation responsible for the gene in some Doberman Pinscher. However, it should be noted that in human beings with the same disease, there are many different genetic mutations which can cause this disease. We do not yet know if this is the only mutation in the Doberman Pinscher or if there will be many different mutations. Please keep in mind that we are continually learning about this disease and recommendations will be altered as we obtain more information.
Currently our interpretation of the test is:
Negative results:
The absence of the mutation in this dog, DOES NOT mean that it will never develop the disease. It means that it does not have the only known mutation that can cause the disease in the dog at this time.
Positive Results:
Dogs that are positive for the test will not necessarily develop significant heart disease and die from the disease. Some dogs will develop a very mild form of the disease and will live quite comfortably, some may need treatment.
Importantly, breeding decisions should be made carefully. At this time we have do not yet know what percentage of Doberman Pinscher will be positive for the mutation. However, removal of a significant number of dogs from the breeding population could be very bad for the Doberman Pinscher breed. Remember that dogs that carry this mutation also carry other important good genes that we do not want to lose from the breed.
Positive Heterozygous (1 copy of the mutated gene and 1 copy of a normal gene) Dogs that are positive heterozygous should be carefully evaluated for signs of disease (Holter monitor and an echocardiogram). If abnormalities are detected, possible treatment options should be discussed with your veterinarian. Adult dogs that do not show signs of disease and that have other positive attributes could be bred to mutation negative dogs. Puppies may be screened for the mutation and over a few generations, mutation negative puppies may be selected to replace the mutation positive parent and gradually decrease the number of mutation positive dogs in the population.
Positive Homozygous (2 copies of the mutated gene). We recommend not breeding the homozygous dogs. Dogs that are homozygous for the mutation appear to have more significant disease and will certainly pass on the mutation.
Date: -----
Owner Name: -----
Dog ID: -----
AKC Number: -----
Test result for the DNA submitted for the above dog is: Positive Het
Result Based on the following sample(s) submitted for this dog: 1 Blood Sample
Kathryn M. Meurs, DVM, PhD (meurs@vetmed.wsu.edu)
Professor, Richard L. Ott Chair of Small Animal Medicine and Research
Washington State University- College of Veterinary Medicine
This is what the results document looks like :
EVALUATION FOR THE CANINE DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY MUTATION
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Mutation (DCM) is a form of heart disease in the Doberman Pinscher dog. It is inherited and our laboratory has identified a mutation responsible for the gene in some Doberman Pinscher. However, it should be noted that in human beings with the same disease, there are many different genetic mutations which can cause this disease. We do not yet know if this is the only mutation in the Doberman Pinscher or if there will be many different mutations. Please keep in mind that we are continually learning about this disease and recommendations will be altered as we obtain more information.
Currently our interpretation of the test is:
Negative results:
The absence of the mutation in this dog, DOES NOT mean that it will never develop the disease. It means that it does not have the only known mutation that can cause the disease in the dog at this time.
Positive Results:
Dogs that are positive for the test will not necessarily develop significant heart disease and die from the disease. Some dogs will develop a very mild form of the disease and will live quite comfortably, some may need treatment.
Importantly, breeding decisions should be made carefully. At this time we have do not yet know what percentage of Doberman Pinscher will be positive for the mutation. However, removal of a significant number of dogs from the breeding population could be very bad for the Doberman Pinscher breed. Remember that dogs that carry this mutation also carry other important good genes that we do not want to lose from the breed.
Positive Heterozygous (1 copy of the mutated gene and 1 copy of a normal gene) Dogs that are positive heterozygous should be carefully evaluated for signs of disease (Holter monitor and an echocardiogram). If abnormalities are detected, possible treatment options should be discussed with your veterinarian. Adult dogs that do not show signs of disease and that have other positive attributes could be bred to mutation negative dogs. Puppies may be screened for the mutation and over a few generations, mutation negative puppies may be selected to replace the mutation positive parent and gradually decrease the number of mutation positive dogs in the population.
Positive Homozygous (2 copies of the mutated gene). We recommend not breeding the homozygous dogs. Dogs that are homozygous for the mutation appear to have more significant disease and will certainly pass on the mutation.
Date: -----
Owner Name: -----
Dog ID: -----
AKC Number: -----
Test result for the DNA submitted for the above dog is: Positive Het
Result Based on the following sample(s) submitted for this dog: 1 Blood Sample
Kathryn M. Meurs, DVM, PhD (meurs@vetmed.wsu.edu)
Professor, Richard L. Ott Chair of Small Animal Medicine and Research
Washington State University- College of Veterinary Medicine
oops.
