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Gypsy Wolf · 23-03-2011, 22:51

In GSD, the current "theory" is that up to 25% of the population is DM/DM. Not all of those GSD develop DM symptoms, though other things may kill them before the disease manifests itself - things like bloat/gastric torsion, for instance, may kill a GSD before it ever shows symptoms.
I also would like to know (if possible) how many DM/DM CsVs end up getting symptoms. The information on diet and lifestyle may affect whether or not the disease manifests.
CsVs live longer than the typical GSD and perhaps the "wolf" genetics protect them from symptom development to some degree. We will only know if we collect information. Knowing these factors could very well positively impact not only CsVs with DM, but GSDs also (who seem to have a higher rate and more severe cases of DM symptom development).
If we surmise that CsVs (due to their genetic heritage) have a similar percentage of DM/DM animals (25%) but far fewer actual cases of disease symptoms, we need to look at outside factors that may influence disease development.
As it is now, the GSD community as a whole, seems to be ignoring the genetic test, citing that not all DM/DM dogs get DM symptoms. Obviously there are other factors at play that trigger disease development. By collecting as much information as we can (even though at this point it is "anecdotal" and not truly "scientific") we may be able to see some correlations or trends that can be studied more in depth - without open discussion, though, we simply bury our heads in the sand...
We are all stewards of our breed(s) and need to look at the big picture rather than any "embarrassment" over whether or not our dogs have DM (as if it is our fault!). I would encourage those who have dogs with DM/DM results to carefully note diet, health and environment and perhaps even donate tissue samples for further study so that we can all learn and perhaps remove this debilitating disease from our breed.

23-03-2011, 22:51	#195
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	DM symptoms... In GSD, the current "theory" is that up to 25% of the population is DM/DM. Not all of those GSD develop DM symptoms, though other things may kill them before the disease manifests itself - things like bloat/gastric torsion, for instance, may kill a GSD before it ever shows symptoms. I also would like to know (if possible) how many DM/DM CsVs end up getting symptoms. The information on diet and lifestyle may affect whether or not the disease manifests. CsVs live longer than the typical GSD and perhaps the "wolf" genetics protect them from symptom development to some degree. We will only know if we collect information. Knowing these factors could very well positively impact not only CsVs with DM, but GSDs also (who seem to have a higher rate and more severe cases of DM symptom development). If we surmise that CsVs (due to their genetic heritage) have a similar percentage of DM/DM animals (25%) but far fewer actual cases of disease symptoms, we need to look at outside factors that may influence disease development. As it is now, the GSD community as a whole, seems to be ignoring the genetic test, citing that not all DM/DM dogs get DM symptoms. Obviously there are other factors at play that trigger disease development. By collecting as much information as we can (even though at this point it is "anecdotal" and not truly "scientific") we may be able to see some correlations or trends that can be studied more in depth - without open discussion, though, we simply bury our heads in the sand... We are all stewards of our breed(s) and need to look at the big picture rather than any "embarrassment" over whether or not our dogs have DM (as if it is our fault!). I would encourage those who have dogs with DM/DM results to carefully note diet, health and environment and perhaps even donate tissue samples for further study so that we can all learn and perhaps remove this debilitating disease from our breed.