DM Flash Test

To Assist in the Diagnosis of German Shepherd Degenerative Myelopathy

Diagnosis must be based upon complete neurologic work-up.

Negative Test Result

Phone: 352-392-2235 Ex. 4700

Fax: 352-294-9866

E-mail: rmc@neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu

A negative DM Flash Test suggests that a dog of a breed known to have the possibility of having allele*1101J has very low probability of having GSDM. Unfortunately, the DM Flash Test was developed for the German Shepherd dog and not all dogs can have allele*1101J. Those GSDs who have allele*1101J are at risk of having GSDM and all GSDM dogs (that are GSDs) have allele*1101J. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Corgis have a chronic progressive spinal cord disease that clinically is similar to GSDM, but they do not have allele*1101J. In fact, Corgis may not even have allele*1101 as part of their genetic possibilities. So, in those breeds, a negative DM Flash test would be the expected result regardless of their medical condition. On the other hand, we have found changes that appear to be consistent is the presence of DM in GSDs, Boxers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Corgis using Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Some of the changes in the Rhodesian Ridgebacks related to changes in the GSDs; other changes in Boxers related to changes in GSDs; while the Corgis does not appear to have changes which relate to any of the other breeds. When a sample of a Boxer, Corgis or Rhodesian Ridgeback is submitted, we must performed the RAPD analysis to provide accurate results. This requires extra steps and expense to perform.

In the GSD, a negative test means that the possibility of having GSDM is almost zero. Therefore, there is a high likelihood that the cause of a neurologic disease would be due to some other conditions. GSDs with clinical signs of GSDM (progressive posterior paresis) have a 75% chance that they do not have GSDM. Of those 75%, the DM Flash test is almost always negative. The neurologic conditions which are most often confused with GSDM are IVDD (intervertebral disc disease), myelitis (many causes) and spinal neoplasia (cancer of various sorts). The diagnostic tests which we recommend to help diagnose GSDM help to find these causes. Some cases will have an intrinsic myelopathy of unknown cause; they are just not classic GSDM.

So, a negative DM Flash test suggests that GSDM is not part of the disease and the dog probably cannot get GSDM. A negative RAPD in a Boxer, Corgis or Rhodesian Ridgeback suggests that they do not have DM.

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