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DM Flash Test |
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To Assist in the Diagnosis of German Shepherd Degenerative Myelopathy |
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A Positive Test Result |
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A positive result suggests that the patient is at risk for developing GSDM. The DM Flash test has been found to be positive in dogs who have been found to have Degenerative Myelopathy as defined in the German Shepherd breed of dogs by the clinical criteria which are consistent in that disease. These include a history of a non-painful, chronic TL spinal cord disease in susceptible breeds; a normal electromyographic (EMG) examination except for an abnormal spinal evoked potential; an elevated CSF protein in the lumbar cistern with elevated CSF cholinesterase level (without other definable cause); and normal (no compressive lesions) special imaging of the spinal column (myelogram or MRI). These tests are part of a comprehensive diagnostic approach for neurologic disease. The DM Flash test helps to confirm that GSDM is part of the neurologic picture; however, there may be other diseases occurring simultaneously. As such, the DM Flash test should not be used as the sole diagnostic test in evaluating dogs with neurologic disease. It should be used as one part of the diagnostic process. Based upon evaluating dogs presumptively diagnosed as DM upon clinical signs alone, we expect that only 25% of those cases will be positive by the DM Flash test, since this is the number of patients who are found to have GSDM using the above diagnostic criteria. We still believe that these additional diagnostic tests should be performed along with the DM Flash test. A positive test result does indicate a risk of developing GSDM. It has been estimated that only 3% of German Shepherds develop GSDM. We do not know how many German Shepherd dogs carry the genetic potential to develop GSDM, but preliminary data suggest that the overall incidence of the gene is around 10%. This does suggest that many more dogs carry the gene than develop clinical GSDM. |
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Histologically there is loss of axons and myelin with mild increase in cells and vascularity. |
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Phone: 352-392-2235 Ex. 4700 Fax: 352-294-9866 E-mail: rmc@neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu |
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