Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant)
Affected Genes: SOD1
Inheritance: Autosomal Recessive With Incomplete Penetrance
Variant(canFam6):
chr31:26532306: G>A
Breed: Airedale Terrier
Alaskan Malamute
American Bulldog
American Bully
American English Coonhound
American Eskimo Dog
American Foxhound
American Hairless Terrier
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cobberdog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Koolie
Australian Labradoodle
Australian Shepherd
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Australian Terrier
Australian Working Kelpie
Beagle
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Shepherd
Belgian Tervuren
Bernedoodle*
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Frise
Biewer
Black and Tan Coonhound
Bloodhound
Bluetick Coonhound
Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Border Collie
Border Terrier
Bordoodle
Borzoi
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Boykin Spaniel
Bulldog
Bullmastiff
Canaan Dog
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Carlin Pinscher
Carolina Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavapoo
Cavapoochon
Cesky Fousek
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested
Chow Chow
Clumber Spaniel
Cockapoo
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Coton de Tulear
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Dalmatian
Danoodle
Decker Terrier
Deutsch Kurzhaar
Deutsch-Drahthaar
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Argentino
Dutch Shepherd
English Cocker Spaniel
English Coonhound
English Shepherd
English Springer Spaniel
English Toy Spaniel
Finnish Lapphund
Finnish Spitz
Flat Coated Retriever
Fox Terrier
French Bulldog
German Pinscher
German Shepherd Dog
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Giant Schnauzer
Golden Retriever
Goldendoodle
Gordon Setter
Great Pyrenees
Greyhound
Groenendael
Harrier
Hovawart
Irish Red and White Setter
Irish Setter
Irish Terrier
Irish Wolfhound
Irishdoodle
Jack Russell Terrier
Keeshond
Kerry Blue Terrier
King Shepherd
Komondor
Koolie
Kuvasz
Lab/Golden Cross
Labradoodle
Labrador Retriever
Laekenois
Lancashire Heeler
Landseer Newfoundland
Lapponian Herder
Lucas Terrier
Maltipoo
Maremma Sheepdog
Mastiff
Miniature American Shepherd
Miniature Australian Cattle Dog
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Miniature Fox Terrier
Miniature Poodle
Miniature Schnauzer
Mountain Cur
Newfoundland
Newfypoo*
Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Old English Sheepdog
Old-Time Scotch Collie
Olde English Bulldogge
Parson Russell Terrier
Patterdale Terrier
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Pharaoh Hound
Plott
Pointer
Pomeranian
Pomsky
Poodle
Portuguese Podengo
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
Pug
Puli
Pumi
Rat Terrier
Redbone Coonhound
Redtick Coonhound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Rough Collie
Russell Terrier
Russian Wolfhound
Saarloos Wolfdog
Saint Bernard
Saluki
Samoyed
Schnoodle
Scottish Collie
Sealyham Terrier
Service/Assistance Golden Retriever
Service/Assistance Lab/Golden Retriever cross
Service/Assistance Labrador Retriever
Sheepadoodle
Shetland Sheepdog
Shih Tzu
Shiloh Shepherd
Shorty Bull*
Siberian Husky
Siberian Laika
Silken Windhound
Silky Terrier
Smooth Collie
Smooth Fox Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
St. Bernard
Stabyhoun
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Swedish Lapphund
Tamaskan
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Tenterfield Terrier
Tibetan Terrier
Toy Australian Shepherd
Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Poodle
Treeing Walker Coonhound
UK Breed Council Labrador Retriever
Wachtelhund
Welsh Terrier
Whippet
White Shepherd Dog
Wire Fox Terrier
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Yorkiepoo
Yorkshire Terrier
General Information: Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is an inherited neurological disease affecting the spinal cord's white matter, which is critical for transmitting nerve signals. This condition, often likened to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in humans, typically begins to manifest in dogs around nine years of age. DM is caused by a mutation in the SOD1 gene, which is present in many dog breeds. However, the disease's onset and progression can vary widely due to other genetic and environmental factors. Affected dogs initially present with gradual muscle atrophy and loss of coordination, particularly in the hind limbs. As the disease progresses, dogs may experience a complete loss of mobility, incontinence, and forelimb involvement, leading to paralysis within six months to two years of the onset of symptoms. While DM is not typically painful, the significant decline in mobility and quality of life often leads owners to consider euthanasia, particularly in larger breeds where care becomes more challenging. Early diagnosis and understanding of DM can help manage the disease and improve the affected dog's quality of life for as long as possible.
How to Read Your Dog's Test Results for this Genetic Variant:
Two Variants Detected: Dog Likely Affected
One Variant Detected: Dog Unlikely Affected
No Variants Detected: No Effect
Gene / Testing Information: Genetic testing for the SOD1 gene is crucial for identifying carriers of the mutation responsible for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) in dogs. This disorder is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent, to develop the disease. Carrier dogs, which have only one copy of the mutation, typically do not exhibit symptoms but can pass the gene to their offspring. When two carriers are bred, each puppy has a 25% chance of developing DM and a 50% chance of being a carrier. Reliable genetic testing is essential for responsible breeding practices to avoid mating two carriers, thereby reducing the risk of producing puppies that will develop DM. Testing helps breeders make informed decisions to maintain the health and integrity of their breeding lines by eliminating this mutation from future generations. While genetic testing is crucial for detecting the risk of DM, the disease's progression can be influenced by various genetic and environmental factors, making comprehensive care and monitoring necessary for at-risk dogs to manage and potentially mitigate the impact of the disease.
References:
Awano T, Johnson GS, Wade CM, Katz ML, Johnson GC, Taylor JF, Perloski M, Biagi T, Baranowska I, Long S, March PA, Olby NJ, Shelton GD, Khan S, O'Brien DP, Lindblad-Toh K, Coates JR. Genome-wide association analysis reveals a SOD1 mutation in canine degenerative myelopathy that resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2009 106(8):2794-2799.
Coates JR, March PA, Oglesbee M, Ruaux CG, Olby NJ, Berghaus RD, O'Brien DP, Keating JH, Johnson GS, Williams DA. Clinical characterization of a familial degenerative myelopathy in Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2007 21(6):1323-1331.
Coates JR, Wininger FA. Canine degenerative myelopathy. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2010 40(5):929-950.
Miller AD, Barber R, Porter BF, Peters RM, Kent M, Platt SR, Schatzberg SJ. Degenerative myelopathy in two Boxer dogs. Vet Pathol. 2009 Jul; 46(4):684-7.
Shaffer LG, Ramirez CJ, Sundin K, Carl C, Ballif BC (2015) Genetic screening and mutation identification in a rare canine breed, the Drentsche patrijshond. Vet Rec Case Rep. 3:e000185.
Shaffer LG, Ramirez CJ, Sundin K, Connell LB, Ballif BC (2016) Genetic screening and mutation identification in a rare canine breed, the Cesky fousek. Vet Rec Case Rep. 4:e000346.
Shelton GD, Johnson GC, O’Brien DP, Katz ML, Pesayco JP, Chang BJ, Mizisin AP, Coates JR. Degenerative myelopathy associated with a missense mutation in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene progresses to peripheral neuropathy in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Boxers. J Neurol Sci. 2012 318(1-2):55-64.
Zeng R, Coates JR, Johnson GC, Hansen L, Awano T, Kolicheski A, Ivansson E, Perloski M, Lindblad-Toh K, O'Brien DP, Guo J, Katz ML, Johnson GS. Breed Distribution of SOD1 Alleles Previously Associated with Canine Degenerative Myelopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 2014 28(2):515-21.