DCM – Dilated Cardiomyopathy Mutation
All health testing is available by request.
Understanding DCM ~ Homozygous and Heterozygous are three good words to understand. Homozygous and Heterozygous are terms often used more generally, too, when talking about DIVERSITY. The more gene-pairs that are homozygous= less diversity. The more gene-pairs that are heterozygous= more diversity. Heterozygous is more commonly called a “carrier.” Ideally, when breeding, you’d like both dogs to be Homozygous, or “clear.”
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. 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. However, removal of a significant number of dogs from the breeding population could be very bad for the Doberman Pinscher breed.
It is important to remember that dogs that carry this mutation also carry other important good genes that we do not want to lose from the breed.
DCM is one of the biggest issues with the Doberman breed and even with all the tests and Echo/Holter monitoring. A health/Clear dog can still get it. Till there is a for sure test out there this is something that we Doberman lovers have to accept.
There can be other factors that can play a part in DCM in dogs, such as nutritional deficiency. Taurine is amino acid required for the development and function of the myocardium. Occasionally, toxins can cause DCM. The most common toxin is doxorubicin (Adriamycin), an anti-cancer drug used to treat various cancers in dogs. Infectious of Chagas disease (Trypanosomiasis) can cause DCM in geographic areas where it is found (Texas, Mexico).
Negative: Dog does not have the genetic mutation.
Positive Heterozygous: Dog has one copy of the genetic mutation.
Positive Homozygous: Dog has two copies of the genetic mutation.
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