Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

Degenerative myelopathy is a neurodegenerative condition that affects older dogs
(typically older than 8 years) causing progressive hind limb weakness and ataxia (loss
of coordination). Signs progress over a period of months to inability to use the hind
limbs and ultimately to complete paralysis of all 4 limbs. It is associated with a mutation
in the SOD1 gene and is comparable to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in people.
There is currently no cure for the condition. Dogs with 2 copies of the mutation are at
risk of developing signs, but not all genetically at risk dogs will develop the disease.
Dogs with 1 copy are considered carriers only, but can pass the genetic risk factor to
their offspring.

Testing Prices:

SOD1 mutation = $50.00 per dog

Sample Type for Submission:

Acceptable samples include a cheek swab or 1-2 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA tube. If these sample types are unavailable, please reach out to us at cvm-cardiacgenetics@ncsu.edu for more information. Alternative sample types may result in an additional charge.

Explanation of Results:

Two copies of each gene are inherited, one from each parent. Possible results include:

Negative

Negative dogs have two copies of the normal, unmutated gene. They are not at an increased genetic risk of developing DM and have a 0% chance of passing the disease-linked gene to its offspring.

Positive Heterozygous

Dogs who are Positive Heterozygous for the DM mutation have one copy of the mutated gene variant and one copy of the normal gene. They are a carrier and have a 50% chance of passing the disease-linked gene to its offspring. They typically do not develop clinical signs of DM.

Positive Homozygous

Dogs who are Positive Homozygous for the DM mutation have two copies of the mutated gene variant. Positive Homozygous dogs are at risk for developing DM. They have a 100% chance of passing a mutated copy on to its offspring.