Monumental Health News!!!

[DeDe]

Please crosspost this wherever possible- trying to get notice out in very short order to everyone wishing to attend Dr. Meurs' presentation Monday of National. Thank you!


We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Kate Meurs of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine has identified a genetic mutation responsible for causing cardiomyopathy in Dobermans. A reasonably priced test will be commercially available in about two weeks through the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory at WSU. ( www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/)

Dr. Meurs is coming to the National to present her findings and answer questions. She is scheduled to speak on Monday, October 4th, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in the Emerald Room. We will have the room for Q & A as well until 12 noon. Please spread the word so that everyone who wants to be there is made aware of this development.

Dr. Meurs deserves many accolades for this long awaited accomplishment for our breed!

Kathy Davieds DVM

PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

[Jukka S., Finland]

Here's a working link without the closing parenthesis:
www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/

[DeDe]

The following info is being cross-posted for your consideration!
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The DPCA has arranged to have live streaming at the National for 2 health presentations:

Dr. Kate Meurs:

Dr. Kate Meurs of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine has identified a genetic mutation responsible for causing cardiomyopathy in Dobermans. Dr. Meurs is coming to the National to present her findings and answer questions. She is scheduled to speak on Monday, October 4th, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. CST in the Emerald Room. Q & A may last until 12 noon.

Dr. Amara Estrada:

Dr. Amara Estrada of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine will be speaking on DCM stem cell research after the General Meeting on Monday, October 4th, 2010 at 2:00p.m. CST. Since she is speaking after the meeting, we don?t know exactly what time she will start.

To watch the live streams, please visit our Ustream page at:

www.ustream.tv/user/DPCA/shows

The presentations will be streamed live and recorded so they can be watched in the future.

We suggest that in order to watch Dr. Estrada, you visit our page around 2pm CST so when the stream starts, you can view from the beginning.

Michelle Kramer

DPCA Webmaster

Permission to cross post

[DeDe]

And now the test kits are available!!!!
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The link is now active and the Doberman DCM DNA test is a reasonable $60.00. See the info below or through the link to the website.



Susan



www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/Doberman/index.aspx





Genetic Mutation Testing Service for Doberman Pinscher Dilated Cardiomyopathy



The VCGL laboratory has just released a test for the genetic mutation associated with the development of dilated cardiomyopathy in Doberman pinscher dogs. Follow the link below to test information and request forms.

Update on Doberman pinscher dilated Cardiomyopathy (DC)

Doberman pinscher DCM is an adult onset heart muscle disease that can lead to sudden death or the development of congestive heart failure where the dog starts to cough or becomes short of breath.

This is an inherited disease, but it is adult onset. The average age at which clinical signs may be observed or a Holter monitor becomes abnormal is 6 years of age. However, this is widely variant. Some dogs will show it younger and some, not until they are much older!

This disease can affect the electrical system of the heart or the contractility of the heart muscle. Since the disease is adult onset and can start at varying ages, we recommend an annual echocardiogram and Holter monitoring after 3 years of age.



You have two methods to submit samples of your dog's DNA for testing: Blood Draw or Cheek Swabs. Both sample types are generally processed within about 1-2 weeks.

Blood Draw: One way to test your dog is to submit a small blood sample. Have your veterinarian or a veterinary technician collect a small blood sample (0.5 - 1.5 mls is plenty!) into an EDTA tube. Most veterinary hospitals have these readily available. Mail the blood sample with completed DNA Submission Forms (see details in the white box at the right of this page). There are no special shipping requirements.

Cheek Swab(s): Another way to test your dog is to use cheek swabs. No special training is required to collect a swab sample. Cheek swab samples are obtained by brushing the cells inside the dog's cheek with the swab. When you order a Test Kit from us, you will receive two swabs (per dog) and written instructions with photos that detail how to take this sample. Instructions are also available on this website.

To Order a Cheek Swab Test Kit:

Use the Online Request for a Cheek Swab Test Kit

OR

Contact the Washington State University Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory (WSU VCGL) to request a test kit. Send an email to [e-mail] that includes:








1. Your name

2. Your mailing address

3. The number of dogs to be tested

4. How you would like to be notified (E-mail or FAX)

5. Include email address if you wish to be notified by E-mail.

A test kit, which includes the sampling brushes and instructions for obtaining the sample will be mailed to you. Obtain the sample by brushing the inside of the dog's cheek and gum area. Mail the brush back to WSU VCGL along with payment for the test:

§ For 1-4 tests included in a single shipment the cost is $60 US Dollars per test

§ For 5 or more tests included in a single shipment a 15% discount will be applied for a cost of $51 US Dollars per test.

§ We can accept payment in US Dollars by check, money order, or credit card (MasterCard or Visa). Please do not send cash. Check Test results will generally be available within one to two weeks. Please indicate if you want to be notified of results by email or FAX.

Click for Printable Instructions for Use of the Test Kit.



They are also going to have an online test result database for those that want to share the results of negative or positive.



www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/doberman/TestResults.aspx

[Bitten]

Thank's DeDe ... highly appreciated.

[jonny]

Hello,

This is great news.

For anyone going to the announcement can they please ask Dr Meurs the following question.

"How accurate is this test? In particular the sensitivity and specificity."

She may cover it in her presentation but just in case she doesn't can someone please ask.

TIA

Jonathon Howard
Final year Veterinary Student
University of Sydney
Australia