Summerwood Farm NC, LLC

Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs

Is there a genetic test for DM?

You might be wondering if there’s a DNA test for the disease. A DNA test exists, available through the (OFA) Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, that can identify dogs who do not have the DM gene, as well as those who are carriers and those who are at much higher risk for developing DM. However, even dogs whose results show that they are at higher risk for developing DM may not develop the disease. In other words, the test does not actually diagnose DM.

Because there are so many false positives with with DM process we do not test our adults.

Revised 8/31/2020