DNA cheeck swabs for DCM in Dobermans

We finally got back our first cheek swab results for Dr. Meurs DNA for the lacking protein that sends electrical pulses to the heart.  It was a very nerve wracking moment while I opened the results.  Out of 5 dogs that were completed and the balance is to come next week 4 were neg for the mutant gene and one was Positive Hetro.

As always there is a lot of confusion ab out what the test really means and how to correctly report it.  First I will say that there are NO Cardio clear dogs that can be guaranteed from any lines.  Dr. Meurs has found one of the contributing factors, but stated that there were 24 so far found in humans and she expects several in dogs as well.  Cardio is a very complicated disease and she did state that there are primarily 3 contributing factors -  genetics, environment and viral.  Any and all can play a part in any given dog.

Certainly feeding a quality diet has to help as well as good exercise.

I will proceed with the test results as I did with Vwd and eliminate it from my program just because it can be identified and it can be 100$ sure with the DNA test.  It is what any responsible breeder would do.

Here is the statement that came with the test results from Dr. Meurs:

( Currently our interpretation of the test is:
Negative results:
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.
Positive Results:
Dogs that are positive for the test will not necessarily develop significant heart disease and die from the disease. Some dogs will develop a very mild form of the disease and will live quite comfortably, some may need treatment.
Importantly, breeding decisions should be made carefully. At this time we have do not yet know what percentage of Doberman Pinscher will be positive for the mutation. However, removal of a significant number of dogs from the breeding population could be very bad for the Doberman Pinscher breed. Remember that dogs that carry this mutation also carry other important good genes that we do not want to lose from the breed.
Positive Heterozygous (1 copy of the mutated gene and 1 copy of a normal gene) Dogs that are positive heterozygous should be carefully evaluated for signs of disease (Holter monitor and an echocardiogram). If abnormalities are detected, possible treatment options should be discussed with your veterinarian. Adult dogs that do not show signs of disease and that have other positive attributes could be bred to mutation negative dogs. Puppies may be screened for the mutation and over a few generations, mutation negative puppies may be selected to replace the mutation positive parent and gradually decrease the number of mutation positive dogs in the population.
Positive Homozygous (2 copies of the mutated gene). We recommend not breeding the homozygous dogs. Dogs that are homozygous )

We have a long way to go to eliminate it but it starts with one solid test that will help.