Another Kushinda Ridgeback testing Clear for DM

KUSHINDA GOOD NIGHT ERIN UK
ERIN
F RR
HP18915503 DM Received: 09/01/2009
Processed: 09/02/2009
Test: Degenerative Myelopathy
Results: CLEAR (Homozygous N/N, Clear)
From the CHIC site Sept 3 2009

# 7 Has tested Clear (NN) for DM

I am ever so happy to get Ch Kushinda Ark Action SC DM results today. She is NN or clear for DM. She is the dam to the 2010 Show Pups that are pictured through the blog site..This means that none of her pups will every themselves have the disease...Yahoo.
Presents, Falcon, Burner, Dan Boy, Dart, Trixie, Xena, CiCi, & Hunter, who all have promising show careers. Was this worth $65.00? You bet! K

DM Test Results for Rhodesian Ridgeback

March 4 2009 Hats off to the RR Club for the unprecedented number of dogs tested for DM. We are well on our way to eliminating this disease from our breed in dogs bred by club members. 609 dogs tested and the numbers continue to grow as new results are posted weekly by OFA. These results give the breeder the information they need when considering a breeding. Dogs at risk should NOT be bred and eliminated from a breeding program. More questions? leave a comment to this post. You can follow the link above to see what other breeds are doing. K

RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK
CLEAR 310 51% (NN)
CARRIER 253 42% (NA)
AT RISK 46 8% (AA)
TOTAL ABNORMAL 299 49%
TOTAL TESTED 609

Do This First..

Before you breed your bitch, before you stud your male, and before you buy that puppy, go here and do your research. Check the health of the sire and dam.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

First let me say that it is a disease that "can be" eliminated from our Breed - the Rhodesian Ridgeback. OFA is now doing the DNA test for $65.00 that will tell you the status of your Dog. ......Breeders should only be breeding tested clear stock. NN

This is Degenerative myelopathy; DM (progressive rear limb weakness or paralysis) was first described as a specific neurologic disease in 1973. The age at onset is five to fourteen years average age 8 or 9. It has been reported in almost all large breeds of dogs.

The classic presentation is a painless, slowly progressive rear limb weakness or paralysis. There may be discomfort due to arthritis in the hip or lower lumbar (lower back) area, but this usually improves with activity. Over days, weeks, or months the dog becomes progressively weaker as is evidenced by shuffling of the rear limbs and lack of coordination. Finally, full paralysis coupled with fecal and urinary incontinence develops.

This diseas can now "be eliminated" from our Breed. IF you are going to breed: TEST your Breeding stock and do not breed affected dogs. The test has been available since Aug of 2008. If you are going to Buy; Do Not buy a puppy that does not have TESTED Parents with clear results. A record of the dogs results can be found on the OFA DNA web site. There is a link to the right.
Have you had an experience with DM? You may post a comment below if you would like to discuss or get more information on what to do. K

Pea Pods of Punnett-link

How cute are these little yellow and green pea pods?
In light of the fact that in Sept of 2008 the DNA test for the Degenerative Myelopathy gene has become available to the Ridgeback Dog Breeders, it is now important that we learn how to interperate the results.
 Here is a punnett square you can use. The NN ( The NN is the symbol that is on your OFA report and used in Ridgeback terms) or Normal for DM (not having) can be used at the top and side where the small green y's are located.. The yellow Y has the disease.  As you will see  the resulting prodegy 2 will be NN or Normal and 2 will be carriers. Try combining different combinations.
If you are a breeder and own a Ridgeback that is a carrier, then that dog must be bred to a dog that is tested and has an OFA # that is NN. This is how we eliminate the disease from our breed.