23 Fletcher Rd Newport NH 03773 - (603) 863-0035 - k9talk@adelphia.net |
If you read the stats on my dogs, you will see that along with OFA hip ratings, eye exams and DNA fingerprinting, they have all been MDR1 tested. They each have a rating that is either "normal/normal" or "normal/mutant." What is this, why is this important to know when it comes to breeding and owning Aussies and what testing is available to identify it in our dogs? Australian shepherds are known for their sensitivity to certain drugs. This sensitivity is caused by a mutation in the multi-drug resistance gene, also know as MDR1. The gene encodes a protein, P-glycoprotein, that pumps certain drugs and toxins out of the brain. Dogs with the mutation cannot pump the drugs out of the brain as those without the mutation would, which can cause abnormal neurological signs, resulting in illness requiring emergency veterinarian intervention or in some cases the reactions cause death. Scientists at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine have been able to isolate the mutation and have developed a way to test for the presence of the mutation in Australian shepherds. Since some of the drugs that can make our Aussies sick are frequently prescribed by veterinarians, such as ivermectin for heart worms, mange and other parasites, loperamide for diarrhea in products such as Imodium, acepromazine as a tranquilizer and pre-anesthetic agent, as well as many others, it is advantageous for the Aussie owner to know if his dog has or carries the mutation so these drugs can be avoided. If the dog doesn't, then he should not have the same reactions to the drugs as those who do. For Aussie owners, knowing that MDR1 status of our dogs helps us, along with our veterinarians, make better choices in the drugs we give our Aussies. Rather than inadvertently prescribing a drug that could make them seriously ill or even cause their death, our veterinarian can choose a different drug that does not have the same risks involved. As a breeder, this test gives me one more tool in making responsible breeding decisions and I feel that it is one of the more important test for breeders to do. Some neurological reactions can include seizure activity and other symptoms similar to those of seizure disorders or epilepsy. Since epilepsy can be an inherited disease, knowing that the dog is not having a drug reaction is an important piece in diagnosing it. Knowing the MDR1 results on my dogs helps me make breeding decisions to lessen the occurance of producing the dogs with the gene mutation.
If the MDR1 status on a dog is unknown, I recommend that owners avoid any of the drugs that have the potential to cause problems. To me, it's not worth taking the chance. Owners and breeders can submit samples for testing. All that is needed for the test is a cheek brush sample that can be obtained by the owner and sent by mail for analysis. These can be obtained from Washington State University (WSU) Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab (VCPL) . You can phone or email them for a brush kit. They will send you the kit with direction on how to obtain the samples and how to mail them in. You send payment for the test - $60 - along with the sample. You can also obtain a list of drugs that cause problems for dogs that have the gene mutation on WSU website. |
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