embark results show DCM1 and DCM2 Markers

[Renzo Red]

Can anyone tell me how to truly interpret this? I know what it says but should I worry? I lost a dobie to DCM at 9 years of age my heart sank when I saw this.

 

[JanS]

I personally wouldn't worry too much about a DNA test. While it can give you an idea, nothing can replace an echo and holter to get accurate results.

 

[BGpa]

What @JanS said.
Correlation is not causation on DCM markers.
We really dont know how it works but lots of science is being done, in genetics.

Responsible breeders start doing the actual physical tests that show early symptoms or indicators: echo and holter at 2, and every year after.

If you are "only a pet owner" but want peace of mind for a heads up on first signs, or ideally a "clear"
then you can realistically plan to do so at age 3, seems to be the latest consensus.

The very experienced cardio dr I got via a referral to the cardio clinic, from my Vet -

said it "would be reasonable to do echo/holter on a pet every other year if no symptoms, maybe addd the NT-probnp blood test in off years as an addition to auscultation" by experienced vet.

Canine NT-proBNP | Heart Disease in Dogs Diagnosis | Bionote USA

Bionote's Vcheck Canine NT-proBNP test is a biomarker for the diagnosis of heart failure. Learn how you can diagnose your patients in-clinic and sooner with Vcheck.

www.bionote.com

There is a lot of discussion on DCM here and elsewhere if you search. I like the DPCA annual seminars hosted for breeders with scientist-vets giving "best practices" guidance.

Here is "how to create you DCM health plan"

 

[GennyB]

I personally would look at your dog's pedigree and the COD's of his ancestors before putting any merrit in an DNA test. Unfortunately we still don't enough about the disease or the meaning of the 4 markers they have found so far.

EDIT: I just remembered he's a rescue. Do you know anything about his pedigree?

 

[Renzo Red]

What @JanS said.
Correlation is not causation on DCM markers.
We really dont know how it works but lots of science is being done, in genetics.

Responsible breeders start doing the actual physical tests that show early symptoms or indicators: echo and holter at 2, and every year after.

If you are "only a pet owner" but want peace of mind for a heads up on first signs, or ideally a "clear"
then you can realistically plan to do so at age 3, seems to be the latest consensus.

The very experienced cardio dr I got via a referral to the cardio clinic, from my Vet -

said it "would be reasonable to do echo/holter on a pet every other year if no symptoms, maybe addd the NT-probnp blood test in off years as an addition to auscultation" by experienced vet.

Canine NT-proBNP | Heart Disease in Dogs Diagnosis | Bionote USA

Bionote's Vcheck Canine NT-proBNP test is a biomarker for the diagnosis of heart failure. Learn how you can diagnose your patients in-clinic and sooner with Vcheck.

www.bionote.com

There is a lot of discussion on DCM here and elsewhere if you search. I like the DPCA annual seminars hosted for breeders with scientist-vets giving "best practices" guidance.

Here is "how to create you DCM health plan"

this is great info thank you

 

[Renzo Red]

I personally would look at your dog's pedigree and the COD's of his ancestors before putting any merrit in an DNA test. Unfortunately we still don't enough about the disease or the meaning of the 4 markers they have found so far.

EDIT: I just remembered he's a rescue. Do you know anything about his pedigree?

no unfortunately I don't. Are there supplements you would recommend to start? fish oils , coq10?

 

[BGpa]

this is great info thank you

You're welcome!
PS: on the proBNP blood test, the science on this physical test as "early warning on heart problems" is advancing, so there is good news always ahead, as we learn more:

Evaluation of a high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay compared to a first‐generation cardiac troponin I assay in Doberman Pinschers with and without dilated cardiomyopathy - PMC

Echocardiography and 24‐hour ECG are the gold standard tests to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Doberman Pinschers (DP), but myocardial damage might be detected earlier using a high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs‐cTnI) assay. To ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Found from here:

https://helka.helsinki.fi/discovery/search?vid=358UOH_INST:VU1&tab=DefaultSlotOrder&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&mode=basic&displayMode=full&bulkSize=10&highlight=true&dum=true&query=any,contains,Doberman&displayField=all&pcAvailabiltyMode=true

If you have a dobe experienced vet, you can ask more. If not, ask your vet "who they go to professionally, for second opinions on dobes."

It never hurts to seek a second opinion.

 

[Ravenbird]

The easiest way to put my brain to ease about the markers is that in humans with hereditary DCM they have found I think upward of 30 - 40 markers. Dog research is lacking $$$ to do the same kind of intense DNA research and have thus far found 4 "related" markers, but they do not at this point have any relationship to actually getting the disease. Many dogs are clear of all 4 markers and get DCM anyway, and many dogs with copies never get heart disease. At this point these markers serve as "future knowledge" in what role they play regarding DCM. At this time only Wisdom tests for markers 3 & 4. I have heard there is a #5 marker in Europe but can't find that snippet of info again. Also of note the #'s 3 & 4 is much more common in Euro related dogs.

On the other hand, my over-thinking brain is never at ease about DCM even though my dog is clear on 1 & 2 . I have not gotten the Wisdom test, so don't know about 3 & 4, but her full sister was tested and is clear on all. That said, their sire died of sudden death before he turned 8, so I still find little comfort in the clear markers. And yes, Holter and Echo normal the year before he died.