More info on DM
http://www.shalaine.com/DM/DM.html
From ASSA website
Dermatomyositis (DM)
Description of the condition:
“DM (dermatomyositis) is a devastating genetic disease of the skin and muscle, which afflicts Shetland Sheepdogs, Collies and their crosses. The skin lesions consist of hair loss with or without skin redness, scaling and crusting of the face, ears, legs/feet and tail tip. One or more of these areas of the body may be affected. In addition, some dogs may have muscular involvement. …. Shetland Sheepdogs are fortunate because the muscle involvement is relatively rare. Stress, such as that associated with the hormone fluctuations of heat cycle, will make the symptoms of DM worsen. Intact females appear to be more subject to hormone related stresses than intact males. Stress of travel, moving or family upsets may also make symptoms worse. The only way to diagnose DM is with a biopsy.” Sherry Lindsey, RN BSN,
www.shalaine.com/DM/DM.html
Dermatomyositis (DM) Research - A Search for Potential Genetic Cause
February, 2010 Update
Dr. Christine Rees, Dr. Leigh Anne Clark, and Dr. Keith Murphy have done much of the research investigation concerning DM at Texas A & M University. The ASSA, through the ASSA Foundation, has made generous donations toward their research. The Collie Health Foundation has also been a major supporter of their work. Dr. Rees is now in private practice in Texas. Drs. Clark and Murphy are now working at Clemson University, Clemson, SC. The research has resulted in at least 2 scientific publications.1, 2 The current research on DM is now being done in Dr. Clark’s laboratory.
Research has shown that DM is not an autosomal recessive trait. It is a complex disorder which will require many more DNA samples from affected and normal dogs than would be needed if the condition were an autosomal recessive one.
Dr. Clark is working with the Collie Health Foundation and plans to scan the entire collie genome for genetic variants that may be associated with DM. She believes that the genetic bases of DM in Collies will likely be similar to those in Shelties. She is able and willing to underwrite the cost of processing blood samples from normal and affected Shelties and store the DNA for future DM research.
To generate additional data for Sheltie DM research using the canine SNP array, the Dr. Clark has requested blood samples from 2 groups of Shelties:
Blood samples from DM affected Shelties, along with a copy of the biopsy report confirming the diagnosis), include AKC registration number (if available).
Unaffected Shelties – 10 years or older, must have no history of focal hair loss or any skin condition, not related to a known DM dog, include AKC registration number (if available).
“Our goal is to collect 36 affected and 36 normal Shelties in the next year. I will cover the costs of isolating and storing the DNA. The owners will have to cover any veterinary fees and shipping costs. Most vets will collect the blood at no charge if they understand that it is for research.
We need a minimum of 3mls of whole blood in a purple-top tube. The blood should be shipped with cooler packs, preferably 2nd day. Samples should not be shipped when they will arrive over a weekend or a holiday. They can be stored in a regular refrigerator until they can be shipped.” The owner's name, pet's name, DM status and collection date should be clearly labeled on the tube. Please include owner contact information (email) in case Dr. Clark has any questions.
Mail to:
Dr. Leigh Anne Clark
Clemson University
51 New Cherry Rd
319 BRC bldg
Clemson, SC 29634-0318
Phone: 864-656-4696
Email:
lclark4@clemson.edu
Please support this important research by submitting blood samples and through monetary donations. Those owners with older unaffected Shelties should be able to help reach the goal of samples from 36 dogs.
Donations to the ASSA Foundation to fund DM research would be greatly appreciated. The cost of evaluating DNA samples is approximately $400 – 500/dog. For more information on the ASSA foundation, go to:
http://assa.org/foundation.html .
1 Wahl JM, Clark LA, Skalli O, Ambrus A, Rees CA, Mansell JL, Murphy KE: Analysis of gene transcript profiling and immunobiology in Shetland sheepdogs with dermatomyositis. Vet Dermatol. 2008, 19(2):52-8.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18336421
2 Clark LA, Credille KM, Murphy KE, Rees CA: Brief communication, Linkage of dermatomyositis in the Shetland Sheepdog to chromosome 35. Vet Dermatol. 2005, 16:392-394.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118705211/abstract
Dermatomyositis Research - New Treatment Study
Updated, February, 2010
While at Texas A & M University, Dr. Christine Rees investigated the use of Dapsone as an alternative treatment to Trental (pentoxifylline) for dogs with DM. Dapsone is an oral medication found to be effective in the treatment of DM in humans. The following is a report from Sherry Lindsey RN BSN on the results of the study. Sherry has worked closely with the researchers at Texas A & M and has maintained an extensive website on DM in Shelties.
“The best treatment option for DM symptoms continues to be Trental or pentoxifylline. It is recommended that brand name be used rather than generic. The dose used in the study is 25 to 30 milligrams per kilogram of body weight every 12 hours given by mouth and always with food. These tablets have been successfully split when used in treating the DM study dogs.
Dapsone was also studied and could be used as an alternative in those rare dogs who do not tolerate Trental. The Dapsone dose in the study was 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight every eight hours, given by mouth. However, several dogs did well after being on the Dapsone for a month or two at 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight every 12 hours, by mouth.”
Contacts for DM information/questions:
Sherry Lindsey RN BSN is a longtime Sheltie breeder who assisted Dr. Rees in all of the DM studies and housed and cared for the DM study dogs. She is happy to answer any questions concerning DM and may be reached at
shalainetx@aol.com. A website with DM information, including photos of DM affected dogs, may be found at
www.shalaine.com/DM/DM.html
I was lost with that acronym as well though.
