Why would I want to know my dog is At Risk?

I had all of my dogs tested for the DM gene, and except for Merlin, none tested At Risk. This was a great outcome, and has already been helpful. For example, Janine had a few issues with her back earlier this year and we could immediately rule out DM since she is a carrier.

But what if you do the cheek swab test on your corgi and he/she does test At Risk? Are you doomed to a lifetime of worry or is there anything good about knowing? If your dog is At Risk (carries two copies of the DM gene) what can you do to prevent DM or slow its onset?

Well, we don't really know the answer to that, but here are some things I would consider doing. First, weight! A fat dog is going to have problems with all its joints, and if he develops arthritis before the onset of DM, DM may create more problems. Dogs need their front legs for a traditional cart. If he has developed shoulder problems due to excess weight, he'll have problems with a cart.

Second, train your dog. Obedience commands (and competition in obedience and rally) help prepare your dog to LEARN to use a cart. If he has a good heel command, he'll heel in the cart- and be walking in it.

Also train him to use a ramp. He'll need to use a ramp if he gets DM and you have any stairs. So train him now and make that an easy adjustment.

Make sure he is used to having his feet handled. If he develops DM, you will be lifting him into and out of a cart; this is much harder with a corgi that does not like to be handled or touched in certain places.

Make sure he is happy to go to the vet's office. If he's exceedingly healthy and never needs to go, take him along anyway and feed him treats while you are there. (Always a good idea, anyway, to socialize all your dogs to the vet!)

Get him used to medical equipment. If you don't, as I do, have carts lying all over the house, borrow a walker and stick it somewhere. Take him to places where people use walkers and wheelchairs. If he is touch-sensitive, get him used to a harness to help desensitize him.

And make sure you teach him to pee and poop on command! This isn't as hard as you may think, just give the commands at the time when he normally goes, and reward appropriately. A clicker can help with precise timing. Some people use commands such as "Hurry up" or "Make" but whatever you pick, make sure you are consistent and that you won't be embarrassed to say it in public. Later, if your dog ends up in a cart, you can command him to go and he'll quickly learn to pee and poop in the cart.

Can you prevent DM? Right now no one knows. But start with a healthy diet, maybe add some antioxidants, avoid noxious chemicals like herbicides and pesticides (particularly things sprayed in the house or yard), and who knows, maybe it will help your dog dodge the bullet. We just don't know yet.

I don't have any dogs likely to get DM. I do have two younger dogs that have possible back issues (IVDD) and I'm following my own advice for them as many of the issues are the same.