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The following disease written about on this page are the 3 most common disease tested for.  Here at Cosmic Corgis are tested dogs are tested for these disease.   But here's something you should know about these disease.  Not only are they rare, but most dogs are misdiagnosed for having these disease when in fact it there are far more common disease that can affect corgis that share similar symptoms

Another issue is the  test itself.  All because a dog is tested as Affected does not mean it will develop the disease.  The test tells you if they carry any copies and how many they carry.  Most dogs will never develop the disease

Here is the rate of dogs labeled affected by the disease

DM .75 -2%

EIC  1-2%

1vwd 2-6%

to put it into perspective for Dm for instance that would mean 98-99% of corgis  should never develop the disease even if they carry both copies of te gene.

But here's the truth.  there has been a very small number of dogs that carry only 1 or none of the genes for these diseases and yet are diagnosed with the disease

Scientist feel the reason may be we are either testing the wrong gene or there must be more genes that must combine with each other in order for the disease to develop.

So while testing is important the results have to be taken with a grain of salt and understood that while it's a tool for breeding it's results should not be the sole determining factor in health, breedability or quality of a dog.

Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy (referred to as DM) is a genetic disorder that is prevalent in Pembroke Welsh Corgis (it also has been found to effect at least 42 other breeds of dogs). In 2008, the gene was discovered to be able to test for this disease in dogs. The testing is a simple cheek/saliva swab that takes 7-14 days to get results back. Education is the most important thing when dealing with or learning about this disease. As below articles and research will show, not ALL dogs who test At Risk (Double Positive) for this disease will develop it in their lifetime. Many Breeders feel that most dogs develop this disease late in their senior years and therefore don't feel it necessary to test, yet studies are starting to show some dogs can start developing DM as early as 7 years old. It is a tragic disease to watch - the effected dog starts to deteriorate as the disease starts to show symptoms and slowly but surely progresses up the dog's spine.

Please keep in mind, although many breeders are starting to, or are already, taking the necessary steps to breed away from this disease, that regardless what a dog tests, it's still a GOOD DOG. Just because a dog may be At Risk, doesn't make them a lesser or "dirty dog" - they just unfortunately may potentially develop the disease as they get older. Not ALL DM At Risk dogs are guaranteed to develop the disease, an At Risk dog may pass from other ailments or become compromised from other natural causes and never develop the disease. There are always unknown genetic diseases that are yet to be discovered or have developed testing yet. Many people become overly critical of finding the genetically perfect dog (or animal of any kind) and forfeit many far more important things such as conformation, intelligence and temperament - just remember there's a fine balance to everything.

Sample Chart of DM Results Percentages

Test Results will come back as 1 of 3 options:

A) CLEAR - N/N - Normal

B) CARRIER - N/C - Not Affected

C) AT RISK - C/C - Affected

​

The chart on the right shows the percentages of genetic probable outcomes for a variety of crosses depending on the results. These are PROBABLE outcomes, but not guaranteed. On Carrier Crosses - one may cross a Carrier on a Clear and get all Carriers or even all Clears, it just depends on each scenario - it is not a guarantee you will get 50/50 - the only fixed outcomes are an At Risk/At Risk cross, an At Risk/Clear cross, or a Clear/Clear cross (any that show 100% on the chart on the right are Guaranteed results)

An Explanation of DM in Dogs - Article

RESOURCE: http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2012/june/degenerative_myelopathy_in_dogs-25037#

Published on petMD (http://www.petmd.com)

Additional Articles for Research and Education

https://www.welshcorgi-news.ch/Gesundheit/DM_eng.html

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/degenerative-myelopathy-in-dogs/

Testing For DM

Testing for Degenerative Myelopathy is relatively simple, it's just a saliva/cheek swab that is relatively inexpensive ($25-$95 depending on the company). If you have an untested pup or adult Corgi, and wish to test your dog, you can order DM Testing Kits from any of the following Genetic Testing Companies:

- OFFA

- GenSol

- DDC Veterinary

Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) is a genetic disorder, mainly found in Labrador Retrievers [1] , Chesapeake Bay Retrievers , Curly Coated Retrievers, and Boykin Spaniels. The genetic mutation has also been seen in a few cases in Cocker spaniels, German wire-haired pointers, Old English Sheepdogs, Bouvier des Flandres, Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Clumber Spaniels. Signs are most likely to first become apparent in young dogs when they enter heavy training, which is usually between 5 months and 1 year of age.[2] Dogs of either sex can be affected. Dogs with this condition are always normal at rest and are described as being extremely fit, prime athletic specimens of their breed.

Dogs affected with this have no problem with regular exercise. The collapse occurs only with very strenuous exercise such as retrieving or participating in trials. Added excitement coincidental with the heavy exercise is more likely to bring on the collapse. [2] Not all dogs with the disorder have an episode each time they exercise. It appears that the condition is more likely to occur with warmer temperatures. The lives of dogs with EIC are normal if extreme exercise is avoided.[3]

1VWD

Otherwse known as von willebrand disease, this disease is a bleeding disorder.  Screening for this disease has been debatable.  There are several other test that would need to be preformed in order to properly diagnos if a pet truely has a bleeding disorder.  merely carrying the gene for this doesnt mean pet has it  there are also other bleeding disorders that the current screening for Corgis does not check for.*

The useful of of the current testing for these diseases is debated amoung researchers, scientists and even veterinarIan’s.  By knowing the genetic status of a dog one can breed to try to lower the incidence of the diseases. That being said no matter what the results are these test do nothing to tell you if the dog has or will ever have the disease. There are dogs that do get these diseases that have been tested clear or to only carry one copy of the gene.  Also carrying both copies does not mean you dog will ever get it.  The fact is that it is very unpredictable as to which dog may or may not get it.  Despite what a breeder may say there is no way to guarantee a puppy won’t develop these illnesses. We can do the best we can with the testing available to us and strive to prevent it but as with many things in life there are no guarantees.