New Tests Available - Cardiac Laminopathy (CLAM) and Cerebellar Degeneration-Myositis Complex (CDMC) in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The VGL is adding two new tests for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers today: Cardiac Laminopathy (CLAM) and Cerebellar Degeneration-Myositis Complex (CDMC).

Cardiac Laminopathy (CLAM) is a heritable condition that results in dilated cardiomyopathy.  Affected dogs are homozygous for the CLAM variant and no treatment is available at this time. Affected puppies present with sudden death associated with dilated cardiomyopathy within the first year of age. The genetic variant causing CLAM was recently discovered by Dr. Bannasch here at UC Davis, in the School of Veterinary Medicine, and the research findings are not yet published. Dr. Bannasch has shared these finding with the VGL pre-publication so that we could more rapidly offer genetic testing to NSDTR breeders.

Cerebellar Degeneration-Myositis Complex (CDMC) is a heritable disorder that causes neurological signs in affected Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (NSDTRs). Affected puppies are homozygous for the CDMC variant and can present with generalized ataxia (stumbling or lack of coordination), hypermetria (abnormal walking with front legs extending higher than normal), generalized weakness, exercise intolerance, episodic collapse, stiff gait and bunny hop movement as early as 10 weeks of age. To date, CDMC has only been reported in NSDTRs and preliminary studies estimate that 7.1% of European and 2.7% of North American NSDTRs are carriers of the CDMC variant.

Both CLAM and CDMC are inherited in an autosomal recessive, meaning that affected dogs have two copies of the disease allele. DNA testing for CLAM and CDMC can determine the genetic status of dogs and help inform breeding decisions. Dogs with one copy of the CLAM variant are normal but are carriers. Matings between two carrier dogs may, on average, produce 25% of puppies with cardiac laminopathy, which is a lethal condition in young dogs.

Similarly, dogs with one copy of the CDMC variant are normal but are carriers. Matings between two carrier dogs may, on average, produce 25% of puppies with cerebellar degeneration-myositis complex.

As of November 8, 2022, CLAM and CDMC will be included in the NSDTR Health Panel. All NSDTR Health Panel orders for which a sample has not yet been received will be automatically upgraded to the new panel. Unfortunately, samples already in process will not be upgraded because they have not been set up to run on the new panel. For those who want to add CLAM or CDMC to a sample previously tested for the NSDTR Health Panel, these tests will cost $15 each through December 31st, 2022. After that time, the price will return to the usual $30 as an additional test per animal. 

NOTE: If you ordered OFA reporting on the old panel, and would like to report CLAM and/or CDMC, you will need to request and pay for submission of these new test results to OFA.