Details about the disease
IMGD or inherited myopathy of Great Danes is an inherited muscle disorder that gets worse with time. This particular condition only appears to affect Great Danes. Dogs typically begin to show signs around 6 months of age and many are euthanised before a year old, although a small number do stabilise and live to adulthood.
Clinical signs
Onset – 6 to 12 months. Signs include; difficulty exercising, tremors (particularly brought on by exercise), weakness, muscle wasting, abnormal posture or gait.
How is it inherited?
The disease is described as an autosomal-recessive condition. This means that a dog must inherit two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father) before its health is affected. A dog that inherits only one copy of the abnormal gene (from its mother or its father) will have no signs of the disease, but will be a carrier and may pass the gene on to any offspring.
Which laboratories test for this condition?
Two lists of laboratories that test for IMGD can be found below.
Laboratories that send a copy of your dog's results straight to The Kennel Club, so you don't have to.
Laboratories | Contact details |
---|---|
The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services (UK) Available as part of an all-in-one health test package for the Great Dane. |
Read more about The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services |
Animal DNA Diagnostics (UK) | Phone: 01223 395577 Email: Animal DNA Diagnostics Web: www.animaldnadiagnostics.co.uk |
Laboklin (UK) | Phone: 0161 282 3066 Email: Laboklin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Web: www.laboklin.co.uk |
Where will your dog's results be published?
DNA test results received by The Kennel Club are recorded on to the dog's record in the registration database, and are published:
- in the next available Breed Records Supplement
- on our Health Test Results Finder
Laboratories that do not send a copy of your dog's results to The Kennel Club. You'll need to do this yourself.
Laboratories | Contact details |
---|---|
Genomia (Czech Republic) | Email:
Genomia Genetic Laboratory
Web: www.genomia.cz |
MyDogDNA (Finland) | Email:
My Dog DNA
Web: www.mydogdna.com |
Paw Print Genetics (USA) | Email:
Paw Print Genetics
Web: www.pawprintgenetics.com |
University of California (USA) | Web: www.vgl.ucdavis.edu |
How to submit DNA test results to The Kennel Club
The laboratories listed above do not send your dog's DNA test results to The Kennel Club. To have these results placed on your dog's record please submit them yourself by scanning and emailing them to our health results team.
What we require on the results certificate
Please note that we require at least two forms of identification on the result certificate. These must include the dog's microchip or tattoo number along with either the dog's registered name or registered number. Results without these details cannot be accepted by us.
Where will your dog's results be published once you have submitted them?
DNA test results received by The Kennel Club are recorded on to the dog's record in the registration database, and are published:
- in the next available Breed Records Supplement
- on our Health Test Results Finder
Breeding advice and what your dog's results mean
If, once your dog is DNA tested, you would like to find out what their DNA test results mean, or how to select the right mate to avoid producing affected puppies, then please read our breeding advice and DNA testing information.
How to find out if a potential mate has been DNA tested
The Kennel Club’s Health Test Results Finder allows you to find the results of DNA tests carried out as part of The Kennel Club's official DNA testing schemes for any dog on The Kennel Club’s Breed Register.