Quick Summary
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Phenotype: Signs of Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy (AMPN) can include exercise intolerance, change in bark, noisy breathing, muscle atrophy, and progressive gait abnormalities of hind legs. Signs of the disease appear between 3-19 months of age and can range from mild to severe. Affected dogs may have difficulty standing and walking up stairs.
Mode of Inheritance: Autosomal recessive
Alleles: N = Normal, AMP = Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy
Breeds appropriate for testing: Alaskan Malamute
Explanation of Results:
- Dogs with N/N genotype will not have Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy and cannot transmit this variant to their offspring.
- Dogs with N/AMP genotype will not be affected by Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy, but are carriers. They will transmit this variant to 50% of their offspring. Matings between two carriers are predicted to produce 25% Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy-affected puppies.
- Dogs with AMP/AMP genotype will have Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy, a neuromuscular disease.
Results of this test can be submitted to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)
Sample Collection
Dog DNA tests are carried out using cells brushed from your dog's cheeks and gums. The preferred cytology brushes are sent to you by mail, or you may provide your own brushes. For accepted alternative brushes, click here
We recommend waiting until puppies are at least three weeks old before testing.
Step-By-Step:
- Make sure the dog has not had anything to eat or drink for at least 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
- When swabbing puppies, isolate each puppy from the mother, littermates and any shared toys for 1 hour prior to swabbing. Puppies should not have nursed or eaten for 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
- If collecting samples from more than one dog, make sure to sample one dog at a time and wash your hands before swabbing another dog.
- Label brush sleeve with name or ID of dog to be sampled.
- Open brush sleeve by arrow and remove one brush by its handle.
- Place bristle head between the dog’s gums and cheek and press lightly on the outside of the cheek while rubbing or rotating the brush back and forth for 15 seconds.
- Wave the brush in the air for 20 seconds to air dry.
- Insert brush back into sleeve.
- Repeat steps 5 - 8 for each unused brush in sleeve on a fresh area of cheek and gums. Make sure to use and return all brushes sent by the VGL. In most cases, it will be 3 brushes per dog. If using interdental gum brushes, please note that the VGL requires 4 brushes per dog and only moderate or wide interdental gum brushes are accepted.
- Do not seal brushes in sleeve.
- Place all samples in an envelope and return to the address provided.
ATTENTION:
- Do not collect saliva/drool – the key to obtaining a good sample is getting cheek cells on the swab
- Do not rub swab on the dog’s tongue or teeth – this will result in poor quality sample
- Do not collect a sample from a puppy that has recently nursed – the mother’s genetic material can rub off on the puppy’s mouth and contaminate the sample
Alaskan Malamute Polyneuropathy (AMPN) is an inherited neuromuscular defect. Signs can include exercise intolerance, change in bark, noisy breathing, muscle atrophy and progressive gait abnormalities of hind legs. Signs of the disease appear between 3-19 months of age and can range from mild to severe. Affected dogs may have difficulty standing and walking up stairs.
AMPN is caused by a mutation in the N-myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG1). It is inherited as an autosomal recessive, thus both females and males can be affected if they carry 2 copies of the defective gene. Animals with 1 copy are not affected but are carriers. Breeding two carriers together is predicted to produce 25% affected offspring and 50% carriers of the disease.
Testing for AMPN assists owners and breeders in identifying affected and carrier dogs. Breeders can use results from the test as a tool for selection of mating pairs to avoid producing affected dogs.