05/07/2022
A mutation in the ABCB1 gene makes animals more sensitive to the negative effects of certain medications, even at normal doses that would not have adverse effects on most animals. Many herding breeds, including Collies, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheep Dogs, Long-haired Whippets, Silken Windhounds and dogs of mixed herding descent are affected by this mutation.
Drugs that affect these dogs include -
• Analgesic/sedative: Acepromazine, Butorphanol
• Antibacterial: Erythromycin
• Antiparasitic: Octadepsipeptide, Doramectin, Eprinomectin, Ivermectin, Milbemycin, Moxidectin, Selamectin, Emodepside (At extralabel doses only; label doses for heartworm prevention in dogs and cats are safe according to current research, but use with extreme caution)
• Chemotherapeutic: Antibiotic/antineoplastic agents, Vinca alkaloids, Taxanes, Actinomycin D, Doxorubicin, Vinblastine, Vincristine, Vinorelbine, Docetaxel, Paclitaxel,
• GI Antidiarrheal/Antiemetic: Loperamide, Ondansetron (Metronidazole has been incriminated, however it does not use the p-glycoprotein system in metabolism. Metronidazole can have neurologic side-effects but they are not related to the MDR1 gene.)
• Apomorphine (used to induce vomiting)
Embark DNA testing for dogs is an amazing resource and all herding breed dogs should get tested.
Get $40 Embark testing using the code DOGLIFE and this link: https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=878501&u=2904814&m=66364&urllink=&afftrack=
For more information on MDR1: https://drjudymorgan.com/blogs/blog/mdr1-gene-mutations-why-do-they-matter?_pos=1&_sid=9aa8df1cf&_ss=r
More MDR1 Resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OaasackM-otXjHIWkI6zh6UZ2i-43kXx?usp=sharing
