What Is The MDR1 Gene And Why Should You Care?

All Yankee Shelties are tested for this genetic mutation as part of a larger DNA panel

MDR1 is a mutant gene that prevents a dog from excreting medications from its brain. If the drugs can’t be removed, they can reach toxic levels and cause neurological symptoms. Sometimes these symptoms are mild. A dog may drool, become irritable, or have ataxia…. things you would not immediately think of as a drug reaction. Other times the symptoms are