Ivermectin and multidrug sensitivity
Summary
Multidrug sensitivity is often called ivermectin sensitivity and is most commonly found in Collie breeds and crossbred dogs.
Dogs with multidrug sensitivity can be poisoned by low doses of ivermectin or a range of other drugs and medications. You should let your vet know if you discover your dog is affected or a carrier for this disorder.
Multidrug sensitivity is an autosomal recessive disorder. Autosomal disorders can affect male or female dogs, while "recessive" means that a dog needs to inherit the multidrug sensitivity mutation from both parents to be affected. Carriers (dogs with an MDR1 n result) can safely be bred to clear dogs (those with an n n result) with no risk of producing affected pups. Carriers should not be bred to other carriers.
Gene or region and technical reference
Gene: ABCB1 (MDR1) (causative). Reference: Mealey et al. (2001)
Reported alleles
n. Test developed using artificial DNA, animal controls.
MDR1. Test developed using artificial DNA.
Panels: groups of tests that are often ordered together
This test is in the working dog core panel.
