Canine Degenerative Myelopathy

A degenerative neurologic disease initially described in 1973.

What is It?

Canine Degenerative Myelopathy can almost be described as Multiple Sclerosis in humans. It is an inflammatory spinal cord disease that disintegrates the myelin sheath which acts as insulation, protecting the nerve fibers in the spine.

Autoimmune Disease in Dogs

In German Shepherds, it is unique as it is considered dog autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the central nervous system which leads to a loss of the myelin. Without these nerve connections, the muscles cannot work and the dog is unable to walk.

Other dog breeds that can develop the same type of DM as seen in the GSD are:

• Belgian Sheepdog
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever
• Great Pyrenees
• Laboratory Retriever
• Old English Sheepdog
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Weimeraner

It is unknown whether the exact condition exists in other dog breeds.

What Causes It?

DM appears to have genetic factors. Since it appears relatively frequently in GSD's, there is a supposed genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Diseases

Usually occurring in dogs aged 5-14 years, signs of spinal myelopathy can initially be difficult to spot. It is gradual in its progression. Any combination of the following symptoms can appear, possibly disappear, only to reemerge:

• difficulty in rising or laying down
• dragging of rear legs
• hoarse bark
• knuckling (walking with toes bent under)
• limp tail
• loss of balance
• muscle wasting (usually as loss of rear musculature)
• rear limb ataxia (loss of coordination)
• rear legs crossing
• spinal ataxia
• stumbling
• weakness in the hindquarters

In its final stages, it leads to paralysis and incontinence.

Treatment for Diseases of the Spinal Cord

Roger Clemmons, DVM, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, at the University of Florida, has been researching canine degenerative myelopathy for most of his career. He has come up with a four step program to slow the progression of canine degenerative myelopathy.

It consists of:

• dietary supplementation
• exercise
• medication
• other supportive measures

Using his method, one German Shepherd owner was able to increase the quality of her dog's life and extend it from the 2-3 months she was given to 13 months.

Another German Shepherd's struggle with this disease can be found here. Read Noel's story of degenerative myelopathy.

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