![]() Booties to protect the paws as they knuckle over are imperative to prevent infection, harnesses will assist the dog in rising and with walking. In addition, modalities such as massage, acupuncture, and laser therapy can help to increase blood flow and stimulate the nervous system.Īs the disease continues to progress most dogs will need help in some form of an assistive device. Having to walk on a timed belt as opposed to on ground challenges their propriopception (where are my feet in space). It gives DM dogs buoyancy to aid them in holding up their body weight hence they can then concentrate on moving their limbs through the water which encourages muscle building. Walking in the underwater treadmill can also be beneficial. Too much exercise for these patients can be detrimental as their muscles easily become fatigued. ![]() Creating a custom home exercise program with a rehabilitation veterinarian is crucial for DM dogs (4). A study published by the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine reported dogs diagnosed with DM who had intense rehabilitation therapy lived an average of 255 days compared to dogs who received no therapy (55 days). However physical exercise appears to be a key component to helping DM dogs live longer. The goal is to maximize the function and the quality of life of the dog during each stage of the disease. Treatment is more of a management process. Once the symptoms have started to appear the damage has begun. Since DM is a progressive disease, if there is a sudden onset of symptoms this diagnosis can be ruled out.Ĭurrently there is no known treatment for DM. Diagnostic tests such as blood work, x-rays, CSF taps, myelography and MRI can help rule out any of the aforementioned pathologies. Diagnosing DM is often a process of “ruling out” other pathological conditions such as arthritis, herniated disks, spinal tumors, stroke, infection, lumbosacral disease, etc. Recognizing and diagnosing degenerative myelopathy (DM) in dogs can be difficult as other conditions can present similarly to the disease. It is a simple cheek swab of saliva that will tell if your dog tests clear (2 normal copies of the DM gene), is a carrier (one normal copy and one mutated copy of the gene), or is at risk of developing DM (has 2 mutated copies of the gene) (3). A genetic test is available for all dogs through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Genetic research is ongoing in many other breeds. The dog breeds most affected by this disease are the Hovawart, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, German Shepherd, Boxer, Golden Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Bernese Mountain Dog. Due to quality of life concerns most dogs are humanely euthanized before they get to this stage. During the final stage of the disease the dog usually succumbs to respiratory failure. ![]() As the disease continues into advanced stages the dog will lose urinary and fecal continence, and eventually the disease will affect the front limbs as well. This progression can take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years depending on the severity of the signs (1)(2). The disease accelerates until the dog is unable to walk and is paraplegic in the rear limbs. ![]() The dog will look ataxic (wobbly), start to scuff its feet, and ultimately knuckle over walking on the tops of its paws. The disease will usually start in one hind limb eventually progressing to the other hind limb. As the white matter degenerates the dog loses coordination making it difficult to walk. The white matter is significant as it helps transmit information from the brain to the dog’s limbs (2). It is a slow progressive, non-inflammatory deterioration of the white matter of the spinal cord (1). It affects mature dogs usually between the ages of 8-14 years. 2) Myelopathy – disturbance or disease of the spinal cord.ĭegenerative myelopathy in dogs most parallels the disease in ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease in humans. While Luke has been not been officially diagnosed with DM, his symptoms are very indicative of the disease.īasic definition breakdown: 1) Degenerate – to lose functional activity. Luke is shown here, exercising in the underwater treadmill.
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