DM is a progressive spinal disease that slowly weakens a dog's limbs that is common in older German Shepherds. As a dog's spine slowly degenerates, the lack of nerve signals to the muscles in the
Dogs shake and tremble for all kinds of reasons -- excitement, pain, old age, even nausea. Shivering and trembling may be symptoms of something serious -- like poisoning, kidney disease, or injury.
Yes, degenerative myelopathy causes seizures in dogs because the seizure is among the symptoms of degenerative myelopathy that appears within the late stages. The other symptoms are diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and vomiting.
DM is now believed to be very similar to the human disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neurone disease.
Degenerative Myelopathy has a slow, insidious onset with a slow progression of weakness. It is not uncommon for the signs to progress slowly, plateau, and then start to progress again.
How quickly does degenerative myelopathy progress? Unfortunately DM tends to progress very quickly. Most dogs that have been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy will become paraplegic within six months to a year.
Degenerative Myelopathy
As a dog's spine slowly degenerates, the lack of nerve signals to the muscles in the hind legs can cause muscle spasms, involuntary muscle contractions, as well as shaking in the back legs and feet.
Degenerative myelopathy involves a progressive thinning of the protective myelin sheath that provides insulation for painal nerves. This degeneration typically causes hind leg weakness and tremors, first in one rear leg, then in the other (it does not affect the front legs).
Cervical myelopathy is a condition describing a compression of the spinal cord at the cervical level of the spinal column resulting in spasticity (sustained muscle contractions), hyperreflexia, pathologic reflexes, digit/hand clumsiness, and/or gait disturbance.
For senior dogs, problems like vision loss due to cataracts and hearing loss can alter their confidence and personality and make them more likely to tremble. It is common for some dogs to shake out of fear or anxiety. For example, some dogs tremble during thunderstorms.
It could be a quick fix, but most of the time, panting and shaking is a sign that you need to take a trip to the vet as soon as possible. Let's consider what you should know about keeping your dog healthy, happy, and safe.
Yes, dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy should stay as active as possible. Keeping a DM dog active can actually help slow down the progression of the disease. Physical therapy and regular structured exercises, including walking, can help dogs with DM maintain muscle strength and minimize their risk of muscle atrophy.
With time, the disease causes paralysis of the hind limbs. The entire spinal cord can eventually become affected—causing forelimb paralysis and problems with breathing, vocalizing, and eating.
Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is characterised by a non-painful progressive hind limb paralysis in older dogs.
Like humans, dogs can sprain or strain their muscles. They could have also overexerted themselves and are now feeling weak. Your dog may have been involved in an accident that caused fractures or trauma, which can make their back legs shake. Your pup could have injured their spine, which is painful for them.
Old dogs (geriatric) can experience back-end leg shaking and weakness with different forms of arthritis wearing down cartilage and decreasing synovial fluids. Pain can contribute to shaking and weakness with both acute and chronic conditions like degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, or hip dysplasia.
Sadly, the prognosis for dogs with DM is poor. Without any intervention, most dogs will become paralyzed in 6-12 months, and the disease will continue to progress. When the front limbs start showing symptoms, end of life care and humane euthanasia are strongly recommended.
Nerve damage: Injury, disease, or a problem with your central nervous system can also cause tremors. Your doctor will call this peripheral neuropathy.
Prognosis for Dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy
The spinal cord will continue to degenerate, the dog will have trouble standing up from laying down, and mobility will become more difficult as time goes on. Eventually, a dog with DM will become incontinent. The final stage of DM is paralysis.
Sadly, most dogs with degenerative myelopathy eventually lose control of their legs, bladder and bowels completely, and need to be put to sleep. The average life expectancy of a dog with degenerative myelopathy is 1-2 years from diagnosis.
Degenerative myelopathy is a degenerative disease, meaning it will progress over time. Symptoms can include weakness in the hind legs, loss of coordination/ataxia, and eventually paralysis of the hind limbs. Degenerative myelopathy often starts with dogs scuffing the tops of their hind paws when walking.
By nature, DM is a progressive condition, which means symptoms will worsen over time. In addition, each stage of DM will affect your dog's mobility differently. For example, in its earliest stages, dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy may experience only minor changes in their gait.
Signs of Neurological Issues in Pets
Unusual or jerky eye movements. Abnormal gait, unexplained weakness or paralysis. Foot dragging or knuckling of paws. Pain along the spine, neck or back.