What are the long-term consequences of degenerative myelopathy? Unfortunately degenerative myelopathy progresses to paralysis i.e. an inability for your dog to walk and support their own bodyweight. The progression of the disease results in further weakness, muscle atrophy and finally faecal and urinary incontinence.
DM is an inherited neurologic disease typically affecting dogs around eight years of age or older. It causes gradual muscle wasting and incoordination in the hind limbs, and then progresses to an inability to walk after six to twelve months.
Complete organ failure is possible in the end stages of Degenerative Myelopathy. Pet parents dealing with end-stage Degenerative Myelopathy need to closely consider their dog's quality of life. Seek guidance from your regular veterinarian and closely monitor your dog's symptom progression.
STAGE 4 – LMN tetraplegia and brain stem signs (~ over 36 months) – At the end of the disease, the degeneration can progress to involve neck, brain stem, and brain. Patients will not be able to move all four limbs, have trouble breathing, and have difficulty with swallowing and tongue movement.
Degenerative myelopathy is not painful, but often causes a significant reduction in quality of life, especially in it's later stages. Average life expectancy for a dog with degenerative myelopathy is one - two years.
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.
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.
Left untreated, myelopathy can get worse over time. Spinal compression can permanently damage the nerves that control essential body movements and function. You can't reverse nerve damage, so it is important to get care as soon as you notice symptoms.
In its final stages, degenerative myelopathy can spread to the brain stem. This impacts cognitive function as well as the ability to breathe and swallow normally.
As horrible as all of this sounds, degenerative myelopathy is not painful That being said, dogs that suffer from degenerative myelopathy may become sore from overuse of other areas of their body while trying to compensate for their hind end weakness.
There is no effective treatment for degenerative myelopathy at present. Treatment of other concurrent problems such as arthritis or hip dysplasia may provide some relief from pain or discomfort. It is important to avoid obesity, so diet and exercise (walking and swimming) are vital components of treatment.
“This results in a loss of motor control that begins in the hind limbs, but can spread to involve the front limbs as well as the pathways that control breathing, urination, and defecation. Currently, these changes are irreversible. Advanced cases may cause difficulty breathing as well.
Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord and ultimately the brain stem and cranial nerves which, at its end stages, results in complete paralysis and death.
Treatment for Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs
Veterinarians may be able to treat some related symptoms to relieve discomfort, but a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, including walking and swimming, are the main ways to keep dogs with the condition as mobile as possible.
What is Degenerative Myelopathy? Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects older dogs.
Canine degenerative myelopathy is a genetic problem in dogs that causes a progressive paralysis condition. The condition may cause specific symptoms or may cause a variety of symptoms, but it is always progressive and eventually fatal.
Patients with cervical myelopathy may manifest impairments in functional activities and balance control caused by compression of the spinal cord.
When the spinal cord is compressed or injured, it may cause a loss of sensation, loss of function, and pain or discomfort in the area at or below the compression point. Myelopathy symptoms may include: Neck, arm, leg or lower back pain.
Average survival was 15.3 years (± interquartile range 7.5) and ranged from 0.3 to 24.9 years.
This disease is not uncommon in some pure bred dogs with an overall prevalence rate of 0.19%. Although the German Shepherd Dog is the most commonly affected breed, DM has been reported in other breeds and most recently in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (PWC).
Symptoms of Myelopathy
If you notice a pain, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs, have trouble walking or balancing, experience muscle weakness or feel that your limbs are heavy and fatigued, you may be showing signs of myelopathy.
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.
Dogs suffering from degenerative myelopathy do not appear to be in pain, but they may show anxiety, frustration, or irritation as a result of their decreased mobility.
Typically, dogs remain alert and energetic with a full appetite, no matter how far along the progression of the disease. Degenerative Myelopathy is diagnosed through ruling out other diagnoses.