Understanding DM

•Progressive disease affecting the spinal cord

•Slow progression of hind limb weakness and paralysis

•Eventually progresses to forelimbs

•No known cure

•Mostly closely related to ALS in people

Neurodegenerative Disease

DM begins in the spinal cord in the “thoraco-lumbar region” and encompasses T3-L3.  Sadly, there is no known cure for DM. However, there is a lot that can be done to improve quality of life and potentially extend your dog’s lifespan

Daily Physiotherapy Increases Life Span of Dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy

Laser therapy and rehab can add years to the lives of dogs affected by Degenerative Myelopathy

New Study Results Suggest this Supplement May Slow Degenerative Myelopathy

LIVE Interview with Dr Steve Marsden: “Halting Degenerative Myelopathy”

Living with Dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy 2.0

We offer a program for dog parents of dogs with DM to connect you with others going through a similar experience, empower you with knowledge to help your dog, and live support to ask questions and dialogue about what is happening and what you can do.  This program encompasses a self directed learning course with 70+ lessons and a live forum to interact with others.  The program is based on both existing research and clinical and personal experience.

How does that sound?

Characterized by:

•Decreased body awareness (proprioception)

•Difficulty controlling movement (motor control)

•Lack of localized spinal pain. Can still experience pain from other conditions – ie arthritis and compensatory pain

•Weakness hind end (paraparesis) – disrupted nerve signals from the brain to the muscles resulting in weakness

What’s Happening

Dogs with DM have a mutation present in the superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) enzyme. SOD-1 is a free radical scavenger however the mutation alters its function making it ineffective.  This leads to an accumulation of toxic by-products in axons that transmit movement signals from the brain to the limbs and sensory feedback from the limbs back up to the brain.

Over time this leads to demyelination and actual loss of nerve fibres.

Consider insulation around an electrical wire breaking down. This would lead to poor impulse movement. Without the myelin, brain body communication is impaired.

Stages of the Disease

Progression from stage 1 to stage 2 is usually 6-9 months as dogs become non ambulatory

Sadly, this is also often the time dog owners make the decision to euthanize.

If a dog survives stage 1-2  there is lower motor neuron (LMN) paralysis of the pelvic limbs, incontinence and, eventually, the thoracic limbs weakness.

Degenerative Myelopathy has a slow, insidious (unknown cause) onset with a slow progression of rear weakness. It is common for the signs to progress slowly, plateau, and then start to progress again.

Diagnosing DM

Other diseases and injuries that can look similar to DM but have some key differences and therefore different treatment plans

To learn about genetic testing to rule in or rule out DM, click HERE