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Wanda, aged 9. My best friend. Strong DM Symptoms :(

7K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  Chip18 
#1 ·
Hey guys, this is my first post on here (sorry).



My VERY hairy dog Wanda is displaying symptoms of degenerative myelopathy. Her rear legs are pretty weak and I can hear her rear paw nails scraping off the ground. I live right at the canal and she is mostly taken out walks on grass. Wanda was having difficulty getting up at times so we took her to the vet.

We had taken her to the vet who has 30 years+ experience. The vet gave her an injection of inflammatory and also the medication of prednoleucotropin 3 x a day to help possible arthritis or hip dysplasia and see if there had been any improvement.

We tried this out for a week and it did appear there was a slight improvement as she seemed to be getting up a bit easier and quicker.

Now, I am pretty convinced myself that it is DM and I am not happy with the vetinary treatment here in Glasgow.

I dont know if anyone here is from Glasgow but I have taken my dog to one of the most experienced vets in the city (page one on google). I am aware they are a very good vet indeed however I have suspicions about DM because this is a fairly new recognised disease is it not? The vets are older people and I am affraid maybe they are not fully aware of it?

I am seeking help on medication supplements i could aquire myself, maybe even over the internet? Im not really 'into' food myself and dont know all the good and bad stuff. I have read about glucosamine, is this something I should be buying? Could someone please tell me where to go to purchase the supplements that would aid in prolonging this incurable disease.

Is there anyone on here from Glasgow? Does anyone know anywhere in Glasgow I can take Wanda to and discuss degenerative myelopathy with?

Warm thank you to anyone who takes their time in reading my post and replying with your comments.

Thank You
 
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#3 · (Edited)
I have no suggestions for you in glasgow:( Sorry your girl may have DM.

Have you done some internet searching on DM? I dont have the link, but I know there is a big website devoted to it.

Also you might want to google a Dr Belfield, He used to have a good protocol of easily available meds for DM dogs.

I used them when my now passed, gsd, had spondylosis. It was years ago, so I can't remember exactly what i used, but they were vitamins and such. and did give me another 3 years with him..

Here's a good read http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/caninehealthdogs/a/VVP_degenmyel2.htm
 
#6 ·
There are a lot of similarities of DM to Multiple Sclerosis. At the market which I attend every Saturday as a vendor for the last 5 years, I got to know a gentleman who has MS . He was involved in a experimental program and reported to the U of T medical dept to monitor progress. Like DM , MS is a degeneration of the myelin sheath of the nerve bundles . His diet was Anti- inflammatory . High antioxidant ( high ORAC rating , a measurment for total antioxidant power ) . Blueberries, goji berries, raspberries, cranberries - are fruit examples. Green tea, "matcha" a pinch here or there is great for the immune system and for polyphenols . You can buy it at the tea specialists in fine powder (matcha) or at the health food store in capsule , or even as a premade canine formula veterinary formulated "I love dogs" brand.
MSM . Fish oils. I was suppying herring oil , and krill oil and are you ready for this seal oil . There is some research being done at the moment to determine whether a mammalian source of omega 3 , dha epa is more available to mammals , ourselves and dogs, than fish oil.
Omega 3 , GLA ( a constituent in mother's milk found in hemp oil).
Change the diet shifting away from grain inclusive diet to grain free kibble , if kibble fed, and / or feed high quality good protein sources such as raw meats (with bones - chicken ribs etc) .
Include micro algae, spirulina, split cell chlorella.
Include chlorophyll - these are blood building , immune enhancing.
I know my market friend was on specific mushrooms .
He was ecstatic when he shared reports that the extensive physical examinations that he took did show a positive response in regrowing myelin sheath .

If at all possible see if you can't find a holistic , naturopathic vet . Many of them use integrative or complimentary medicine.

There are other experiences that I have through Dachshund owners - if you want to PM me about that.

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs
 
#7 ·
I have an older girl who is my best friend as well. A beautiful proud 10 year old lady. Every day I have left with her is gold. I laugh at the funny things she does, even if they're bitchy because that's just her and part of why she's so dear to me.

She presents some of the symptoms of DM and I have worried about it. She was also diagnosed at 2 y/o with mild HD and at 6 with arthritis.

Please rule these out before you call DM. For your own heart break sake.

We went through a cancer scare last december over a young inexperienced vet who didn't know a blown anal gland from tumor. She knew all about cancer and DM and wanted to educate me... I spent 2 weeks replaying the words of a dear friend who's also a vet tech with GSDs herself. 'Cancer doesn't care. A tumor isn't going to respond to antiboitics'

Just something to think about before you get hysterical with worry.
 
#8 ·
Thank you for your replies. It is very much appreciated.

I have purchased a few products that contain Glucosamine from Natural Dog Supplements | Pooch and Mutt

I purchased the Mobile Bones and Salmon Oil products and hope to introduce them to wanda steadily.

Thank you for your post carmspack. Alot of good sources there. Do you know any websites to get them from?

RebelGSD. That is fantastic results from that treatment. What are the costs involved for stem cell therapy?

I am still hoping to get a second opinion with another vet. I am work long shifts (i have family back home, where relationships are, at this moment due to this problem, not the best. My dad is saying to stop dismissing our original vets comments as he is the professional of 30+ years). So im going to have to do this myself. I cant get time off work until Monday (this is wednesday), unless I phone in sick. Its a nightmare and really getting me down.

If it is indeed DM i know its a losing war, but I'm going to put up a **** of a battle.

Thanks again for your feedback guys.
 
#10 ·
Hi. I am just back from my second vet. He states that it is more than likely CDRM. Which I believe is now called DM? Is this correct.

He said the prednoleucotropin (PLT), which is what Wanda is already on, is what he would have issued to Wanda.

He stated that it is progressive and it its progression could speed up or slow down at certain times.

I mentioned hydrotherapy and he says its good for dogs with arthritis and similar pain issues but maybe not more so with DM Dogs.

WestLab state they do ship to the UK. However they need a prescription for it.

I never even asked for the prescription because I never got the email from westlab before the vet visit
:(

I didn't want to question the vet's intelligence in asking for a prescription for relatively new medication from Florida.

Is there any other way to get this medication to the UK


I do have consultation notes that state it is more than likely CDRM.
 
#11 ·
Here's a link to my favorite DM site. DM is difficult to diagnose, from what I understand it's more of an elimination process. Unless it's changed recently, it's been my understanding that swimming is recommended exercise for DM patients (but if I were you I'd look into it). Why not contact Westlab and see if they have any suggestions for shipping the necessary medication to you. It could be they accept prescriptions outside the US. If not, maybe a vet here in the US would write the script if your vet requests it????
Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group - Jack Flash's Homepage
 
#12 ·
I highly recommend you take a look at the site Gayle posted. I ended up there when I went searching about DM when I suspected (and later confirmed by my vet) DM for my Dakota.

I am including a site by Dr. Clemmons who was at the forefront of DM research.
http://http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm

I caught Dakota's DM at the early stages. My vet and I created a battle plan for Dakota. This included Dr. Clemmons protocol and acupuncture. While Dakota was not the norm, he did make it nearly 4 years after his initial diagnosis.

Exercise is extremely important for a dog with DM. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise if your dog is inclined and you have access to an area she can swim. If not, walking is just as important.

Carm is also a wealth of info re: supplamenting/diet. Diet is just as important as exercise.

BTW, I think in the UK, DM is called CDRM...took a quick google of it...I believe they are one in the same.
 
#14 ·
Rocky89,

This thread is 5 years old. The dog in question is probably gone to his reward. His owner only posted three posts, so chances are, you aren't going to get a reply from him.
 
#15 ·
OK i'm getting confused?? Are there 3 members diggin up old Dm threads??? I just responded to a Wheelchair question and now I realize that was someone else??

I did post a link to the most current thread after you told them what up's but well I guess I can do it again. Try and get everyone on the same page as it were.

http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/health-issues/612337-degenerative-myelopathy.html


Hmm ... actually I think there is one even more recent?? But I found that one first so I'll go with that.
 
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