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Degenerative Myelopathy?

6K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  Masha1 
#1 ·
I have noticed for approx. the last two weeks my 5 year old male German Shepherd has been having a difficult time getting up from a laying down position. At first I just thought it was the flooring in the kitchen, but now it is also on carpeting. I took him to the vet on Friday, where they did some blood work, everything came back normal. They also did a complete physical, checking his legs, hips and back. Everything checking out fine, he did not have any pain at all. He did prescribe an anti-inflammatory to see if that would help, he is still having problems The vet had mentioned degenerative myelopathy as a possibility and they would like us to see a neurologist. I am heart broken and just looking suggestions/advice.

Thanks-
 
#5 ·
I'd make the appointment with the vet neurologist -- and be prepared to spend some money on diagnostic imaging (xrays, possibly MRI). It could be something spinal -- and fixable by surgery. There was just another thread with someone with a 6-year old that went lame, and the MRI found the spinal issue and they fixed it. That one too sounded like DM at first blush, but it wasn't.

Try to keep your mind off the worst case scenarios at this point, even though it's super-scary. I think getting under the care of a board-certified specialist at this point is a really good plan.
 
#7 ·
I mostly agree with 5 years being a bit young for DM to be the culprit and from my experience, DM started off with the slightest bit of scuffing of the hind paws while walking rather than any difficulty exhibited by the dog being able to get up from a downed position. I too am hopeful that it is not DM.

SuperG
 
#8 ·
Here is what I can tell you about DM. It is painless, it destroys the nerves so the dogs don't realize what is going on. It strikes at an age were old age is looming, often the first signs are chalked up to aging. It is sneaky, it comes quietly to steal pieces of your dog while you aren't looking. It is relentless, try what you will it marches forward. It is cowardly, it is a disease that will never reveal itself until it's far to late since the best we have is a genetic test that reveals whether or not your dog could develop symptoms. Until a necropsy unveils it's presence.
I have never spoken to anyone with a DM dog who actually knows exactly when it started, that's why the timelines are so sketchy. Scuffing feet, back legs twisting around each other, tail getting closer to the ground, these are the first signs. Almost always one leg goes before the other. The best description I can give you is it's like their legs stop working. I can tell you that 5 is very young, and difficulty getting up is a strong indicator of a spinal or hip issue.
 
#9 ·
Hmmm ... saddly it sounds like you know the disease well also. :(

Struddell did not have a tail so I don't know on that one. But I did hear the scuffing of the toenail did not understand why for awhile. But if it's something other than DM with this dog, wouldn't the dog show some signs of being in pain??

And if my next "Boxer" is a rescue I will do the DNA test, nothing you can be done if it's a positive but I think I would like to know either way, I got sand bagged the first time ... and that always makes anything worst ... I think.
 
#11 ·
For those concerned about it, Dr. Clemmons (a DM researcher) has an old website with his nutritional research for GSDs (with suggestions both for dogs with DM and dogs who haven't had any expression of it). I'm not sure any of it will make a difference, but it's at least a place to start:
Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherds

I was sent to his website by my vet when an older dog started scuffing, and there was a thought it might have been an early sign of DM.
 
#13 ·
I have noticed for approx. the last two weeks my 5 year old male German Shepherd has been having a difficult time getting up from a laying down position. At first I just thought it was the flooring in the kitchen, but now it is also on carpeting. I took him to the vet on Friday, where they did some blood work, everything came back normal. They also did a complete physical, checking his legs, hips and back. Everything checking out fine, he did not have any pain at all. He did prescribe an anti-inflammatory to see if that would help, he is still having problems The vet had mentioned degenerative myelopathy as a possibility and they would like us to see a neurologist. I am heart broken and just looking suggestions/advice.

Thanks-
I don't know, but if this were one of my dogs I'd want my vet to take x-rays before jumping to conclusions that it might be DM, etc. or having to spend a lot of money on a specialist.
 
#16 ·
DM (CDRM) and stemcell therapy

Hi all, We have a 9.5yr old GSD with genetically tested DM AND unfortunately arthritis. We have just touched base with a stemcell lab and are going to try a stem cell activator. It may or not may not work for the DM, but if you dont try who knows. I will try and keep you posted. The good thing about this is that it should (hopefully) also help the arthritis, and no anaesthetic.
 
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