[kneely]

My heart is breaking to tell all of my big guy's fan club
that he has been diagnosed with DM. I'm going to do all I
can to make his quality of life as good as possible. Please
keep the brave, brave boy in your thoughts. It is never fair
for a dog to have an awful disease but poor Bravo deserves
better than this. He's already been through far more than
any living creature should be forced to go through...and now
this. Why can't he catch a break????? He's such a good boy.
Kerry

 

[KristieM]

Kerry,

I have had 2 DM dogs and while it is a hideous disease the *good* thing about DM is that is isn't painful for the dog -- Painful for the owner -- YES! Geno and Alex were on Dr. Clemmons program and both walked until the day they went back to God -- much longer than the vets thought they would.

I'm so sorry that Bravo has to go though this -- but he has you and that's all that matters to him -- I have a cart he can have if it will work for him. Just let me know and I will send it to you.

Keep up the good fight, Bravo!
Kristie

 

[chjhu]

Kerry, Jesse also has DM, but I have not seen much deterioration during the past year. She also has hip dysplasia and arthritis, but she is walking around better than when she came to me (probably because of the anti-inflammatories). The course of DM can be very slow in older dogs, apparently. She can still go up and down the stairs - in her wobbly way, but she is working on it. I did not see much influence of the Florida regimen, so I stopped giving it to her. Jesse is probably 2-3 yrs older than Bravo. You have to stay positive about it - for Bravo.
Please give hugs and kisses to Bravo from the crew here.

 

[Rose Hutch]

Oh Kerry,

I was so praying it was NOT DM, but I'm with Kristie on this, we both belonged to Marjorie and Vicki's DM board, we've been there, done that, and been through the pain. My first Gretchen had DM and so did Princess, it was a tough road to follow, but follow it I did, to the end. If you have any guestions, or just need to vent, pm us, we'll help you through this.

Give our big, brave Bravo lots of hugs and kisses from us, we're here for him whenever he or you need us.

 

[Barb E]

[ QUOTE ]
My heart is breaking to tell all of my big guy's fan club
that he has been diagnosed with DM. I'm going to do all I
can to make his quality of life as good as possible. Please
keep the brave, brave boy in your thoughts. It is never fair
for a dog to have an awful disease but poor Bravo deserves
better than this. He's already been through far more than
any living creature should be forced to go through...and now
this. Why can't he catch a break????? He's such a good boy.
Kerry

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm sorry to hear this about Bravo /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/02_frown.gif

 

[agilegsds]

I'm sorry to hear this Kerry. Please keep us posted on how he's doing. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/23_hug.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/23_hug.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/23_hug.gif

 

[vjt555]

He gets lots of prayers and good thoughts from me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/23_hug.gif

 

[dogbyte]

My prayers with you and Bravo. I'm also owned by a DM dog, Chance who is now 10 1/2 years old, and was diagnosed at the tender age of 4 years. Extra hugs for the old guy from me. CH

 

[sheplover04]

I have followed Bravo's story and hate to hear he is having more problems; he certainly deserves a break of some sort. I will pray for him. But, and I hate to sound stupid, but what is DM?

 

[KristieM]

Here is a site with information on Degenerative Myelopathy http://mzjf.com/course.html
Kristie

 

[mrslkk]

hugs

 

[kshort]

This is not the news any of us wanted to hear. He has been through so much, it just doesn't seem fair. But he's also has a will to live that has been incredible. We can only pray that it will get him through this also. Give the big guy a hug for me. I'm sorry Kerry...

 

[GSDLoverII]

Hugs and Prayers for you and Bravo. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/25_angel.gif

 

[AniasGSDs]

Big sloppy kisses from Gretchen and Rorie for their K9 Hero!!!!!

 

[luvmysheps]

Kerry,

I am so sorry to hear about Bravo. Keeping him in my prayers and wishing all the best for both of you. (((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))

 

[kneely]

Thank you to everyone for all of your kind and encouraging
words. Bravo seems to be holding his own and is not getting
any worse yet. I'll try to get new photos of him this weekend
for his fan club.
Kerry

 

[Rose Hutch]

I am so happy to hear our Bravo is holding his own Kerry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/01_smile.gif. We keep you both in our prayers and we will keep praying he holds his own for a lot longer. Hugs to you both, we love you Bravo /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/01_smile.gif.

 

[KristieM]

Way to go, Bravo! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/18_thumb.gif

 

[GSDLoverII]

Yay Bravo /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/18_thumb.gif

 

[MatsiRed]

[ QUOTE ]
Bravo seems to be holding his own and is not getting
any worse yet. I'll try to get new photos of him this weekend for his fan club.
Kerry

[/ QUOTE ]

I for one will be looking forward to this Kerry. I love seeing pictures of Chewbacca's twin!

I've never had any first-hand experience with a dog with DM, but I'm always glad to hear people reinforce how there is no pain associated with it. I'm glad to hear that Bravo's illness has not progressed any further.