Degenerative myelopathy in canines is similar to multiple sclerosis in humans. It is a disease that is common in older dogs, and affects muscle coordination and results in neurological symptoms.
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Affected Dogs
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Degenerative myelopathy is common in dogs ages 5 years and older. It can occur in any breed but is especially common in the German shepherd breed.
Symptoms
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Symptoms are slow to develop and not always obvious until they are more advanced. Symptoms can range from lack of coordination in the hind legs to weakness in the hind end. Muscle coordination affected can be unilateral and affect only one side or can affect both sides of the dog.
Advanced Symptoms
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Apart from losing muscle coordination in the hind legs, other symptoms of canine neurological disorders might appear in the form of a head tilt, loss of balance, drooping of the eyes or mouth, loss of vision, and episodes of circling then falling.
Prognosis
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After several months to a year after onset of degenerative myelopathy, the dog eventually will lose the ability to walk.
Diagnosis
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Veterinarians rule out all other potential diseases before citing degenerative myelopathy. Usually, a spinal tap and X-rays are done.
Treatment and Cure
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There is no treatment that will stop the progression of degenerative myelopathy, and it usually lasts six months to one year. According to Suite 101, veterinarians are hopeful that eventually modifying drugs will be developed to stop the rapid progression of degenerative myelopathy in dogs.
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