Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a rare inherited neurological disease of dogs. It can affect your dogs, regardless of the breed type. However, it’s most often seen in purebred dogs. Researchers are continuing to investigate this disease. Little is known about DM, including its cause but without a cure. Because of this lack of knowledge, many owners of dogs having DM have difficulty finding a piece of information about how to best care for their dogs. The purpose of this article is to provide you with such information allowing you to take an active role in caring for your canine companion as he lives with this disease.
So, if you want to know canine degenerative myelopathy when to euthanize? In this post, you will learn about canine degenerative myelopathy when euthanizing dogs and neurological techniques that help your dog deal with canine Degenerative myelopathy so that he gains more stability, more spark, and energy, and lives the longest best life possible.
Contents
What is known about Degenerative Myelopathy?
Degenerative myelopathy is a complex, slowly progressive disease of the spinal cord. Age of onset is typically reported as being anywhere between 5 and 14 years of age. Males and females are affected equally. DM is most commonly seen in German shepherds, but it can affect other breeds, especially large breed dogs including boxers, and Bernese mountain dogs. Smaller breeds such as corgis can also be given the diagnosis. Regardless of your dog’s breed or the symptoms, you are seeing. It’s vital that your dog is examined by your veterinarian to obtain a correct diagnosis. But the question is, what types of tests or measures do veterinarians suspect a dog’s DM symptoms? The first thing that veterinarians do is a complete physical exam looking specifically at the orthopedic and neurologic systems. Diagnostic would include blood work, x-rays, potentially ultrasounds, CSF taps, and even MRIs.
A deeper study on Degenerative Myelopathy
So, let’s take a closer look at this fatal disease. When a dog is affected by degenerative myelopathy, the spinal cord slowly degrades. It is the myelin or the insulation of the nerves that is required for them to work properly and the nerve themselves called axons are slowly destroyed. Since the nerves are carrying the signals from the brain to the muscles, this degeneration affects the dog’s ability to voluntarily contract his muscles resulting in the observed weakness beginning in the hind limbs.
Early signs of Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs
The first sign typically seen is that the dog is less stable in its hind legs. He may have greater difficulty in rising from sitting to standing. He may seem less coordinated. His back toenails may become worn down from his hind feet dragging when walking; often, the first thing that owners notice is hearing their dog’s toenails scraping on the cement going out on a walk as the disease progresses the dog becomes weaker. He loses awareness of where his hind limbs are. He may knuckle over on his back feet, and his coordination will worsen. His back legs may even cross while walking, getting tangled up.
Final stages of Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs
In the final stages of this disease, the weakness worsens to the point that the dog is unable to walk using his hind limbs or even rise up to standing without assistance. This stage typically occurs three to six months following the initial diagnosis. Fecal and urinary incontinence may occur, and then the front limbs get weak as well. Following this, respiratory failure often occurs.
Euthanizing as a treatment solution
However, most dogs are euthanized for quality of life reasons before the stage of disability is reached. The goals of treatment for DM are to maximize the dog’s function and quality of life during each stage of the disease and hopefully slow the progression if possible. This may be one of the reasons why your veterinarian may recommend that your dog be seen for physical rehabilitation therapy but before we discuss how rehabilitation might be able to help, let’s discuss some things that you can do in your own home to help keep your dog safe and more comfortable.
For a dog with DM, the home could be a challenging environment; however, there are many things you can do to increase your dog’s safety and comfort. It has difficulty in maintaining his balance when walking, and your floor is hardwood linoleum or tile put down area rugs in the places where he normally walks rugs with a rubber backing are best for this use, but you can use other rugs; just make sure you tack them down with double-sided carpet tape or rubber mesh to hold them in a place. Another option for dealing with slippery surfaces is to teach your dog to wear booties. Be sure to get booties that will stay in place on your dog’s feet and have rubber soles for gripping; some Moody’s are made to protect a dog’s feet during sports activities for improving traction and also because of decreased coordination.
Should you walk a dog with Degenerative Myelopathy
Your dog may have trouble negotiating changes in elevation. Such stairs furniture or uneven surfaces in the yard use a baby gate or an X pen to block off your dog’s access to these places or only allow him into these areas when someone is there to supervise her and to get your dog and out of the car safely.
You can train your dog to use a ramp or a small set of steps; always stay close by and keep a hand on your dog when he is walking up or down and consider having him wear a harness in situations like this because it creates a handle on your dog for you to hold and it is much safer for you to hold, and it is much safer than holding him by collar likewise you can use a ramp or a small set of steps to get your dog on and off the bed or a couch.
In addition to the front harnesses just shown, rear harnesses and slings can help weaker dogs up into a standing position or give extra support when walking. Of course, it is still important that your dog get good nutrition and adequate water.
Sometimes dogs with balance issues, can’t reach down to the floor to get their food and water. If that is the case with your dog, provide him with a raised feeder and water dish. And for dogs who no longer stand for an extended period of time to eat. Place the food and water bowl on the rubber mesh pads on the floor and remember every extra pound of body weight makes it even more difficult for your dog to move so be sure to keep his outer ideal body weight.
What to do at the final stages of degenerative myelopathy in dogs?
In the final stages of DM, good nursing nutrition food with good nursing care is the key. If your dog is unable to get itself up or unable to change their position every four to six hours or so, then you must have helped them to do so to help prevent pressure sores. If your dog can not hold the position because of trunk weakness, you can use bolsters or rolled-up blankets to help support them.
1. Assisting your Dog
As mentioned previously, it may also become necessary to assist your dog with their toileting needs. This may mean as little as providing some support with your hands or harness so he can keep himself balanced while squatting or if incontinence of urine or faces develops, you may need to ask your veterinarian to teach you how to help express his bladder and be sure to keep your dog’s skin clean and dry if accidents occur products that can be helpful in this assistance are absorptive training pads, disposable dog diapers, repel anointments and waterless shampoos.
Regardless of the stage of this disease, it is still unimportant that you and your dog have fun together, so you might not be able to throw the balls for him to chase. You can try throwing lob tosses directly to him or rolling the ball to him on the ground, or if he is no longer able to go for longer walks assisted, you can try using one of those rear harnesses. Typically with DM, the dog’s cognition is not affected, so it is important to keep him mentally engaged and happy. Finally, there may be exercises you can do in the home to help maximize your dog’s physical and mental functions. Your dog’s veterinarian or your physical rehab center can teach you exercises that you can do that are appropriate for your dog.
2. What is the Treatment?
As mentioned above, there is currently no cure for DM, but there are still ways to help maximize your dog’s strength and possibly slow the progression of the disease.
A study recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine by Cat Men demonstrated that physical rehabilitation therapy helps to maintain the functional abilities of dogs with DM for a longer period of time and therefore allows them to live longer than dogs with DM who did not follow a controlled exercise program—certainly keeping your dog as strong and fit as possible as you can only help.
However, it is important that the exercise program be designed specifically for your dog’s needs; especially when working with dogs with neurological deficits, it can be easy to inadvertently cause injury. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about what types of exercises are safe for your dogs or have your veterinarian refer you to the physical rehabilitation therapy center.
3. How to Plan for a Dog with a DM?
This fatal life disease is degenerating, meaning that the process starts in one spot and then spreads. Canine degenerative myelopathy DM is a currently incurable disease that progressively worsens over time. It affects a dog’s spinal cord similar to ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in humans. This condition usually hits older dogs anywhere from seven years of age and older.
There is a genetic test available to see if a dog carries the SODI mutation, which causes DM. The test will determine if a dog is a carrier, has normal copies of the genes, or can help determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy in the future.
It is important to note that this test is useful; it is not able to determine if a dog has DM. There are no medical tests just for this disease, which means testing will be a matter of exclusion. If tests are negative for other medical conditions that cause similar symptoms, then more than likely, the dog has degenerative myelopathy.
Typical diagnosis tests include blood work, spinal x-ray, MRI, EMG (electromyogram), CT, myelogram, and possibly a spinal tap. These tests are given to rule out other medical problems, such as degenerative disc disease, a tumor on the spinal code, etc.
4. Symptoms of degenerative myelopathy include:
i. Early-stage:
weakness in hind legs, Nails worn down, Dragging of feet while walking (called knuckling), scuffing of hind feet, trouble with coordination, wobbling gait, slow reflexes, atrophy of thigh muscles and/ or tail, tremors in the hind legs,
ii. Late-stage:
Incontinence (urinary and fecal), stress and anxiety, pressure sores, unable to stand up/lie down, pneumonia, muscle weakness, constipation, front leg weakness, infections (could develop sepsis).
How to care for a dog with generic myelopathy
There are a number of treatment techniques and modalities that may be used if your dog is seen for rehabilitation therapy, depending on his function status.
Passive exercises such as range of motion massage or electrical stimulation may be used, and they might be included in the home exercise program for you to follow outside of the clinic.
Aquatic therapy can be especially helpful in maintaining the muscles used during walking. However, access to the underwater treadmill is not always possible. Your veterinarian may be able to suggest other similar activities which may be appropriate for your dog.
1. Exercises for a dog with DM
Depending on your dog’s level of function and needs, you can perform various exercises. Exercises will often focus on maintaining or improving strength, balance body awareness, and coordination. Finally, a consultation with a skilled therapist at a physical rehabilitation therapy facility will adjust your dog’s treatment program. It will help you adjust your home life as your dog’s needs change.
It can be frightening to receive a diagnosis like degenerative myelopathy. But it does not necessarily mean that you and your dog can not still enjoy your time together. As is true with any disease you will likely need to make some adjustments to deal with DM. With your help, your dog can still have a very meaningful life.
2. Canine Degenerative Myelopathy Treatment
Treatment depends on whether the pain is present. If pain presents, give pain medication, anti-inflammatories, or alternative medicine like acupuncture and physical therapy.
The main goal of treatment is to keep the dog as comfortable as possible. While helping the dog maintain quality of life. Pet parents can expect that their fur baby will become completely dependent on them. Needing continuous supervision, like help to stand and walk, etc. A moderate form of exercise keeps muscle atrophy at bay as long as possible.
DM is a serious disease in dogs. Pet parents can help their canine companion with ROM exercises that increases the motion of joints, dependence, and decrease pain. These can also help delay the disease’s progression and keep the dog’s muscles stronger for a longer period. Additional treatments may include swimming, the use of an underwater treadmill, or other water exercises and activities.
FAQ
What are the final stages of degenerative myelopathy in dogs?
The weakness worsens to the point that the dog cannot walk using his hind limbs or even rise up to standing without assistance. This stage typically occurs three to six months following the initial diagnosis. Fecal and urinary incontinence may occur, and then the front limbs get weak as well.
When should you euthanize your old dog?
Suppose your dog is experiencing chronic pain that is not controlled by meditation and has diarrhea and frequent vomiting. In that case, you should consider euthanasia but make sure to discuss with your veterinarian all the symptoms to make the right decision.
What can I give my dog for degenerative myelopathy?
Still, there is no proper treatment identified for degenerative myelopathy at present but a proper nutritious diet and exercise like swimming and walking are recommended for DM treatment.
Should you euthanize a dog with bad arthritis?
Yes, you should because pain can be extremely severe at the final stage. Dogs who can’t walk anymore are usually recommended to be euthanized because lack of mobility leads to death.