Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs can progress quickly, especially when it reaches its final stages. Signs of late-stage DM appear to happen overnight or within a few days.
How quickly does degenerative myelopathy progress? Unfortunately DM tends to progress very quickly. Most dogs that have been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy will become paraplegic within six months to a year.
Degenerative Myelopathy has a slow, insidious onset with a slow progression of weakness. It is not uncommon for the signs to progress slowly, plateau, and then start to progress again.
DM is an inherited neurologic disease typically affecting dogs around eight years of age or older. It causes gradual muscle wasting and incoordination in the hind limbs, and then progresses to an inability to walk after six to twelve months.
Degenerative myelopathy symptoms usually progress over months and, in some cases, several years. DM typically doesn't affect dogs mentally; they remain alert throughout the disease's progression.
One of the first breeds in which the disease was diagnosed was the German Shepherd, so DM has also been called German Shepherd dog degenerative myelopathy. In the early stages, DM can be misdiagnosed as hip dysplasia, discospondylitis, a spinal tumor or injury, fibrocartilaginous embolism, or myasthenia gravis.
14 Disorders that often mimic and coexist with DM include degenerative lumbosacral syndrome, intervertebral disc disease, spinal cord neoplasia and degenerative joint diseases such as hip dysplasia or cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs can progress quickly, especially when it reaches its final stages. Signs of late-stage DM appear to happen overnight or within a few days.
Yes, dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy should stay as active as possible. Keeping a DM dog active can actually help slow down the progression of the disease. Physical therapy and regular structured exercises, including walking, can help dogs with DM maintain muscle strength and minimize their risk of muscle atrophy.
Sadly, most dogs with degenerative myelopathy eventually lose control of their legs, bladder and bowels completely, and need to be put to sleep. The average life expectancy of a dog with degenerative myelopathy is 1-2 years from diagnosis.
Sadly, the prognosis for dogs with DM is poor. Without any intervention, most dogs will become paralyzed in 6-12 months, and the disease will continue to progress. When the front limbs start showing symptoms, end of life care and humane euthanasia are strongly recommended.
Sudden onset of collapse can be secondary to a variety of disorders including spinal cord injury, orthopedic disease, or systemic illness. This sudden hind-leg weakness may be a sign of a disease that requires prompt attention from your regular veterinarian. Or even a trip to the emergency room.
The clinical signs of mid-stage degenerative myelopathy include: Loss of tail movement. Jerky movement in the hind limbs when trying to walk.
Symptoms of Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs
A dog with DM will initially become weak in the hind limbs and have a hard time getting up. They will lose feeling in the hind limbs, which results in dragging of the paws, scuffing of the toenails and/or tops of the paws, and abnormal paw placement.
What causes degenerative myelopathy? Degenerative myelopathy is associated with a genetic abnormality in dogs. The most common form is due to a genetic mutation in a gene coding for superoxide dismutase, a protein responsible for destroying free radicals in the body.
In general, DM is not a painful disease. However, having a weak hind end can put stress on other areas of a dog's body — such as the neck, shoulders and front limbs — and cause pain. DM typically comes on very gradually, so you may not see the very early onset.
It is often said that DM can be identified by a lack of pain, but this is very misleading. DM may be painless, but most dogs with severe chronic pain will display no signs. Therefore, I have also seen cases of severe hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament rupture or arthritis get mistaken for DM.
There is no effective treatment for degenerative myelopathy at present. Treatment of other concurrent problems such as arthritis or hip dysplasia may provide some relief from pain or discomfort. It is important to avoid obesity, so diet and exercise (walking and swimming) are vital components of treatment.
Typically, dogs remain alert and energetic with a full appetite, no matter how far along the progression of the disease. Degenerative Myelopathy is diagnosed through ruling out other diagnoses.
Potential causes include inner/middle ear infections, intoxication, strokes, tumors, infectious or inflammatory diseases (meningitis), idiopathic vestibular disease (also called “old dog” vestibular syndrome), or other less likely causes.
For cervical myelopathy, any positive signs or symptoms warrant an immediate referral as this condition often requires urgent surgical decompression to prevent further neurological deterioration.
Signs of Neurological Issues in Pets
Unusual or jerky eye movements. Abnormal gait, unexplained weakness or paralysis. Foot dragging or knuckling of paws. Pain along the spine, neck or back.
A multifaceted treatment protocol can slow, halt or even temporarily reverse the progression of degenerative myelopathy. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord. It's found mainly in large breed dogs, with the onset of symptoms typically occurring between seven and 14 years of age.
At Mayo Clinic, patients with suspected cervical myelopathy have MRI to check for spinal cord compression. If the MRI and clinical findings correlate and result in a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy, surgery is typically recommended.