Degenerative Myelopathy Disease in Dogs

I think my 12year old German shepherd dog has a Degenerative Myelopathy Disease. Since I noticed that he is having difficulty standing. He drags his hind feet while walking and he's wobly when walking. He has been a member of our family for 12 years and it will be hard losing him. He's also having urinary and fecal continence. But he eats well. we will be bringing him to the Vet for testing.

I found valuable information about Degenerative Myelopathy Disease on caninegeneticdiseases.net, and it is sad that it is an incurable disease. All we can do now is take care of our dog until his last breath.

Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) or chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy is a progressive disease that affects the dogs spinal cord that is comparable to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ussually it affects older dogs. The onset is typically begins at the age of 8 years old.

It will begin with the loss of coordination (ataxia) of the dogs hind limbs. You will notice that dog will wobble while walking and standing up. The dog will also drag the hind feet. It will initially affect one hind limb and then the other. As the disease advances, the dog's limbs will become weak and the dog begins will have difficulty standing until the dog will not able to walk. It can take from 6 months to 12 months before the dog turn paraplegic. The dog will also experience loss of urinary and fecal continence. Degenerative Myelopathy Disease is not a painful disease.

Degenerative Myelopathy Disease offenly affects German shepherd dog, boxer, and Pembroke Welsh corgi.

Here is a video on How to Care for a Dog with Degenerative Myelopathy