Canine degenerative myelopathy is a chronic disease of the spinal cord. It occurs primarily in older animals between the ages of eight and ten. Occasionally, however, degenerative myelopathy can develop earlier, but this is very rare.
In the following, we will explain the causes of the neurological disease, the symptoms that make it noticeable and whether degenerative myelopathy in dogs can be treated.
The exact causes of developing degenerative myelopathy have long been unclear. However, it is now known that the neurological disease is genetic in at least some of the dog breeds which are more commonly affected.
Degenerative myelopathy occurs primarily in large dog breeds and is most common in the German shepherd. In principle, however, smaller dogs can also contract it.
Degenerative myelopathy is a chronic disease that is progressive, although affected animals can occasionally experience mild flare-ups.
When a dog develops degenerative myelopathy, there is a process of degeneration of the myelin in the spinal cord in the lumbar and thoracic spine. This is initially noticeable through problems regarding the dog’s reflexes and ataxia (impaired movement coordination) of the hind legs of the animal. Affected dogs tend to stumble or even fall over when they want to turn around, for example.
As the degenerative myelopathy progresses, the hind legs become paralysed. However, the neurological disease does not cause pain in dogs.
If you notice signs of loss of function in the rear legs of your dog, it goes without saying that you should take your four-legged friend to the vet as soon as possible.
However, the diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy is still difficult. Imaging procedures such as CT and MRI can help to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms, such as tumours or a herniated disc in dogs.
However, it is still unclear at what point in time the visible changes in the spinal cord occur and whether this is the case in all dogs with degenerative myelopathy.
During a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) analysis, slightly elevated protein levels can sometimes be detected. However, these are not reliable proof of degenerative myelopathy in dogs either.
This also applies to the results of a muscle biopsy. With this procedure, the changes in the muscle structure of the hind legs associated with degenerative myelopathy can be demonstrated. However, such changes can also be caused by other diseases of the spinal cord and spine.
An absolutely unequivocal diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy in dogs is therefore only possible with a post-mortem autopsy.
Unfortunately, degenerative myelopathy cannot be cured. The main goal of the treatment measures is to keep the dog mobile for as long as possible.
In addition to the right amount of exercise, physiotherapy is of crucial importance in this context. It can help to maintain the muscles and delay the occurrence of coordination disorders and signs of paralysis.
If the disease flares up acutely, affected dogs can be given prednisolone if necessary. The administration of special vitamin preparations, as is occasionally recommended, has proven to be ineffective in practice. Since degenerative myelopathy is not painful, pain therapy is not required as part of the treatment.
Unfortunately, since degenerative myelopathy is apparently caused by a gene mutation, it is not possible to prevent the disease. A genetic test developed for this purpose has been available for some time to check whether the corresponding mutation is present in the SOD1 gene.
On the one hand, the test can be used as an additional tool for a diagnosis and, on the other hand, it can help to determine the risk of developing degenerative myelopathy in dogs of breeds that are frequently affected.
However, a positive test result does not necessarily mean that the disease will actually occur. It is therefore quite possible that despite the potentially increased risk, the tested dog will not develop degenerative myelopathy.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for dogs with degenerative myelopathy is not good. As a rule, the life expectancy of affected four-legged friends after the onset and diagnosis of the disease is only about two or three years. In many cases, due to the progression of the disease, they are even euthanized within 12 months to put them out of their suffering.
As you can see, degenerative myelopathy is a serious and devastating canine disease. If your dog is affected by it, it is only too understandable if you are initially shocked. Irrespective of this, you should of course do your best to support your four-legged friend in everyday life and to make their life as pleasant as possible.
In addition to regular physiotherapy, the purchase of an orthopaedic dog bed and well-fitting dog shoes and, as the degenerative myelopathy progresses, a carrying aid can also be useful in this context to support your dog.
