Degenerative Myelopathy:
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord of dogs. Dogs that have inherited two defective copies will experience a breakdown of the cells responsible for sending and receiving signals from the brain, resulting in neurological symptoms.The disease often begins with an unsteady gait, and the dog may wobble when they attempt to walk. As the disease progresses, the dog's hind legs will weaken and eventually the dog will be unable to walk at all. Degenerative Myelopathy moves up the body, so if the disease is allowed to progress, the dog will eventually be unable to hold his bladder and will lose normal function in its front legs. Fortunately, there is no direct pain associated with Degenerative Myelopathy. The onset of Degenerative Myelopathy generally occurs later in life starting at an average age of about 10 years.
Symptoms include:
Hind leg weakness and eventual inability to walk. As disease progresses dog will lack bladder control and will lose normal function in front limbs.
**Disease itself is NOT painful, and is onset around 10 years of age +
**Disease CANNOT be diagnosed without a necropsy - therefore only after the death of the dog. There are many things that mimic DM that are not DM.
Symptoms include:
Hind leg weakness and eventual inability to walk. As disease progresses dog will lack bladder control and will lose normal function in front limbs.
**Disease itself is NOT painful, and is onset around 10 years of age +
**Disease CANNOT be diagnosed without a necropsy - therefore only after the death of the dog. There are many things that mimic DM that are not DM.
There currently is NO test for DM.
There is only a test for the SOD1 gene. Since DM is a poly-genetic disease, the SOD1 gene is only a single gene tied into the genetic puzzle of DM. Do not fall for the idea that a clear SOD1 test means anything. It doesn't. All it does is make people sound like they're doing good and fooling buyers into believing incorrect science. Don't be one of those people, research for yourself. My dogs might test for the SOD1 gene. If that's a deal breakers, that's okay. I'm more concerned about vWD1, EIC and temperament testing.
Let me repeat...
DM is a POLY-GENETIC disease. Do your research.
Here are some important links:
PWCCA breed club
23 and Me Has Gone to the Dogs
Denegerative Myelopathy: An Unpopular View
