Degenerative myelopathy is a degenerative disease of the spinal cord that begins in older adulthood and progresses slowly until dogs are no longer able to walk unassisted. The cause of the disease is ... Q: Gretchen, our 9-year-old German shepherd, recently developed hind leg weakness.

Understanding the Context

Her veterinarian recommends testing for degenerative myelopathy. Many years ago, another of our shepherds had ... Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a neurodegenerative disease in dogs with similarities to ALS in humans. Scientists have discovered a modifier gene that affects the risk of developing DM in ...

Key Insights

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. - A retired St. Francis police K-9 has been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, a terminal nerve disease. Now, there is a call to help "Officer Bane." The incurable disease, St.

Final Thoughts

What is degenerative myelopathy? Degenerative myelopathy (DM), also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) or German shepherd degenerative myelopathy, is a disease that affects the spinal cord, resulting in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a disease that affects the spinal cord in dogs, causing progressive muscle weakness and loss of coordination. It acts similarly to Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), in humans. Canine degenerative myelopathy (also known as DM) is a spinal cord disease. DM can result in gradual paralysis in dogs, starting in the hind legs.

This guide walk through degenerative myelopathy in dogs – what treatments options can (and can’t) help, what life expectancy typically looks like, and how to recognize when euthanasia may be the kindest choice. Degenerative Myelopathy is a debilitating disease that causes gradual paralysis in many dog breeds. It is caused by a degeneration of the spinal cord that onsets typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It presents first with the loss of coordination of the hind legs.