Another Name: Myelopathy
Disease Description: Degenerative myelopathy is a devastating disease causing progressive paralysis in a large number of dog breeds
Inherit Mode: -
Disease Symptom: It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. The affected dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag the feet. This can first occur in one hind limb and then affect the other. As the disease progresses, the limbs become weak and the dog begins to buckle and has difficulty standing. The weakness gets progressively worse until the dog is unable to walk. The clinical course can range from 6 months to 1 year before dogs become paraplegic. If signs progress for a longer period of time, loss of urinary and fecal continence may occur and eventually weakness will develop in the front limbs. Another key feature of DM is that it is not a painful disease.
Disease Cause: Recent research has identified a mutation in a gene that confers a greatly increased risk of developing the disease.
Disease Diagnose: Degenerative myelopathy is a diagnosis of elimination. We look for other causes of the weakness using diagnostic tests like myelography and MRI. When we have ruled them out, we end up with a presumptive diagnosis of DM. The only way to confirm the diagnosis is to examine the spinal cord under the microscope when a necropsy (autopsy) is performed. There are degenerative changes in the spinal cord characteristic for DM and not typical for some other spinal cord disease.
Treat Method: There are no treatments that have been clearly shown to stop or slow progression of DM. Although there are a number of approaches that have been tried or recommended on the internet, no scientific evidence exists that they work.
Breeder Advice: The quality of life of an affected dog can be improved by measures such as good nursing care, physical rehabilitation, pressure sore prevention, monitoring for urinary infections, and ways to increase mobility through use of harnesses and carts.
Disease Description Source: Link
Disease Name | Other Name | Mode of inheritance | Link ID | Possible OMIM ID | Gene |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Degenerative myelopathy | Canine degenerative myelopathy | Autosomal Recessive | SOD1 SP110 |
iDog Breed Number | Breed Name | Personality | Height | Weight | Breed Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CB48 | German Boxer | Fun-loving, bright, active and loyal | 58.4-63.5 cm (male), 54.6-59.7 cm (female) | 29.5-36.3 kg (male), females are about 6.8 kg less than male | Germany |
CB70 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | Bright, sensitive, perceptive; affectionate and family-oriented | 58.4-66 cm (male), 53.3-61 cm (female) | 29.5-36.3 kg (male), 24.9-31.8 kg (female) | United States |
CB79 | Collie | Graceful, devoted, and proud | 61-66 cm (male), 55.9-61 cm (female) | 27.2-34 kg (male), 22.7-29.5 kg (female) | |
CB110 | German Shepherd Dog | Smart, confident, courageous, and steady; a true dog lover's dog | 61-66 cm (male), 55.9-61 cm (female) | 29.5-40.8 kg (male), 22.7-31.8 kg (female) | Germany |
CB128 | Ibizan Hound | Even-tempered and polite; a bit aloof, but a sweet-natured, family-oriented housemate | 59.7-69.9 cm (male), 57.2-66 cm (female) | 22.7 kg (male), 20.4 kg (female) | Spain |
CB179 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Smart and alert, affectionate but not pushy, bold but kindly. | 25.4-30.5 cm | up to 13.6 kg (male), up to 12.7 kg (female) | United Kingdom(Wales) |
CB204 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | Dignified, even tempered; affectionate toward loved ones, reserved with strangers | 63.5-68.6 cm (male), 61-66 cm (female) | 38.6 kg (male), 31.8 kg (female) | Zimbabwe |
CB220 | Siberian Husky | Friendly, gentle, dignified; alert, but not aggressive. | 53.3-61 cm (male), 50.8-55.9 cm (female) | 20-27.2 kg (male), 15.9-23.1 kg (female) | Russia |
2021 |
Mandrioli,L.,Gandini,G.,Gentilini,F.,Chiocchetti,R.,Turba,M.E.,Avallone,G.,Pellegrino,V.,Menchetti,M.,Kobatake,Y.,Kamishina,H.,Cantile,C.: :
Degenerative Myelopathy in Hovawart Dogs: Molecular Characterization, Pathological Features and Accumulation of Mutant Superoxide Dismutase 1 Protein. J Comp Pathol 182:37-42, 2021. Pubmed reference: 33494906 . DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.11.006 . |
2020 |
Draper,A.C.E.,Wilson,Z.,Maile,C.,Faccenda,D.,Campanella,M.,Piercy,R.J.: :
Species-specific consequences of an E40K missense mutation in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). FASEB J 34:458-473, 2020. Pubmed reference: 31914665 . DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901455R . |
2020 |
Kimura,S.,Kamatari,Y.O.,Kuwahara,Y.,Hara,H.,Yamato,O.,Maeda,S.,Kamishina,H.,Honda,R.: :
Canine SOD1 harboring E40K or T18S mutations promotes protein aggregation without reducing the global structural stability. PeerJ 8:e9512, 2020. Pubmed reference: 32742795 . DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9512 . |
2020 |
Santos,C.R.O.,Gouveia,J.J.S.,Gouveia,G.V.,Bezerra,F.C.M.,Nogueira,J.F.,BaraúnaJúnior,D.: :
Molecular screening for the mutation associated with canine degenerative myelopathy (SOD1:c.118G > A) in German Shepherd dogs in Brazil. PLoS One 15:e0242347, 2020. Pubmed reference: 33196688 . DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242347 . |
2020 |
Story,B.D.,Miller,M.E.,Bradbury,A.M.,Million,E.D.,Duan,D.,Taghian,T.,Faissler,D.,Fernau,D.,Beecy,S.J.,Gray-Edwards,H.L.: :
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2017 |
Kobatake,Y.,Sakai,H.,Tsukui,T.,Yamato,O.,Kohyama,M.,Sasaki,J.,Kato,S.,Urushitani,M.,Maeda,S.,Kamishina,H.: :
Localization of a mutant SOD1 protein in E40K-heterozygous dogs: Implications for non-cell-autonomous pathogenesis of degenerative myelopathy. J Neurol Sci 372:369-378, 2017. Pubmed reference: 27838005 . DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.10.034 . |
2017 |
Kohyama,M.,Kitagawa,M.,Kamishina,H.,Kobatake,Y.,Yabuki,A.,Sawa,M.,Kakita,S.,Yamato,O.: :
Degenerative myelopathy in the Collie breed: a retrospective immunohistochemical analysis of superoxide dismutase 1 in an affected Rough Collie, and a molecular epidemiological survey of the SOD1: c.118G>A mutation in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 79:375-379, 2017. Pubmed reference: 27941298 . DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0391 . |
2017 |
Turba,M.E.,Loechel,R.,Rombolà,E.,Gandini,G.,Gentilini,F.: :
Evidence of a genomic insertion in intron 2 of SOD1 causing allelic drop-out during routine diagnostic testing for canine degenerative myelopathy. Anim Genet 48:365-368, 2017. Pubmed reference: 27917507 . DOI: 10.1111/age.12525 . |
2016 |
Ivansson,E.L.,Megquier,K.,Kozyrev,S.V.,Murén,E.,Körberg,I.B.,Swofford,R.,Koltookian,M.,Tonomura,N.,Zeng,R.,Kolicheski,A.L.,Hansen,L.,Katz,M.L.,Johnson,G.C.,Johnson,G.S.,Coates,J.R.,Lindblad-Toh,K.: :
Variants within the SP110 nuclear body protein modify risk of canine degenerative myelopathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:E3091-100, 2016. Pubmed reference: 27185954 . DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1600084113 . |
2016 |
Mizukami,K.,Yabuki,A.,Kohyama,M.,Kushida,K.,Rahman,M.M.,Uddin,M.M.,Sawa,M.,Yamato,O.: :
Molecular prevalence of multiple genetic disorders in Border collies in Japan and recommendations for genetic counselling. Vet J 214:21-3, 2016. Pubmed reference: 27387721 . DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.05.004 . |
2016 |
Nardone,R.,Höller,Y.,Taylor,A.C.,Lochner,P.,Tezzon,F.,Golaszewski,S.,Brigo,F.,Trinka,E.: :
Canine degenerative myelopathy: a model of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Zoology (Jena) 119:64-73, 2016. Pubmed reference: 26432396 . DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2015.09.003 . |
2014 |
Holder,A.L.,Price,J.A.,Adams,J.P.,Volk,H.A.,Catchpole,B.: :
A retrospective study of the prevalence of the canine degenerative myelopathy associated superoxide dismutase 1 mutation (SOD1:c.118G > A) in a referral population of German Shepherd dogs from the UK. Canine Genet Epidemiol 1:10, 2014. Pubmed reference: 26401327 . DOI: 10.1186/2052-6687-1-10 . |
2014 |
Lovett,M.C.,Coates,J.R.,Shu,Y.,Oglesbee,M.J.,Fenner,W.,Moore,S.A.: :
Quantitative assessment of hsp70, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal cord of dogs with E40K SOD1-associated degenerative myelopathy. Vet J :, 2014. Pubmed reference: 24662024 . DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.03.003 . |
2014 |
Pfahler,S.,Bachmann,N.,Fechler,C.,Lempp,C.,Baumgärtner,W.,Distl,O.: :
Degenerative myelopathy in a SOD1 compound heterozygous Bernese mountain dog. Anim Genet 45:309-10, 2014. Pubmed reference: 24450472 . DOI: 10.1111/age.12118 . |
2014 |
Zeng,R.,Coates,J.R.,Johnson,G.C.,Hansen,L.,Awano,T.,Kolicheski,A.,Ivansson,E.,Perloski,M.,Lindblad-Toh,K.,O'Brien,D.P.,Guo,J.,Katz,M.L.,Johnson,G.S.: :
Breed distribution of SOD1 alleles previously associated with canine degenerative myelopathy. J Vet Intern Med 28:515-21, 2014. Pubmed reference: 24524809 . DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12317 . |
2013 |
Broeckx,B.J.,Coopman,F.,Verhoeven,G.E.,VanHaeringen,W.,vandeGoor,L.,Bosmans,T.,Gielen,I.,Saunders,J.H.,Soetaert,S.S.,VanBree,H.,VanNeste,C.,VanNieuwerburgh,F.,VanRyssen,B.,Verelst,E.,VanSteendam,K.,Deforce,D.: :
The prevalence of nine genetic disorders in a dog population from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. PLoS One 8:e74811, 2013. Pubmed reference: 24069350 . DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074811 . |
2013 |
Chang,H.S.,Kamishina,H.,Mizukami,K.,Momoi,Y.,Katayama,M.,Rahman,M.M.,Uddin,M.M.,Yabuki,A.,Kohyama,M.,Yamato,O.: :
Genotyping assays for the canine degenerative myelopathy-associated c.118G>A (p.E40K) mutation of the SOD1 gene using conventional and real-time PCR methods: a high prevalence in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 75:795-8, 2013. Pubmed reference: 23328634 . |
2013 |
Crisp,M.J.,Beckett,J.,Coates,J.R.,Miller,T.M.: :
Canine degenerative myelopathy: biochemical characterization of superoxide dismutase 1 in the first naturally occurring non-human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model. Exp Neurol 248:1-9, 2013. Pubmed reference: 23707216 . DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.05.009 . |
2013 |
Ogawa,M.,Uchida,K.,Yamato,O.,Inaba,M.,Uddin,M.M.,Nakayama,H.: :
Neuronal Loss and Decreased GLT-1 Expression Observed in the Spinal Cord of Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dogs With Canine Degenerative Myelopathy. Vet Pathol :, 2013. Pubmed reference: 23839236 . DOI: 10.1177/0300985813495899 . |
2013 |
Shafie,I.N.,McLaughlin,M.,Burchmore,R.,Lim,M.A.,Montague,P.,Johnston,P.E.,Penderis,J.,Anderson,T.J.: :
The chaperone protein clusterin may serve as a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker for chronic spinal cord disorders in the dog. Cell Stress Chaperones :, 2013. Pubmed reference: 23990410 . DOI: 10.1007/s12192-013-0457-4 . |
2012 |
Shelton,G.D.,Johnson,G.C.,O'Brien,D.P.,Katz,M.L.,Pesayco,J.P.,Chang,B.J.,Mizisin,A.P.,Coates,J.R.: :
Degenerative myelopathy associated with a missense mutation in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene progresses to peripheral neuropathy in Pembroke Welsh corgis and boxers. J Neurol Sci 318:55-64, 2012. Pubmed reference: 22542607 . DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2012.04.003 . |
2012 |
Tsai,K.L.,Noorai,R.E.,Starr-Moss,A.N.,Quignon,P.,Rinz,C.J.,Ostrander,E.A.,Steiner,J.M.,Murphy,K.E.,Clark,L.A.: :
Genome-wide association studies for multiple diseases of the German Shepherd Dog. Mamm Genome 23:203-11, 2012. Pubmed reference: 22105877 . DOI: 10.1007/s00335-011-9376-9 . |
2011 |
Ogawa,M.,Uchida,K.,Park,E.S.,Kamishina,H.,Sasaki,J.,Chang,H.S.,Yamato,O.,Nakayama,H.: :
Immunohistochemical observation of canine degenerative myelopathy in two Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs. J Vet Med Sci 73:1275-9, 2011. Pubmed reference: 21628865 . |
2010 |
Coates,JR.,Wininger,FA.: :
Canine degenerative myelopathy. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 40:929-50, 2010. Pubmed reference: 20732599 . DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2010.05.001 . |
2009 |
Awano,T.,Johnson,GS.,Wade,CM.,Katz,ML.,Johnson,GC.,Taylor,JF.,Perloski,M.,Biagi,T.,Baranowska,I.,Long,S.,March,PA.,Olby,NJ.,Shelton,GD.,Khan,S.,O'Brien,DP.,Lindblad-Toh,K.,Coates,JR.: :
Genome-wide association analysis reveals a SOD1 mutation in canine degenerative myelopathy that resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106:2794-9, 2009. Pubmed reference: 19188595 . DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0812297106 . |
2009 |
Miller,AD.,Barber,R.,Porter,BF.,Peters,RM.,Kent,M.,Platt,SR.,Schatzberg,SJ.: :
Degenerative myelopathy in two Boxer dogs. Vet Pathol 46:684-7, 2009. Pubmed reference: 19276068 . DOI: 10.1354/vp.08-VP-0270-M-BC . |
2008 |
Coates,JR.,March,PA.,Oglesbee,M.,Ruaux,CG.,Olby,NJ.,Berghaus,RD.,O'Brien,DP.,Keating,JH.,Johnson,GS.,Williams,DA.: :
Clinical characterization of a familial degenerative myelopathy in Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs. J Vet Intern Med 21:1323-31, 2008. Pubmed reference: 18196743 . |
2003 |
Fechner,H.,Johnston,P.E.,Sharp,N.J.,Montague,P.,Griffiths,I.R.,Wang,X.,Olby,N.,Looman,A.C.,Poller,W.,Flegel,T.: :
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2002 |
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1995 |
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1994 |
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