The detail information of Myelopathy
Basic Information

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

Associated Diseases
Disease Name Other Name Mode of inheritance Link ID Possible OMIM ID Gene
Degenerative myelopathy Canine degenerative myelopathy Autosomal Recessive SOD1 SP110
Associated Breeds
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
References
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