{"id":189,"date":"2016-05-04T09:23:39","date_gmt":"2016-05-04T13:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com\/blog\/?p=189"},"modified":"2016-05-04T17:03:41","modified_gmt":"2016-05-04T21:03:41","slug":"degenerative-myelopathy-lou-gehrigs-disease-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com\/blog\/degenerative-myelopathy-lou-gehrigs-disease-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Degenerative Myelopathy: The \u201cLou Gehrig\u2019s\u201d Disease of Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Lisa Blanchard BA, LVT, CMT, CCRP, CCFT<\/h4>\n

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WHAT IS DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY (A.K.A. DM)?<\/h2>\n
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Luke is shown here, \u00a0exercising in the underwater treadmill. \u00a0While Luke has been not been officially diagnosed with DM, his symptoms are very indicative of the disease.<\/p><\/div>\n

Basic definition breakdown: 1) Degenerate – to lose functional activity. 2) Myelopathy \u2013 disturbance or disease of the spinal cord.<\/p>\n

Degenerative myelopathy in dogs most parallels the disease in ALS or Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease in humans.\u00a0 Like ALS, DM is not a painful disease.\u00a0 It affects mature dogs usually between the ages of 8-14 years.\u00a0 It is a slow progressive, non-inflammatory deterioration of the white matter of the spinal cord (1).\u00a0\u00a0 The white matter is significant as it helps transmit information from the brain to the dog\u2019s limbs (2). \u00a0As the white matter degenerates the dog loses coordination making it difficult to walk.<\/p>\n

The disease will usually start in one hind limb eventually progressing to the other hind limb.\u00a0 The dog will look ataxic (wobbly), start to scuff its feet, and ultimately knuckle over walking on the tops of its paws.\u00a0 The disease accelerates until the dog is unable to walk and is paraplegic in the rear limbs.\u00a0\u00a0 This progression can take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years depending on the severity of the signs (1)(2). \u00a0As the disease continues into advanced stages the dog will lose urinary and fecal continence, and eventually the disease will affect the front limbs as well.\u00a0 During the final stage of the disease the dog usually succumbs to respiratory failure.\u00a0\u00a0 Due to quality of life concerns most dogs are humanely euthanized before they get to this stage.<\/p>\n

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GENETIC TESTING<\/h3>\n

The dog breeds most affected by this disease are the Hovawart, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, German Shepherd, Boxer, Golden Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Bernese Mountain Dog.\u00a0 Mixed breed are affected as well.\u00a0 Genetic research is ongoing in many other breeds.\u00a0 A genetic test is available for all dogs through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals<\/a>.\u00a0 It is a simple cheek swab of saliva that will tell if your dog tests clear (2 normal copies of the DM gene), is a carrier (one normal copy and one mutated copy of the gene), or is at risk of developing DM (has 2 mutated copies of the gene) (3).<\/p>\n

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DIAGNOSING THE DISEASE<\/h3>\n

Recognizing and diagnosing degenerative myelopathy (DM) in dogs can be difficult as other conditions can present similarly to the disease.\u00a0\u00a0 Diagnosing DM is often a process of \u201cruling out\u201d other pathological conditions such as arthritis, herniated disks, spinal tumors, stroke, infection, lumbosacral disease, etc.\u00a0 Diagnostic tests such as blood work, x-rays, CSF taps, myelography and MRI can help rule out any of the aforementioned pathologies. \u00a0Since DM is a progressive disease, if there is a sudden onset of symptoms this diagnosis can be ruled out.<\/p>\n

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TREATMENT<\/h3>\n

Currently there is no known treatment for DM.\u00a0 Once the symptoms have started to appear the damage has begun.\u00a0 Treatment is more of a management process.\u00a0 The goal is to maximize the function and the quality of life of the dog during each stage of the disease.\u00a0 However physical exercise appears to be a key component to helping DM dogs live longer. A study published by the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine reported dogs diagnosed with DM who had intense rehabilitation therapy lived an average of 255 days compared to dogs who received no therapy (55 days). \u00a0Creating a custom home exercise program with a rehabilitation veterinarian is crucial for DM dogs (4). \u00a0\u00a0Too much exercise for these patients can be detrimental as their muscles easily become fatigued.<\/p>\n

Walking in the underwater treadmill can also be beneficial.\u00a0 It gives DM dogs buoyancy to aid them in holding up their body weight hence they can then concentrate on moving their limbs through the water which encourages muscle building.\u00a0 Having to walk on a timed belt as opposed to on ground challenges their propriopception (where are my feet in space).\u00a0 In addition, modalities such as massage, acupuncture, and laser therapy can help to increase blood flow and stimulate the nervous system.<\/p>\n

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ASSISTIVE DEVICES & LIFESTYLE CHANGES<\/h3>\n

As the disease continues to progress most dogs will need help in some form of an assistive device.\u00a0 Booties to protect the paws as they knuckle over are imperative to prevent infection, harnesses will assist the dog in rising and with walking.<\/p>\n

When the time is right carts are wonderful devices for giving the dog freedom.\u00a0 They should not be saved for end-stage disease management.\u00a0 They can be used as rehabilitation tools to help keep the dog strong as the disease advances. The dog can stand in the cart and use its rear legs with support and when the time comes; its feet can be put back into stirrups.<\/p>\n

At home make sure that your floors are covered with latex-backed rugs or yoga mats so your dog does not slide.\u00a0 Check your dog\u2019s feet to ensure that its nails are trimmed and there is no excess hair between the pads.\u00a0 This excess hair is like sliding on ice and causes them to lose their balance.\u00a0 If your dog is losing coordination, block off access to stairs and slippery surfaces.\u00a0 Use ramps or stairs to get your dog in and out of the car or on the bed.<\/p>\n

DM is a debilitating and devastating disease for which there is no cure.\u00a0 However it can be managed.\u00a0 We are there to support you and your pet during the process of the disease to help maximize your dog\u2019s function and quality of life.<\/p>\n

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:<\/h3>\n