degenerative myelopathy

[MMtnmom]

I pm'd Michelle about this, but am throwing this topic out in general for a friend whose GSD has recently been diagnosed (presumptively) with this. Who can tell me about this...long term prognosis, anything that helped even short term. Zena is a sweetie and we are all devastated by this...she is going to be 8 in a couple of weeks and her rear assembly is already pretty week.

[ 08-30-2005, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: MMtnmom ]

 

[sarnewfie]

i am so sorry mtnmom
it seems quite a lot of GSD get this malady, i wish i had info, but i dont, i just wish her all the best.

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

This a degerative disease and does not get better over time. I have had several friends who have had GSDs with it. It is very common in GSDs. Several of them took the dogs swimming to help stengthen the muscles but eventual the dog drags its rear legs, loses sensation and control inthe rear and can not stand in the rear. It is not a good long term prognosis unfornutaley.

[ 08-31-2005, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: JTNewf ]

 

[Michelle]

It is something that GSDs and Corgis get more than any other breed. Not sure why. Unfortunately, there are no tests that the breeders can do to predict it. Its not necessarily a hereditary thing either. Walking, swimming will help, but as was stated before - there is no cure. So sad to see a younger dog with that. Its so sad. Its almost like a neurological thing. This supplement is said to give the most positive results. It can be found at health food stores (we got it for our Newf when he had growing pains) in a product called Flex-Agility Max. It might be sold as an enzyme on its own as well. It might be worth a try for her.

Bromelain/Curcumin:

Bromelain is an extract of pineapple stems which has the property of decreasing circulating immune-complexes. As such, there is no Western medicine which is its equal. Since many of the complications and the direct initiation of the immune damage may be caused by the elevated immune-complexes in DM, bromelain may be an important key in helping to control the progression of DM. Curcumin (the yellow pigment of turmeric plants) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Bromelain and curcumin have a synergistic effect whereby they assist the absorption of each other from the gastrointestinal tract, increasing their potency. As such, they should be given together. Many health food stores carry combinations of bromelain and curcumin. For dogs with DM, give 400-500 mg of bromelain with 500-400 mg of curcumin twice a day. (Curcumin is found in low concentrations in the spices turmeric and yellow mustard. As such, it is possible to replace the "capsule" form by adding 1-2 Tbs of turmeric and 1-2 tsp of dry yellow mustard to the diet.)

 

[tridentk9]

Have them read these two websites-

This is from University of Florida where much of the DM research is being done.
http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm

Jack Flash's site:
http://www.mzjf.com/main.htm
TONS of information and a link to their support group.

 

[Laura_Loomis]

Guido had DM, as did his litter mate.

I have a theory that Dm is in fact hereditary, but, esp with big dogs, we don't see it because the symptoms don't onset until about 10...and they look like normal getting old...the just happen fast...

I had pretty good lick with a raw diet and holistic therapy recommended by my homeopathic vet, though I don't remember the details.

Generally, from onset of symptoms until the failure reaches the brainstem and death occurs is 3-6 months. There is no cure. Forutnatly, since a deadening of the nerves is occurring, there isn't pain, either...

Best bet is to get as much muscle and as little fat on them as possible and walk them. Invest in a good sling, and realize that you can only do what's best for them. Not you.

Some people have tried gold bead implants, but they are fairly expensive and given the bad prognosis, not a route I considered.

I put Guido down when he could no longer do stairs and would cry all night if we slept in the bedroom, or (more the case since I slept on the couch the last couple of months) were on the computer. He also lost bladder and bowel control as the nerves died. That was in March, and I still miss him tons!

Good luck to your friend, and if you want to PM me, I'd be happy to dig out some of the info...

 

[momsdog]

Thanks folks, i'll send on all info to her. Zena is really down in the rear...I don't know that practically speaking she has a lot of time left...but who can tell. Thanks again.

 

[Ivoryudx]

This sight seems to be a pretty good holistic approach, with a medical background.

http://drnancysplace.com/myelopathy.html

Susan

 

[EILEEN]

It is a sad disease because the dogs are still of sound mind, but it is a disease that is similar to MS in people. It's a degeneration of the covering of the spinal cord. The signal that goes from the brain down the spinal cord to tell your legs to move starts to slow down either on the way back up to the brain or on the way down from the brain, so the legs don't know what to do, and eventually they can't control their legs at all.

It is not a painful disease until, if you let it get to this point, where the dog starts to drag it's legs and gets sores on the top of the feet, they do eventually loose control of their bowels. The steroid Pred will help, if given in the beginning stages, but eventually even that doesn't do much help.

I had a lab mix with it many years ago and it was heartbreaking to have to put him to sleep because from the waist up he was still all there, but at that point when you have a huge dog that you can't help up it's the kindest thing to do in the end.

I wish you the best of luck in what ever treatment you try.