Canine degenerative myelopathy
Abstract
Canine degenerative myelopathy is a progressive, debilitating condition of older, often large breed dogs, and is seen on a fairly frequent basis in practice. This article discusses the background of the condition including clinical signs to be expected at different stages in the disease process, how the condition is diagnosed, and looks at how best the condition can be managed using rehabilitation therapies with no curative treatment currently available. It also includes a case study describing a rehabilitation protocol for a patient referred for rehabilitation by the referring veterinary surgeon following diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy.
Canine degenerative myelopathy is a debilitating, chronic condition first described in the German Shepherd dog in 1973 (Averill, 1973), but which has since been found to occur in multiple breeds. The condition initially presents as proprioceptive deficits affecting the hindlimbs, eventually progressing to paresis then paralysis of the hindlimbs, then eventually tetraplegia and death due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles if intervention with euthanasia does not take place first (Nakata et al, 2019). As the condition cannot be cured, treatment is focused on management of the clinical signs in an attempt to slow disease progression.
Degenerative myelopathy affects adult dogs, typically 8 years of age and above (Awano et al, 2009). Although initially reported in the German Shepherd, it affects dogs of several breed including Bernese Mountain Dogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Boxers (Nakata et al, 2019). There is no known sex predilection (Averill, 1973).
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