Page 120 - Aussie Magazine - 2023 Issue 2

Health

As the clinical diagnosis can be performed
only post mortem, the molecular genetic ana-
lysis presents an excellent method for early
determination whether a dog is at risk for
degenerative myelopathy or passes the mutation
to the next generation, if the dog is heterozygous
for this mutation. However, the onset of the first
signs and the severity of the course of the disease
cannot be determined by this method.

Early clinical signs include:
• The hind paws "knuckle" or turn under
so that the dog walks on its knuckles,
especially when turning.
• The dog's hindquarters appear to sway
when standing still.
• The dog falls over easily when pushed
from the side.
• The hind feet seem to scrape the ground
when walking and sometimes the top
surface of the feet become hairless and As the condition progresses and the spinal cord
irritated from repeated trauma. deteriorates, these symptoms worsen, eventually
• The dog has difficulty getting up from a progressing to paralysis of the hind end.
lying position.
There is no effective treatment for DM at present.
Treatment of other concurrent problems such
as arthritis or hip dysplasia may provide some
relief from pain or discomfort. It is important to
avoid obesity, so diet and exercise (walking and
swimming) are vital components of treatment.
The goal is to maintain the dog on its feet for
as long as possible. Physical therapy has been
shown to prolong quality of life and preserve
muscle mass. Any dog with DM should be
kept as physically active as possible for as
long as possible. The progression of clinical
signs has been shown to be slowed with a
Dogs with DM may exhibit combination of epsilon-aminocaproic acid,
N-acetylcysteine, prednisone, vitamins
progressive but non-painful B, C, and E, and exercise therapy.
weakness and lack of coordination

in the hind limbs, muscle atrophy,

ataxia and leading ultimately to
paralyses, being incontinent.

120 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 2/2023