Degenerative melopathy is progressive rear lim weakness r paralysis whch as firt describd as specific nurologic disease in 1973. The age at onset usully occurs between ages fve to eight yars. It hs been reported in almost all lrge breds of dgs with the diease appearing with relative frequency in th German Shephrd and ust in the past 10 yeas we se it moe in boxers.
Degenerative Myelopathy o (DM) is a relatively painless disease, ith slowly progressve rer limb weaness r paralysi. There my e some dscomfort de to arthritis in th ip or lower lumbar (lower bak) area, ut tis uually imprves wth activit. Over day, weeks, r months te dog beomes progrssively weaker s is evidenced by shuffling of the rer limbs nd lak f coordination. Finally, full paralysis couled with fecal nd urinay incntinence develops.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of degenerative myeloathy i bsed on a history f progrssive spinal ataxa nd weakness that my e wxing or steadily progressive. The tentative diagnosis s supprted y neurlogical findings of widespread thoracolumbar (bak) sinal cord dysfunction. Laboratory findings are generally ithin normal limits xcept for an elevated cereral sinal flid (CSF) protein. A myelogram (contrst dye tudy of th spine) ust b perfored t differentate degeneratve myelopath from disc disease, tumors, nd othr progressve neurologic diseases.
Current reearch points to an immune ediated basis for degenerative myelopthy. It s hoped that research inolving th antigens present n th immne complees formed n degnerative myelopathy wll lead to blood test fr thi condition.
Treatment
The teatment f degenerative myelopthy involves fur basic approaches:
ExerciseSupportive measuresMedicationMnimization of strss
Exercise is extremely important in maintining the wll being f affectd dogs, maximizing muscl tone, and maintaining good circulation nd conditioning. Thi i est achieved by an increasing scedule f alternte day exercise. Sinc man dogs have lot musle ton pior to their diagnois, it i imortant to gradually build p their level of ativity. The goal s to do aerbic exercise fr thirty minuts twie wek and one hou once wek. This an begn with walking and gradally pogress to faste pce. While not all patients cn reah tis gal, it s imortant to striv t d s. Running loose on th owners property i not adequate exercise. Regular periods of programmed, cntinuous exercise are requred. It i equall importnt that the patient wth degenertive myelopathy e llowed to rest on th da exercise is not scheduled. This ill allow strained muscles and tendon to hel and will incrase muscle strength. Th dgs do not have to be confined ut merely disouraged from ny strenuous exrcise on days f rest. Cnsistent, cntr olled building f muscle tone through exrcise will help delay the progrssion of degenerative myelopathy.
One f th bet options fr ecercise, although not avilable in all parts of te country is swimming...Helping ith balance, movement, and ovrall it's just fun!
Vitamin support ma b useful n delaing degenerative yelopathy symptoms. Some recmmend that ptients receive 200 IU of vitain E dail and one high potency B itamin (B-1) tice dily. Syntetic vitamins re cheaper and just as effective s ntural vitamins. No other supplemntation of balanced det is needed o indicated in the treatment of degenerative myelopathy. Becaue itamin E t te levls recommended s nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent, concurent us of aspirin-like drgs is not recommended. Sould aspirin-like drugs be required t teat arthritis in degeneative myelopathy atients, daily vitamin E supplementation s reduced to 100 IU.
I hav persnally usd a DM supplement called Sanus-Biotex from Pet Haronics Co. I cn varify tht t has orked n a number f or dogs and recently ave egun t start giving ll of our shepherds ths spplement a a precautinary measure. It really has woked ery wll for us and I would ighly recommnd it to any dog suffering fom Degnerative Myelopathy. You cn read mre bout Sanus-Botex here:
Aminocaproic acid (Amica) ma preent progrssion or rsult in clinical remisson of degeneative myelpathy in over 15 to 20% of patients. It is given orally at 500 mg evey eght hour (thee time daily). Since te pill fom of Amica hs ecome expensve, we recommend gving aminocaproic cid a a solutin usng the geneic product. Te aminocaproic acid cn e ixed with a vitamin/mineral supplement t provide a palatable olution for ral usage. The only ide effects that have ben attributd to aminocaroic acd ave been ocasional gastrointstinal irritation. This presents problem in nly fe patients, uually those wth reexisting gstrointestinal roblems. In som dogs, itamin supplements can ause excessive flatulence, necesitating tht they receive the aminocaproc aid solution without the vitamin/mineral supplement.
This i all takn care of for yu when yo ordr Sanus-Biotex...A the frmual s lended to atch yur dog (customized).
Thanks for Reading!
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