DM

DM is a genetic disease that can be limited in severity by avoiding breeding dogs that are carriers to other carriers or carriers to dogs that have both copies of the gene. " DM is a disease that affects the spinal cord in dogs, causing progressive muscle weakness and loss of coordination...DM is an inherited neurologic disease typically affecting dogs around eight years of age or older. It causes gradual muscle wasting and incoordination in the hind limbs, and then progresses to an inability to walk after six to twelve months. This muscle weakness may extend to the forelimbs in the late stages of the disease" (Degenerative Myelopathy, n.d.).

 

The AKC has stated "The first signs of DM can be subtle, like your dog dragging a rear foot, having a wobbly gait, or taking a wrong step here or there. With time, signs of canine DM progress to swaying, falling to the side, loss of coordination, worn nails on the rear paws, walking on their knuckles, and even difficulty getting up.

Eventually, the dog’s rear legs weaken, then become paralyzed. After that, the paralysis moves forward, affecting the front legs until they no longer work, either. Paralysis can continue progressing all the way to your dog’s head."

​

DOGS THAT ARE A CARRIER CAN PRESENT AFFECTED (Degenerative Myelopathy, n.d.)