Degenerative myelopathy - Page 1

Hello all. FINALLY I have managed to successfully get on this discussion board! Last year, I believe, I had read several posts discussing treatments/homeopathic remedies for Degenerative Myelopathy. My very best working line bitch developed DM and I maintained her with varying success on a cabinet-full of supplements I had gleaned from an article published by the University of Florida: http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm I had taken her to several veterinarians; the onset was VERY subtle and it took a while to convince them anything was wrong. By the time she developed obvious symptoms,the only veterinarians to provide me with any type of help were two homeopathic practitioners, and they were both realistic about the slim chances of recovery. Accupuncture helped for a while. The bitch maintained a sort of arrested progression for about 10 months before I euthanised her in January of 2004. I have had working dogs many years, but this one really hurt--she was only 7 years old and still full of temperament and tremendous drive when she died. Other than a brief bout with minor Demodectic Mange as a youngster, she had had no other indications of such a devastating immune disorder. Her only linebreeding was Drigon 5-5, but knowing his history, that may have been enough genetically to have developed the disorder. Anyone who has comments, anecdotes, successes (or not-so-successes)are invited to respond! Thanks! June

I have a male that is out of german show and ddr lines that started showing signs of DM last summer. The supplements did help for awhile, now it doesn't seem to matter. We'll make the decision like you had to make here in the near future. He just turned 8 yrs old the 4th of Jan. He has no linebreeding. There was a website dedicated to DM and pedigrees, etc. Tried getting back into it, but it's become a PIA. But here's the site; http://www.mzjf.com My male has always had immune issues. Food allergies, ear infections ever since we got him at 2 yrs old. I now no longer vaccinate him at all. Luckily my county allows for waivers on rabies vaccine if due to health issues. Figure just want him to be as comfortable as he can be. He's still in the early stages, not falling yet, but doing the bunny wobble I guess you would call it. Angela

dogman777 what do you mean about Drigon?? What did he die of?? Did he have DM?? I have a bitch linebred on Drigon 3-4 who has been diagnosed with DM, she has had it for 4 years now and is about 10.5 fo her its a slow progression, she still can runn and play though falls down a lot and goes once a week for chiropractic and every other week for acupuncture which both seem to help

I have 9 year old male with DM, from his mothers BYB side as a 1/2 brother and full brother also had it. He was diagnosed at 4 years, very young for DM. Have had him on the Dr. Clemmons program, and he's still running. Got his SchII and III after diagnosis. He's on many supplements and the 2 prescription RX's, and I will also credit that he was in such great physical shape when the symptoms became obvious. He also has really bad allergies. I wonder if they go along with the auto immune problems? Moderate excercise, no stress, all natural food all help. Cathy, Chance, Jaden and angel Zoey snuggled deep inside my heart (lost her at under 3 to a motor neuron disease and just found out that her grandfather on the top has DM, humm)

Hello Palf. My husband knew Drigon in the flesh, actually did some helper work with Fritz,way back when, toward the end of Drigon's career. From his description, I believe Drigon was also stricken--had the classic, progressive symptoms.

I also went the chiropractic/accupuncture route. It helped for a little while, but her degeneration was quite rapid. Sad thing, I thought this bitch was going to be with me for 12 years or more like all my others...

Hello. Count everyday as a gift! My bitch was in outstanding physical condition--road work, swimming several times weekly. After her diagnosis, I stuck to swimming to maintain the muscle tone. Her symptoms were very subtle--she had a very slight deviation in her left rear, only noticable when she set up for her extremely vigorous guarding.Gait abnormalities showed up about 2 months later. I quit working her seriously and just "played" Schutzhund with her until she was physically unable. I guess I can be thankful it was not a painful disorder--she was bound and determined she could work right up to the end.

There is a DM support group active in the US, the URL is http://mzjf.com. The site is owned by Marj Zimmerman who has devoted many years to this terrible disease after losing her beloved GSD, Jack Flash. There is a lot of news on that site including a new test named the Flash test in honor of Jack Flash. Marj knows a lot about this disease and is always happy to help out with any questions or advise. I would strongly urge you to read the information on this site and procede from there.

Sorry V, I did not notice you listed Marj's site. I have never had any trouble accessing it, I just got on a minute ago with no problem. Try dropping the "www" from the URL. It's worth the read and Marj is very eager to help all. Her dogs are Am lines, but she has kept a lot of records over the years regarding all GSD's diagnosed with DM and it does seem to run in certain families. There is progress being made, but it is far from being a curable disease.

i was there tonight and it was hard one way but i went in another way try this http://www.mzjf.info/hgate/hgatefrm.php?mode=analysis dawnmarie