Degenerative myelopathy and my girl - Page 2

As I was typng my previous post a lot of others responded. The people on this board are awesome!

I see Abby mentioned the clinical trial. It has not started yet and I'm not sure why. Something to do with the drug company I think. The trial will be taking place in S. Florida and the dogs must be examined on a regular basis, so it is not something that can be done long distance unfortunately.

I'm glad Melba mentioned the soft claws. They are great!  My girl is 25" and 77 lbs. and I order the xxx-large size for her.

I have tile on my floors, but put down carpet runners all over the house to give Shelby more traction. It really helps. I've tried boots, but they are not very beneficial. Shelby trips terribly with them.

1doggie2, and that is what worries me, the prednisone-- it did nothing positive for my dog, just like yours. It is a last ditch effort, I think, the vets do it for us. The incontinence and the ineffectiveness of any treatment are the most worrisome symptoms, to me. Make sure you wash the legs daily to prevent rash from the urine. 

Starrchar, Walking her 4 to 5 times per day, she is to the point she goes 4 to 5 steps and is down. Then she will rest and go another few. If she goes from the kitchen to the garage there is a small step, it is 50/50 on accomplishing this. I recently put in a pool, knowing she had dysplatic hips and thinking it would be good to swim her and build up those hips with no pressure points. She could not get out of it and I can not lift her, I have a crushed disc and cracked vertebrae in my back (one to many dog fights). So I am so dissatisfied, I was so looking forward, I love to swim with my dogs. Thank you for the Information i will contact both alternatives? Can I ask you how far where your symptoms when you began the protical? Please email me any information that you have, cmdonna@me.com

Doggie, you might want to consider having her DNA tested to be sure it is DM.There are a lot of other things that can mimic DM. I'm really sorry to hear this. It's every GSD owner's nightmare.

PS: Ignore the first 2 sentences. I see that Char has already offered that suggestion to you.

I lost my baby girl to DM at age 3  

RIP TESSA VOM HIDDENHAUS!

you were the best thing that ever happened to me!

I will love you & I have never forgotten you!

oregontnt2007: You are the youngest I've ever heard, besides myself! Three years old! So sorry for you.

It is comparable with dna to the human form of the disease known as, Lou Gherig's disease. 

http://www.news-medical.net/news/2009/01/21/45208.aspx  

See also this thread for more personal experiences: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/forum.read?mnr=164657

1Doggie2, I'm so sorry for you & your dog.

And to all the other posters here God bless you. It is so hard to lose your best friend.

jackie harris

1Doggie2 ,

So sorry to hear about your girl ..  I posted about about the towel when Starrchar was asking about the disease last year .. I used it to walk my Missy around using it she felt much more secure with it ..I also used "booties" so that her back paws would not get scraped up .. she like your girl was also on Prednisone ..  it helped for a period of time .. there were days when she could not get up at all and I would have to pick her up .. which was hard .. as I said before its such a hideous disease .. I feel your pain because I know what you are going through.  When I first saw her signs of the disease .. I immediately looked it up and found Dr. Clemmons in Florida .. there are trials now .. they so need to find a cure for this darn disease .. I hate to keep seeing these posts on DM .. try to keep her at the least walking as much as she and you can at this time ... 


Lisa

Other diseases can mimic DM. I lost my first GSD to ankylosing spondylitis of the spine at age 9. The symptoms were pretty much identical to DM: progressive loss of control of the hind legs, plus incontinence of stool. When she reached the point that she was dragging her hind legs along the ground, I very reluctantly gave permission for her to be euthanized.

I would have the genetic test done. If it is negative, have an x-ray taken, as that will show if there is arthritis in the spine. Spondylitis is an advanced form of arthritis where the vertebrae actually fuse together, blocking the transmission of nerve signals.

Sun silver I googled the a s, I read where there is pain associated with this, was your dog showing signs of any pain? She is to be tested next week for dm.