CDRM or Degenerative Myelopathy in Working Line GSD? - Page 2

Yes- if it is surgical, it can be fixed :) Tick borne diseases- there is medication. Additionally, if steroids help, its not DM... Steroids will not help a dog with DM but will cause the disease to progress faster :(

Thank you for all your helpful replies and kind thoughts. My dog Bud (the subject of my opening query) retired from UK Working trials at 2.5 years old after he injured a sacro-iliac ligament. Despite seeing various Vets and an expert at a University Animal Hospital he was not properly diagnosed until a brilliant Canine Physio treated him. She has supervised his life ever since! Bud sees this Physio every 3 or four months at least and goes swimming weekly. The Canine Hydrotherapy Pool used to say he was their fittest client. He is an extremely active and reactive dog who until 8 weeks ago was catching rabbits and troubling deer. He did about 5-6 miles per day, nearly all of it off lead on farmland. Also about 8 weeks ago he did a superb 2 hour old track, gaining a Pass at Intermediate (Level 2) in the UK TDA tests, he did this in great syle dragging me up and down a rough hillside. He had a slightly strange walk because of the sacro-iliac problem but his trot WAS beautiful and he was still very keen to run flat out chasing anything he was allowed to chase! In the last 2 or 3 weeks he has deteriorated rapidly and now rarely trots anywhere, prefering to "amble" or pace, showing a bad wobble and often loosing his balance on turns, but rarely dragging his toes (say once in a thousand steps, that's all). He struggles to jump 30 or 40 cms into the van and sometimes trips up the single step into my bungalow. If he stops, thinks about it and concerntrates he jumps better. The Physio did some neurological tests and arranged for us to see her friend and our favourite Vet for blood tests 3 days ago, we get the results tomorrow. Bud shows no signs of being in pain and has no "sore" spots. I have owned 2 dogs with CDRM before but they did not have this rapid an onset. Thank you again for your help and advice, I will post an update when I have some news.

Sounds like it is something that can be fixed or alleviated with medication :) :) Keep us posted!

I disagree with many of Marjorie's statements, obviously, because she has always maintained my dog was too young and progressed too quickly for DM. 

Since both she and I did not have necropsies, we are equal in correctness, is the way I see it. My best advice is to keep an open mind.

.... And yes, I had the MRI done, all the same exact tests per the protocol, actually.

I have never heard the bit about prednisone making D M worse. I do not believe it, myself. I also do not believe D M goes into remission. 

Thanks for the update. 

Bee, prednisone causes muscle wasting, which is why it is contraindicated for DM dogs. Muscle wasting is already a huge problem in DM, so giving prednsione to a DM dog is like adding fuel to a fire. it causes a more rapid wasting of muscle mass. It is a good tool, on a short course,  for ruling out painful conditions which could cause symptoms mimicking DM. Look up side efects of steroids and you will see, if you do not believe me, that steroids cause and do accelerate muscle wasting. They can cause myopathies and exacerbate the situation, in DM.

DM can go into remission  well it did in 80% of the dogs we kept records on, in the support group)  if dm is caught early enough and the protocol is followed, religiously. Missie T had all the tests, as well as the DM Flash Test (came back positive and was run 3 times), when it was available. That test had the same efficacy of all the more invasive tests.

Bee, There is a condition which mimics DM in young GSDS, to a tee.. It is the equivalent of spinal muscle atrophy in spaniels. I cannot recall the exact name of the condition, but I remember speaking about it with Dr Clemmons.

Marjorie,

OK, I see we do agree on its use to help rule out other causes of the paralysis in an attempt to diagnose DM. It did not appear clear to me that you meant long term use of prednisone causes muscle wasting. Now, I can follow you.

Again, I went to a specialist, who tried everything, and no answers. Please do try to find that name of the condition you mention, as I am very interested in checking it out.

We've already covered much ground in other areas of disagreement, so I won't rehash those. I still urge people to do their own research and learn about the lack of consensus on DM in the medical communty so they can form their own educated opinion. 

Myesthenia Gravis??

That's another one.. hopefully not what this dog has.

Myesthenia gravis causes general weakness and exhaustion upon activity. It can also affect the espohogus, causing couhing and wheezing.

Bee, I will try to find out the name of the condition. I had it somewhere on my computer but my computer is like a garbage can. LOL! One day I am going to have to clean it out. I will see if I can find it for you, though. I believe it was called juvenile something in GSDS but I know thats not a big help... :(

Marjorie,

Are you thinking of Lumbosacral Stenosis?