Degenerative myelopathy and my girl - Page 3

1Doggie2, I emailed you. If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I have a question for you and I apologize if you have somewhere on this thread answered it. Does your dog seem to be in any pain in the hind end or spine? If so, she probably does not have DM. Ther is no direct pain inlvoved with DM. Many that have the disease are given pain meds, but that is because the rest of the body has to compensate for the weakness in the rear and this can cause muscle and joint pain.

No there is no pain, you can twist her back legs and she has no idea. If she was in any pain I would not be so calm and thinking I have time to work this out, whatever the conclusion. That is why I was asking if the A S has pain associated with it. When I googled it, they mentioned pain.

I am going through a diagnostic process with my 8.5 year old dog now. There are other things that can cause similar symptoms that I am working through. Testing is not cheap so we are taking things in sequence until/if a smoking gun is found.

These are options we discussed with a veterinary neurologist:

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Skeletal issue - we ruled that out with x-rays for my dog

Tick diseases-though some argue you may have a disease that falls below the titers and some feel could be delayed response to lyme vaccine (my dog was vaccinated for this years ago before I got him)-we came back negative on the titers and the vet is not interested in exploring that any further. It is in the back of my mind though if other tests come back negative.

DM-we are doing the genetic test to see if it can be ruled out or has to be ruled in.

Spinal cord damange of some type not responsive to the prednisone. He mentioned some cases (the vet neurologist)

Spinal cord tumor causing pressure.

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For those of you with dogs that have this horrible disease, I am so sorry. This was a nightmare to watch her go thru this. I sent in the DNA testing on her for the study. She has gone to rainbowbridge, I kept putting it off until she began to give up trying to stand. She was such a good girl and will be missed.

So sorry for your loss, 1doggie2.  Unfortunately, I know too well the nightmare you found yourself dealing with, with your beloved girl. I'm sure you are missing her terribly, and know how much that emptiness hurts.   Thanks for sending in the DNA, for all us who have been there with you, and hate this disease.

Run free, good girl......

So sorry for your loss;  this is such a horrific disease; I hope we can all look back upon these incidents and breathe easy someday.  It is just heartwrenching.  Nan

My boys last night when I look back now had the breathing issue starting;  at the time I did not know what the hell the noise was he made all night; but YES, it had affected his breathing also.  He was not quite 8 years old. 

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your cherished girl. When I read your post I fell apart...another sweet, beautiful and much loved friend and companion taken by this cruel, horrific disease. My girl with DM has not yet gone to the Bridge, but I am quite certain she'll be joining your girl sometime this year. Godspeed sweet girl. You can run fast and free now...

1Doggie2: Sorry to hear about your loss, and everybody else who have likewise travelled down this path. My thoughts are with you.

As a sidenote, it's one of the great ironies (and injustices) that such a proud & athletic breed is so predisposed to encountering this terrible disease. A disease which methodically strips a beloved friend, and such a proud physical specimen as well, of their dignity.