Degenerative Myelopathy (Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy/German Shepherd Myelopathy)
The term "degenerative myelopathy" is used to describe a specific degenerative spinal cord disease of mature dogs that results initially in paraparesis but eventually evolves to tetraparesis and cranial nerve signs. This disease is most commonly reported to affect mature German Shepherd Dogs, but it can also affect other breeds of dogs. The cause of this myelopathy is unknown, but may have a genetic predisposition with associated environmental influences.
Age of Onset: Usually greater than 5 years of age, however animals may be affected at less than 1 year of age.
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs are usually chronic in duration and progressively worsen over the course of several months to a year. Affected dogs typically present with signs of thoracolumbar disease that gradually progresses to involve the upper thoracic and cervical spinal cord. Clinical signs are typically bilaterally symmetrical.
Clinical signs are usually chronic in duration and progressively worsen over the course of several months to a year. Affected dogs typically present with signs of thoracolumbar disease that gradually progresses to involve the upper thoracic and cervical spinal cord. Clinical signs are typically bilaterally symmetrical.
Clinical Signs:
Behavior and Mentation
Apprehensive to walking on smooth surfaces
Posture and Appearance
Dragging or shuffling of the pelvic limbs
Abnormal toe-nail wear, toes 3 and 4 of the pelvic limbs most common
Poor weight gain despite a healthy appetite
Hypotonia
Movement
Pelvic limb paresis
Falling
Ataxia
Swaying
Legs crossing when walking
Proprioception
Paraparesis initially
Tetraparesis in late stages.
Symmetrical paraparesis is most common
Spinal Reflexes
Decreased spinal reflex function of the pelvic limbs
Clonus elicited on patellar reflexes
Hyperreflexia
Special Functions (e.g. respiration, urination)
Urinary incontinence
Fecal incontinence
Muscle Atrophy
Disuse atrophy of the affected limbs
Other
Peripheral nerve signs
Respiratory signs
Dysphonia
Behavior and Mentation
Apprehensive to walking on smooth surfaces
Posture and Appearance
Dragging or shuffling of the pelvic limbs
Abnormal toe-nail wear, toes 3 and 4 of the pelvic limbs most common
Poor weight gain despite a healthy appetite
Hypotonia
Movement
Pelvic limb paresis
Falling
Ataxia
Swaying
Legs crossing when walking
Proprioception
Paraparesis initially
Tetraparesis in late stages.
Symmetrical paraparesis is most common
Spinal Reflexes
Decreased spinal reflex function of the pelvic limbs
Clonus elicited on patellar reflexes
Hyperreflexia
Special Functions (e.g. respiration, urination)
Urinary incontinence
Fecal incontinence
Muscle Atrophy
Disuse atrophy of the affected limbs
Other
Peripheral nerve signs
Respiratory signs
Dysphonia
Spinal cord - Diffuse (Thoracolumbar signs most common)
Autosomal recessive inheritance of SOD1 mutation
For breed specific genetic testing, follow the link below:
vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/degenerative-myelopathy
For breed specific genetic testing, follow the link below:
vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/degenerative-myelopathy
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