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Has anyone had a dog with degenerative myelopathy?
Posted on 8/8/21 at 3:26 pm
Posted on 8/8/21 at 3:26 pm
I have a 10yo female boxer who I believe to have this. The vet mentioned it back in April, and she'll be going back tomorrow because of how her condition has progressed. Her back legs just randomly give out, her back hinds will walk sideways or appear drunk. She will fall on her butt with her rear hind splayed out and cannot get up from there. She will also stand and walk on her back knuckles. She was 46lb in April and in the last month, she's definitely reduced her intake and is 43lb now. Her back legs and back bones are showing.
Anyone experience this with a dog?
Anyone experience this with a dog?
Posted on 8/8/21 at 3:28 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
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This post was edited on 12/17/21 at 8:45 pm
Posted on 8/8/21 at 3:43 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
My parents’ dog had similar symptoms, but I never heard anybody put a name to what was happening.
The day came where he couldn’t stand up on his own and they had him put down.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 3:44 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
Happened to my sister boxer, eventually lost all use. I think it’s pretty common in older boxer unfortunately
My last dog had a similar issue as well, happened a little differently. It’s like ALS in humans. Worked its way from the back to the front. Started with legs randomly giving out, and random leg tremors. It’s sad to watch
My last dog had a similar issue as well, happened a little differently. It’s like ALS in humans. Worked its way from the back to the front. Started with legs randomly giving out, and random leg tremors. It’s sad to watch
This post was edited on 8/8/21 at 3:46 pm
Posted on 8/8/21 at 3:44 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
quote:
I have a 10yo female boxer who I believe to have this.
I have a 12yr old Collie dealing with this the last 18months or so but not as bad as you are reporting. It has gotten worst in the last 2 months not able to jump up on our bed anymore. She can still pull herself up but it has been more of a struggle lately.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 3:44 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
Not this particular condition but I met a Golden Retriever with paralyzed hind legs once. Very happy and friendly dog, just needed the wheels to get around.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 4:04 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
It’s basically ALS for dogs. Happened to my mastiff just recently. After 9 months we had to put him to sleep. We did all the treatments and had wheels for him, but after so long he was just not happy anymore and we were being a little selfish. It was horrible to watch him deteriorate especially since my FIL just passed from ALS like 6 month before.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 4:06 pm to Zephyrius
quote:
not able to jump up on our bed anymore. She can still pull herself up
Yea, she stopped jumping in the bed prob a year ago, but I was ok with it and didn't think anything of it. She always had a nice place on the sofa, but stopped going up there about 2 months ago. She stays on the ground now; has a nice cushioned bed.
I've thought about the wheelchair thing, but that would seem to work if we were out taking a walk, but how is she suppose to relax at home with that attached.
There are times she gets stranded somewhere and I have to go pick up her hind legs and put them under her.
Thankfully, the condition is not supposed to be painful and she doesn't exhibit signs of pain.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 4:12 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
I had a pug that had this. He lost complete use of his back legs. I got him a cart from a company called Eddie’s Wheels. It helped. Sorry about your dog.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 4:42 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
Just put down my GSP last Tuesday. He was getting worse and was old enough it wasn’t worth trying wheels. He had periodic issues but the last 3 months was just really going downhill. I had to help him stand and go up a step in and out of the house by the end.
Good luck to you and your pup!
Good luck to you and your pup!
Posted on 8/8/21 at 4:55 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
My last dog had it, and that's why it was my last dog.
It was a long, slow process (two years), and I ended up keeping him around longer than I should have. It's hard to come to that realization because it happens so slowly, you adjust to each new development, just trying to make life comfortable for your friend. At some point, it'll be too much. Ask others, and listen to them if they tell you it's time.
I tried wheels, but my dog hated them. I created a harness to lift his hind end up to go for walks. Exercise is good for their front legs to keep those muscles up, so however you can keep her walking, do so. Watch for sores from sitting too long, or too much pressure in certain spots. Make sure she's got a padded area to sit or rest on, and don't forget to put her in your lap, or up on elevated places she liked to jump up on every once in a while. Also watch for urine scald as incontinence will eventually become a problem and she can't clean herself anymore. You can get diapers and wraps from any of the chain pet stores if you let it go that far.
It sucks to watch a mentally happy and otherwise healthy dog deteriorate like that. You have my sympathies. I wish you the best with everything you're about to deal with.
It was a long, slow process (two years), and I ended up keeping him around longer than I should have. It's hard to come to that realization because it happens so slowly, you adjust to each new development, just trying to make life comfortable for your friend. At some point, it'll be too much. Ask others, and listen to them if they tell you it's time.
I tried wheels, but my dog hated them. I created a harness to lift his hind end up to go for walks. Exercise is good for their front legs to keep those muscles up, so however you can keep her walking, do so. Watch for sores from sitting too long, or too much pressure in certain spots. Make sure she's got a padded area to sit or rest on, and don't forget to put her in your lap, or up on elevated places she liked to jump up on every once in a while. Also watch for urine scald as incontinence will eventually become a problem and she can't clean herself anymore. You can get diapers and wraps from any of the chain pet stores if you let it go that far.
It sucks to watch a mentally happy and otherwise healthy dog deteriorate like that. You have my sympathies. I wish you the best with everything you're about to deal with.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 6:24 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
Yes, I had a 1/2 boxer mix and it happened to him. Eventually I had to carry him outside because he couldn't walk out on his own. I finally had to accept that I had to put him down. Had someone come to the house to do it. Cried for the first time since I could remember.
Hate to say it, but you should get yourself mentally ready.
Hate to say it, but you should get yourself mentally ready.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 6:35 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
We had this a few years ago with our boxer of 14 years. We had to carry her outside daily to help her. Unfortunately, it finally got to the point of taking her to the vet and making a decision. One of the hardest things we had to do.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 6:38 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
I don’t have experience but I wish you luck with the vet tomorrow
I have a Boxer that will be 10 in December & I know how lucky I am that she’s had no major health issues
I have a Boxer that will be 10 in December & I know how lucky I am that she’s had no major health issues
Posted on 8/8/21 at 6:40 pm to LSUJML
Thanks for all the kind feedback.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 6:45 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
Our boxer started having these symptoms in the last few weeks or so of her life. (She was 11). She already had lymphoma and we knew our time with her was limited. I don’t know if she had this disease or it was just part of her deterioration-she also started seizing. It’s absolutely gut wrenching.
Posted on 8/8/21 at 6:52 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
Yes. We lost our 11 year old boxer in January. There is no cure but there are many things you can do to slow it down. There is a dna test that you can get on line to determine if your baby has the genes. They need both genes from mom and dad to be at risk. Sadly it can’t be definitively diagnosed until a necropsy. If you are on FB, there is a large group of boxer owners with DM that will answer any questions you have and is a great resource. There is another page, Tyson’s Wonderwheels who will get you wheels. I’m so sorry. If I can answer any questions, I will try but the DNA test is the first step
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