Has anyone had a dog with degenerative myelopathy?

l

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thanks for all the kind feedback.

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