degenerative myelopathy of the rear legs??
 

:(It has been a long, long time since I have posted but now I am in desperate need of advice.
Are any members familar with DM (degenerative myelopathy); a disease usually seen in large breed dogs? My beloved Kobi, (age 12 1/2) began showing symptoms approx 1 year ago of weakness, unsteady gait, knuckling in his rear legs. An MRI revealed a disc disorder which resulted in surgery by an orthopedic specialist...a hemilaminectomy. The prognosis was VERY guarded but he seemed to improve slightly. As time progressed he is getting much weaker, falls when walking, and his gait worsens. He crosses his back legs, knuckles and is reluctant to move. When I read the symptoms of DM...it sounds exactly what my Kobi is exhibiting.
I am scheduled to see a neurologist on Mon, 11/15 in Phildelphia PA. I started swimmimg him in the bathtub (3 minutes) and have ordered a K9 cart...to be delivered in 1 week.
I need HELP from the GROUP. Please...has anyone experienced this? I am desperate for advice and suggestions to make his life as comfortable as I can. He means EVERYTHING to me. I am crying as I type. I am proud to be part of this forum. If advice is out there...I know it will come from all of YOU.
Thank you
Abby

I'm sorry to hear he has those issues with his rear legs. You are doing the right thing by taking him to a neurologist. they should be able to help or at least let you know of anything you can do to help him out. A cart is probably a good idea if his front legs are still strong.

are you going to UPenn to see the specialist?

Thank you for your response. His front legs are moderately strong. It is hard to tell when his back end is so weak.
Abby

Yes, I am going to the University of PA. Thanks for your attention.

I am not familiar with it but hope the neurologist can help Kobi.

I am second handedly familiar with this as many of my customers have larger breed dogs that have degenerative myelopathy. It is most commonly associated in German Shepherds although it does rarely occur in smaller breeds. From what I have heard, it is not painful for the dog, and the dog does not even realize that he is struggling. It's more painful for the owners of the dogs. I believe it looks much worse to you than it really is. Your dog is not hurting at all.

I'm happy to donate a set of shoes that will help your Kobi to walk a little bit better on the back legs if he is indeed dragging his legs and scraping against the floor. These shoes also can help keep his ankles and paws straight to avoid any type of curvitures or crossing when walking, or even help him to get up off the floor if that has become a problem.

I'm hoping he can get some relief. I'm so sorry you are going through this.

I have not had any experience with this. I hope that the vet at Penn can help your Kobi.
Karen, that is very sweet of you to offer shoes for him! :)

ALLDOGBOOTS
Thank you so much for your post. I would Love to purchase a pair of your dog boots. Your suggestion is so VERY, VERY much appreciated and kind. Just having you offer hope brightens my day. I have been feeling so devastated, your post uplifted me. Not only for Kobi but also for me.
He still tries to give 100%. Since he can no longer sleep on the couch (jumping up and down), I have placed a Futon in front of the couch so that I can sleep with him. That way if he needs anything thru the night, I am right there.
Could you send me a PM so that I can purchase the boots and have them shipped to my home. I only wish I could express how DEEPLY your post helped me.
Thank you for your kindness and support.

I'm glad I can make you feel a little better. I'll PM you now.

For all the YT members
Thank you for your words of concern. I pray that the neurologist will have some thoughts that can help my baby Kobi. Will post after I see him on Monday. Your support is deeply felt in my heart. I love you all.

poor Kobi. I hope the neurologists at the hospital can help him. Do you know which neurologist you're scheduled to see? My daughter is there now completing her 4th year of Veterinary School. I know she'll still be on her orthopaedic rotation but if you can give me more info maybe I can have her stop by.

My regular veterinarian has had two shepards with DM, the first one that had it was pretty young, six or seven and started knocking all the bars down in the agility ring. This was about ten years ago. It took Diane a while and even a few specialists to figure out what was going one. One of her current shepards, Tenor, has it too. She has him on a variety of meds, including some homeopathic supplements. Also, she does accupunture and is treating him with that too. You can tell something is not right with Tenor, but he is still walking on his own. Cresendo ended up in the cart a lot sooner and eventually his front legs started going.

You might consider getting on a german shepard discussion board and find out what is working for owners whose dog has it. They may even be able to give you the name of specialists to treat it, like they do here with LS.

Tenor is 12 now, and I think I first heard he had DM at least 3 yrs ago, so there's hope for your little guy. Diane does swim therapy with Tenor too, btw.

My thoughts are with Kobi and you.

Yes I do recommend swimming my boy Magic Large breed was ddx'd with DLSS> Degenerative Lumbo sacral syndrome. We manage his condition with swimming and underwater treadmill work. This is not the same condition your boy is suffering from though.

Moving the rear joints through range of motion is important to try and help keep up the muscular tone. Consider and ask about with the neuro, physiotherapy and tens machine for rear muscle tone.

Great idea to join a GS board, they deal with this a lot.

Also consider the herbal supplements, hopefully that board will have recommendations, but at a minimum glucosamine and chondrotin. This is for the front joints mainly as they will bear the brunt of load bearing as your dog rises from a seated or laying down position.

Now range of motion exercises are not complicated at all. It involves you picking up the back leg, moving gently the leg back and forth, this exercises the hip joint. then you switch to a hold underneath the knee, and bend the knee back and forth, then to the ankle and the same movement. Try a dozen rep's at each joint.

Ask the neuro, if there is also a compressive syndrome going on. Did they do a muscle biopsy to ddx the degenerative myleopathy? Has your boy had an MRI?

Sorry for all the questions, but lots can be done. I wish you and your boy the best, and he can and will have many happy years left.

Love

YorkieMalt
What a wonderful, generous suggestion to have your daughter look for me and Kobi. My appt is Monday, Nov 15th at 11:30, University of PA, Mathew Ryan Vet Hospital. I do not know the name of the neurologist. I am a nurse, you would have thought I would have asked the question...I just am so upset about his symptoms. Please tell your daughter that I SO VERY MUCH appreciate the kindness...even if she can't be there just the offering says EVERYTHING.

Lizzie07
I didn't think about a GS forum...Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I agree...that is another source of information. I will check into this.
Kobi had a laminectomy in Dec 2009. My orthopedic surgeon suggested accupuncture, I'll check into this also.
But most important...Thank you for the POSITIVE words. Your post brought comfort to me.
Thank you.

gemy
Kobi did have an MRI Dec 2009. I showed 2 disc issues, one upper back and one lower back. The lower was the area that did show some compression...he then underwent surgery (laminectomy of the lower back). He came thru the surgery well but never regained full movement to his back legs.
But his symptoms now are exactly the same that I read for DM. That is why I am seeking out a neurologist. He has not had a muscle biopsy. Maybe he will suggest this.
I just see him getting weaker esp in the rear legs...and I worry, worry, and worry. That is why I am trying to gather as much information as I can.
YOU have helped...Thank you. I started swimming Kobi about 3 weeks ago. We swim every third day for 3 minutes...I am slowly building him up (age 12).
I have had him on Chondroitin/Glucosamine for about 3 years and I give him a small dose of Medicam daily. (originally, I thought this disease was arthritis)
I tried physical therapy esp the underwater treadmill. It was NOT successful for him. He would swim with his back legs instead of putting weight on the treadmill. They tried and tried but all Kobi wanted to do was swim...I guess he has a mind of his own!!
I never thought of ROM exercises. What a wonderful suggestion. Tonight when my baby is by my side...I'll do what you suggested. Thank you.
Your ending made my night...you said, " he CAN and WILL have MANY happy years left.
I cry as I type. Thank you.

Our Annie, GS and others mixed in, was misdiag. with arthritis and not DM but it was too late when our yorkie vet observed her and said it looked like DM. We had to lay her to rest 2/27/08 at 15 yrs + from DM and other problems. I have a link or two from my web searches if you are interested. Please PM me and I send them to you next day or two. Very kind of you all with your support.
We wish you and Kobi well.

Itret0294
I am very sorry to hear that you lost your baby to this disease.
Yes, please send me links to more information. I am trying to learn as much as I can to make Kobi's life as comfortable as possible. He is everything to me. I can hardly bear this...I struggle to stay in the positive.
I hate to even type these questions to you. Did the disease stay in his rear legs...does it move upward? I want the answers but also don't want to hear the answers.
The support and kind words from ALL the members is soooo welcomed.
I love you all.

Ybba,
The links are on my home PC.
Get them to you Sun AM.
Bob

I will give her the info today. There are 2 neurologists on staff and she has already been through her neurology rotation and has met and worked with both doctors. She said they are fantastic!

Best of luck tomorrow. I hope they can help Kobi.

Sending our prayers for you and Kobi.

PM'd you with the DM links I found while learning about the disease Annie had.
Please keep us posted.
If anyone else would like the links for info please post a visitor or private message.
Bob

Please keep us updated on how Kobi is doing. I would do anything to keep my babies healthy and with me for as long as possible too, as many of us on YT would. You'll both be in my prayers.

Just had Pamela check....you're definitely on the schedule for 11:30am tomorrow morning. You're being seen by Dr. Moeser. He's a 1st year resident and according to Pamela, is super nice and very thorough. No worries though because he has to present all the information to his attending neurologist who should be Dr. Cross. Pamela is going to do her best to come see you and Kobi. Right now she's not scheduled for any ortho surgeries for tomorrow but it's so busy there you never know. Good Luck...hope you get some answers tomorrow.

Yorkiemalt
I hope no surgeries come in and I am able to meet Pamela. I already feel special just with her looking up my info. Maybe she is a special angel looking over my shoulder. I am very afraid to hear what the dx might be...but I keep telling myself things could be worse. He is in NO pain and still LOVES to eat. I am so thankful for that.
Thank you so very, very much to you and your daughter.
Abby

I'll be thinking of you both tomorrow.

Kobi is in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that everything goes well tomorrow.

Dear YT friends
I want to Thank everyone for their prayers, concerns and kindness for Kobi and me. I am trying to do everything that I can to make Kobi comfortable. Monday is the neurologist; Wednesday his cart and new red BOOTs arrive. Thanks to Alldogboots, Kobi's legs and feet will be protected as he tries to move about. Alldogboots has gone above and beyond to suggest orthopedic boots to support his feet.
The suggestion I dread the most is going to the German Shepard forum for information. I want the knowledge but dread what I will find. I love my baby so much, we have been insepartable for 12 years. Soon to be 13 on Feb 11. I don't know how I can live without him.
Will post the results of the vet visit.

Let's see what the neurologist says first. Worry about going to a support forum after. You don't want to jump to any conclusions without having a true, complete diagnosis and level of disease intensity.