Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disease in dogs. Welfare-centered management focuses on maintaining quality of life throughout disease progression.
Degenerative myelopathy welfare is unique because the disease progression is painless — the welfare concern is about loss of function and mobility rather than pain management. Dogs in early DM often seem unaware of their hindlimb weakness and engage enthusiastically with activity limited only by their diminishing coordination. Physiotherapy significantly slows progression in controlled studies, representing a genuine welfare-positive intervention. As paralysis develops, the welfare question shifts to whether dogs maintain quality of life through mobility assistance, appropriate nursing care, and continued engagement with activities they enjoy. Wheelchairs enable many DM dogs to continue normal social interaction and exercise-seeking behavior that characterizes positive welfare states. The ultimate welfare decision — when euthanasia is indicated — comes when forelimb involvement progresses to affect breathing and food intake.