Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disease affecting older dogs, with welfare management focused on maintaining quality of life as mobility declines.
Degenerative myelopathy welfare requires understanding that a dog in a wheelchair is not a dog in distress - it is a dog whose mobility has been restored and who can continue to engage with life meaningfully. The mental state of DM-affected dogs often remains excellent even as physical function declines: they remain interested in food, social interaction, play, and their environment. The welfare challenge is practical: managing hygiene as bladder and bowel control are lost, preventing pressure sores in dogs who cannot reposition themselves, and maintaining mobility through appropriate equipment. Euthanasia decisions for DM dogs should be based on quality of life assessment that considers the whole animal rather than the inability to walk alone.