Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive, incurable spinal cord disease in dogs that causes hind limb paralysis, most commonly in German Shepherds and Corgis, with a genetic test available to identify at-risk dogs.
Degenerative myelopathy creates a progressive loss of function that is devastating in its trajectory even in the absence of pain. Dogs lose the ability to walk, then to stand, then eventually to breathe independently. The progressive loss of mobility frustrates dogs who retain cognitive function and awareness. Owners face the grief of watching a beloved companion deteriorate. The disease is entirely preventable through breeding programs that avoid mating two carrier dogs, yet because the gene mutation is prevalent in popular breeds, cases continue to occur. The existence of a genetic test makes continued breeding of high-risk pairings an ethical concern.