Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disease in dogs that requires careful welfare monitoring and support as mobility gradually declines.
Dogs with DM experience the welfare challenge of progressive loss of hindlimb function while remaining mentally alert and otherwise healthy. The degenerative process itself is not painful, but secondary complications including pressure sores, urinary tract infections, and muscle atrophy require active management. Dogs adapted to wheelchairs maintain engagement, exercise, and positive welfare indicators well into disease progression. The welfare decision about when to euthanize requires careful quality of life assessment rather than fixed functional milestones.