Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive neurological disease causing gradual hind limb paralysis in older dogs, with welfare management focused on maintaining quality of life and mobility as long as possible.
DM welfare management is unique because the disease typically causes functional loss without pain - dogs may appear cognitively normal and engaged while progressively losing mobility. The welfare challenge is maintaining enrichment and social engagement for dogs whose physical capabilities are declining, while monitoring for secondary welfare problems including pressure sores from recumbency, urinary tract infections from incontinence, and the frustration of decreased mobility. Dogs in wheelchairs often show dramatically improved engagement and positive behavior - wheels restore welfare-relevant autonomy. End-of-life decisions in DM involve monitoring when secondary health problems, caregiver fatigue, and loss of bodily control outweigh the benefits of continued life.