Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive spinal cord disease affecting certain breeds. Understanding welfare-focused management helps maintain quality of life as the disease progresses.
DM creates unique welfare challenges as a progressive but initially painless disease. Dogs retain cognitive function and enthusiasm while losing physical capacity, creating the paradox of a mentally alert dog in a failing body. Welfare depends enormously on owner adaptation - providing mobility support, preventing pressure sores, managing bladder and bowel function, and maintaining enrichment and social engagement as capacity changes. Dogs with DM can maintain good quality of life for extended periods with appropriate support. Welfare declines when mobility loss is not accommodated and when secondary complications like pressure sores develop.