Canine degenerative myelopathy causes progressive, irreversible spinal cord degeneration, requiring active welfare-centered management as mobility declines.
DM creates a welfare management challenge as progressive neurological decline requires ongoing adaptation of support. Dogs in early DM retain good quality of life with appropriate exercise, physiotherapy, and mobility aids. As the disease progresses through paraplegia to front limb involvement, welfare assessment must be honest about quality of life. Dogs with DM do not appear to experience pain from the neurological degeneration itself, but loss of mobility and the complications of recumbency (pressure sores, urinary soiling) create welfare concerns that require active management. The decision about when quality of life is insufficient for continuation is one of the most challenging welfare judgments in veterinary medicine.