Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Degenerative Myelopathy: Welfare Management

Supporting dogs with degenerative myelopathy through an evidence-based welfare management approach.

Key Facts

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disease primarily affecting German Shepherds and Boxers
The disease causes progressive hindlimb weakness and eventual paralysis without pain in most cases
Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy maintain muscle mass and extend ambulatory function
Wheelchairs maintain mobility and quality of life as weakness progresses; most dogs adapt readily

Welfare Considerations

Degenerative myelopathy is unique among neurological diseases in typically causing minimal pain, allowing high quality of life with appropriate support for extended periods. The welfare imperative is maintaining mobility, preventing secondary complications, and making honest end-of-life decisions when quality of life declines.

What You Can Do

Begin physiotherapy early in DM progression to maintain muscle mass and mobility
Consider a wheelchair cart to extend independence and quality of life as weakness progresses
Monitor bladder and bowel function carefully - urinary retention is a welfare emergency