Myelopathies are degenerative diseases that strike the spinal cord and nerve fibers coursing throughout the body. These diseases involve the gradual loss of the outer, conductive coating that surrounds certain nerve fibers, called myelin. This loss impairs the fiber’s ability to transmit nerve impulses. Seen primarily in older, larger breeds of dogs, especially German shepherds, Myelopathies are characterized by muscular incoordination, weakness, and atrophy. As the nerves innervating the hind legs are affected, a turning under or dragging of the hind feet may result. In fact, the hind limb weakness exhibited by some dogs with degenerative myelopathy is often mistaken for arthritis of the hips or spondylosis deformans of the spine. However, pain is rarely a factor in this disease.
A myelopathy is tentatively diagnosed using historical findings, clinical signs, and reflex testing. Dogs afflicted with this condition will exhibit weak to absent reflex activity in their limbs. Electromyograms (EMGs) may be performed as well to evaluate electrical activity associated with the muscle tissue of the body. Unfortunately, because an exact cause of most Myelopathies, other than genetics, remains a mystery, there is no effective treatment to date. Vitamin therapy has been used in some instances to slow the progression of the disease, yet motor incapacitation is inevitable.
A myelopathy is tentatively diagnosed using historical findings, clinical signs, and reflex testing. Dogs afflicted with this condition will exhibit weak to absent reflex activity in their limbs. Electromyograms (EMGs) may be performed as well to evaluate electrical activity associated with the muscle tissue of the body. Unfortunately, because an exact cause of most Myelopathies, other than genetics, remains a mystery, there is no effective treatment to date. Vitamin therapy has been used in some instances to slow the progression of the disease, yet motor incapacitation is inevitable.
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