Degenerative myelopathy is a common cause of neurological dysfunction of the rear limbs (posterior paralysis) of dogs (other causes include intervertebral disk disease, spinal tumors, hypothyroidism, and cauda equina syndrome.) Most commonly, middle-age to older larger breed dogs, especially German shepherds, are affected (in the past, the condition was called German Shepherd Myelopathy.) The disorder is slowly progressive and often confused with hip dysplasia (many pets mistakenly diagnosed with hip dysplasia in fact have degenerative myelopathy; to complicate things, some dogs have both hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy at the same time!) Changes in the spinal cord causing the neurological signs include demyelination (destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding the spinal cord) and degeneration of axons (nerve tracts.)

The exact cause of degenerative myelopathy is unknown. However, many doctors feel that this is an autoimmune disorder where antibodies are formed by the dog against spinal cord protein. Holistic veterinarians propose that since vaccinated dogs have higher levels of auto-antibodies, there may be an association with over-vaccination. Definitive proof of this theory is lacking, although the suggestion is plausible. The disease mimics multiple sclerosis in people.

Diagnosis is made by ruling out other causes of similar clinical signs including intervertebral disk disease, spinal cord tumors, hip dysplasia, cauda equina syndrome, and hypothyroidism.

Treatment Options (Always Consult Your Veterinarian)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (fish oil primarily, also flax oil) – Dosed at 10 mg/pound of body weight 1-3 times daily.

Antioxidants – Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E, minerals such as selenium, and other substances such as coenzyme Q-10, bilberry, blueberry, resveratrol, OPC’s, etc., work by reducing cell-harming oxidizing chemicals released upon cell damage and death.

Natural Diet – To reduce toxins

L-carnitine – 1000-2000 mg 1-2 times daily.

Spinal Cord Glandulars and Myelin Specific Protein – Per label dosage. The following products are available from Westlab pharmacies by prescription:N-acetylcysteine, Aminocaproic acid, Antiox-Q , Antiox-QCB. Westlab Pharmacy ((352) 373-8111, toll free at (800) 4WESTLA, e-mail at info@westlabpharmacy.com.

Bovine Cartilage – 750 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Co-Enzyme – Q-50 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Vitamin E – 100 IU/50 pounds twice daily

Gammalinolenic acid – 100 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Selenium – 100 mcg/50 pounds twice daily

Gingko extract – 100 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Beta Carotene – 12,500 IU/50 pounds twice daily

Pantothenic acid/Calcium Pantothenate – 50 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Vitamin B-12 – 50 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Thiamine – 50 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) – 50 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Niacin – 50 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Pyridoxine – 50 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Folic Acid – 400 mcg/50 pounds twice daily

Curcumin – 500mg/50 pounds twice daily

Bromelain – 250 mg/50 pounds twice daily

Homeopathics – Sulfur

Homotoxicology – Psorinoheel

Author – Dr. Shawn Messonnier, DVM