Assuming the genetic inclination, is there anything that can be done to possibly avoid the disease if parents or siblings are known to have degenerative myelopathy? If there's nothing to avoid the disease completely, is there something to slow the symptoms from beginning?

If it's common in German Shepherds and Welsh Corgis, is there anything an adopter should watch for in a puppy?

I have friends, with this degenerative Myelopathy, this has show-up with Post Polio and other disorders, very painful, the muscles just seem to melt away...No Pet-Kid needs to deal with this pain.

I am glad you brought this up but a lot of the above information is incorrect. First, DM is common in many other breeds besides corgis and GSDs, including especially Boxers but also a number of others. Second, average age of onset is 11 in Pembroke Welsh corgis and it has never been document as far as I know below age 8. IVDD is the leading differential diagnosis that looks exactly like DM in corgis at least . (Type II.) It often presents without pain. MRI can rule out IVDD but CSF analysis proves nothing in DM- it may turn out later something can be ID'd such as small proteins but otherwise it is not valuable now.

Front leg weakness occurs due to progression of the disease, not just compensatory stress. Ultimately the disease will progress up the spinal cord and stop the animal's respiration if not euthanized sooner.

Infections and organ failure are by no means common. Organ failure might occur if a UTI occurred and was left untreated and became systemic, but that implies lack of care.
The same goes for depression and hygeine. Good care can prevent them.

Incontinence is hit or miss. Some females and a few males never get it, and when it occurs during the course of the disease varies widely.

An SOD1 mutation has now been associated with DM though not all dogs with two copies of the mutation get DM and a few with only one copy have been identified. See work by Dr. Joan Coates at the U. of Mo.

With care, a corgi can live well for several years with this disease, and I'm glad you mentioned longer times than the 6-9 months usually found on the web. Large dogs are often euthanized when they go down in back but with a cart can go for several years, with added front wheels even longer if the dog is not too large to handle at home. A corgi can still be using a four wheel cart and in good spirits and otherwise healthy for even longer. Despite this, It is a horrible disease that I hope all breeders will test for (OFA has the genetic test) and hope to eradicate.

Dear Dr. Coates,
thank you for these informative posts on medical issues!

I wonder if you can speak to laryngeal paralysis? Our dog was diagnosed with this last month and with a quick surgical laryngeal 'tie-back' she is a new dog entirely!!

I had never heard of such a thing, and thanks to video capability on a mobile phone I could tape the occurance and take it to our specialty clinic here in Columbus. The 'after' video is a stark comparison to the pre-surgery video of the dog nearly suffocating.
Many thanks to all our great vets who work so hard to keep our furry family members healthy and happy!

I'm not sure how much 'good' PT would be in true DM, when by nature of the disease, the muscles continue to deteriorate.

CSF & either MRI or specific lumbar radiographs are MANDATORY for correct diagnosis. Fully 80% of the DM's sent to us were, in fact, blown discs we were able to repair (some via plates) & the dogs were walking - withOUT PT - prior to leaving the hospital.

Owners - your dog does not speak the same language. You simply MUST do your homework on behalf of your K9-kid. If it's feasible, a walking dog is better than the rest of their life strapped to a cart.

PT helps keep dogs active as long as possible, and that, in turn, helps keep them healthy. It promotes circulation, muscle tone, and maybe most important, good spirits. It is true that it won't prevent eventual loss of the ability to use the muscles, but it does help the dog use what it can as long as possible. Exercise in general really benefits DM dogs, which is one reason why it is valuable to rule out other possible diagnoses where exercise might be contraindicated.

Here is the web page about OFA's DNA test for DM:

http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/dm.html

In my breed, (ISSR Shiloh Shepherds) breeders are beginning to test puppies before buyers even look at the litter.

Similarly, buyers can consider demanding this test be done on any puppy they may be interested in purchasing.

The test is easy (saliva swab), and not overly expensive (currently $65).

Oh, and ISSR Shiloh Shepherd breeders are in the process of testing all breeding stock too.

When you are seeking any breed of puppy, especially the susceptible breeds, that's an important item to add to your list of questions ... do they test their breeding stock and puppies for DM?

Would Cold Laser treatments help these dogs or is that treatment limited to Orthopedic/ Arthritic problems?

Gah--this is so scary! I have a pit/GSD mix who has weird issues with his hindquarters. It was diagnosed as mild dysplasia so we're dealing with it with supplements, but learning about DM has gotten me totally paranoid that this is something I need to start watching for. :-/ I've heard that reishi mushroom can slow the degeneration of myelin and perhaps prevent the onset of DM. Have you heard that, too? More here: http://www.ilovedogs.com/2013/05/ask-a-vet-can-supplements-prevent-the-onset-of-degenerative-myelopathy/