Boxer Dog with Degenerative Myelopathy

Pat S · 07:04 PM

Our 9 year old Maggie was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy. Well, I guess you can't diagnose it exactly, but most other options have been ruled out and the best dog neurologists in Denver has high confidence it is DM.

Anyway, for those unfamiliar with it, it is similar to Multiple Sclerosis in humans and affects the dogs spinal cord. It starts as a lack of abilty to use rear legs. It's a very slow disease that can lead to immobility in 6-18months and various other problems including loss of bladder and bowel control, and ultimately failure of other organs. It usually occurs in German Sheperds around 8-10 years. According to the doctor it is for the most part un-treatable although good exercise and diet can prolong effects.

Anyone else have experiences on this? I've done some reading on-line, just curious if other here have been through it.

Maggie is the brindle on the Left. Anabelle is the 10yr old fawn on the right.

Pat

RickM · RickM's Garage

Pat,

As the owner of an "over the hill" Golden I feel for you. I dread the day that I get news like this. Hopefully good diet and exercise will keep Maggie in good shape for a while longer.

Beat those odds, Maggie!

Neilk · 08-10-2004, 07:02 AM

Max,

I was going to post a picture of my boxer, but this your post. I am sorry to hear about Maggie's condition. I am not sure what to say, but enjoy the time you have with her.

Check out the boxerworld.com. Hopefully somebody can help you there.

vash · vash's Garage

damn pat. i feel your pain. my dog is being tested for cushing's disease now. sounds as complicated an illness as maggie's affliction.

good luck, buddy.

cliff

Pat S · 08-10-2004, 03:55 PM

Thanks Guys.
Neilk, Feel free to post away. All boxers are cool! I know boxerworld well. We have done rescue foster homing in Omaha, St Louis and Denver and refer to boxerworld often. The people who post there get a bit emotional at times though. Hmm I guess we do the same here sometimes... like when people put a V8 in a 911

Vash, good luck on the test, let us know how it turns out.

Pat

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I always thought that Boxers were a fairly short-lived breed, so given that our female is now 9 I figure every day is gravy. Sorry to hear about it, but knowing Boxers, she'll figure out a way to still be "spring loaded".