Degenerative Myelopathy

[pabrader]

Tucker is not getting better. From what I've read on the internet DM will cause the back legs to drag in 3-6 months and then the front...can cause respiratory arrest after that. There are neuro drugs that can sometimes make dramatic improvments so I guess that will be next.

Matthewneal, how long has your girl been having problems? Do the herbs help? It is heart breaking to see them not be able to get around.

 

[matthewneal]

Gibney has been having trouble for about four months...so, we're very sad. It's so much faster than we thought. It seems like so long ago that she would run and jump up on the bed, run down the stairs and chase us around...my wife and I are just a mess over this.
I thought the herbs and the acupuncture were helping, but she has good days and bad. Her spirits are always up and she looks happy, tail wagging, but then she tries to move and just falls all over the place. It's awful.

 

[debbie knowles]

DM...where do I start? I first came to BW back in 2001 when my 7 year old Hannah was suffering with DM and we wanted to get her a dog cart. Her picture is still in my gallery with her "wheels" although the thread history of her story is gone, aged out I suppose. We first knew there was a problem when Hannah began dragging the toes on her left rear foot. After many, tests and x-rays, after everything else was ruled out we got a diagnosis of DM and we were told she had 6 to 9 months and there was just nothing we could do...I had never lost a dog before and was not about to stand by and do nothing except watch my baby go down hill. We immediatley sought holistic help and began Hannah on Amino CaprocicAcid, chinese herbs, bone and joint supplements, accupuncture and water therapy. Eventually she did lose the use of her back legs and since our vet convniced us that she was NOT ready to go anywhere just yet, we bought her her "buggy" and she loved it. I would have to run to keep up with her in that thing.

I am not sure what helped her and what didn't as we were so aggressive in trying everything we could think of but what I do is that Hannah lived another 23 months...not 6 to 9 as we were told. The months she lived were good ones as she was never in pain, she was just numb. Eventually, the DM progressed to her front legs and lungs and one night as I held her as she struggled to get her breath, she gave me the look that everyone told me I would one day see...the look telling me that she was ready to go to that "bridge" place I had been telling her about.

But don't let anyone tell you there is no hope, find a good holistic vet and try these things that we did...it paid off for us and our Hannah. Good Luck to both of you and I do hope you can find some help for both of your babies.

 

[high octane]

I understand. Yesterday I picked up a prescription for aminocaproic acid (EACA) and n-acetylcysteine (NAC) for Vex. He is 12 and just diagnosed although I feel he has had DM for the better part of 6 mths. I mistook the symptoms of DM for the arthritis that he already had. Vex has his good days and his bad but his spirit remains and he is in no pain. The DM only affects his hind end so far, hopefully this cocktail of meds will put him into remission. I've got my fingers crossed for Tucker and Vex!

 

[pabrader]

Thank you all for the responses. Tucker is maybe a bit better with the new round of meds. I think he is feeling a little better and is a tiny bit stronger but is still stumbling. He has jumped up on the bed a couple of times to go to sleep with us and it just made my day! Of course the next day it is impossible for him for him to do it. I've got another appt with my vet next week.

I found a really good website on DM and there is a Vet researcher at the U of FL who has come up with a "rule in" test for DM. It has always been diagnosed by ruling out other issues. I'm considering getting T tested (and it only requires a $50 donation to the university) rather than put him through the pain and risk of the more invasive tests. Here is the website if you are interested. He also has a diet and supplementation plan that is similar to what some of you have done for your babies - so you were on the right track. There are some drugs also that can be helpful.

http://www.mzjf.com/test.html

Thanks again for all the responses and I'd appreciate any feedback you might have on the website.

Patti

 

[Elyse]

Patti, I am so happy to hear Tucker is doing a touch better, well enough to get up on that bed where he belongs. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you especially since he is still a little boy. Sending tons of <<<<<positive vibes>>>>> and a great big (((HUG))).

 

[debbie knowles]

That very interesting Patti...it looks like great strides have been made in the last few years and that just thrills me! Good Luck and we'll be thinking of you and Tucker.

 

[KonaKoffe]

My KOKO was diagnosed 3 yrs ago with DM ( she is 13 yrs now)so the time frame of progression can vary. Now she spends her time on our couch as she can no longer walk but she does not show signs of pain. I think she enjoys being catered to.
She eats and drinks well and the other end functions normally too (no incontinence). We take her out to potty (we have to properly squat position her and fully support her). She takes it in stride! Not sure she would be doing to much more at 13 yrs than sleep most of the day anyways. I think we are the ones who had to make the bigger adjustments.

 

[pabrader]

Just wanted to update you and thank all of you for the comments and kinds thoughts for Tucker.

I have been so stressed out over all this... Last Thursday morning I woke up at 3am and couldn't hear Tucker breathing (snoring) under the bed. I reached under and couldn't feel him breathing, he didn't respond to my voice or me pulling on his legs. He started snoring again and I decided in my mind that he must have a brain tumor instead of DM and was in a coma. I was getting dressed when my husband woke up and I told him what was happening. He yelled at Tuck and out he came, bleary eyed and ready for breakfast. As you can imagine, my husband thought I was dreaming...

When I got home from work on Friday Tucker met me at the door and was walking normally. He steadily improved all weekend including getting back up on the bed, and talking to me again. He is apparantly responding, finally, to his anti-biotics and steroids, and must have been sufferring the effects of a tick bite which we were "ruling out".

I feel ssooooo fortunate and wanted to share it with you, while at the same time I'm going to wait another week before I feel totally confident that it was the tick bite and not DM. KonaKoffe, you told me it didn't sound like DM because of how fast it was coming on, I'm very hopeful now that you are right. Or could this be just some "good days"? I'm still scared the symptoms will come back...

To those of you who are dealing with the effects of DM and your pups, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. I will be sending a donation to U of Florida and Dr. Clemmems to support his reasearch in DM in your honor.

Thanks again,
Patti

 

[debbie knowles]

Good News...Glad Tucker is feeling better and I will continue to keep him in my heart and prayers for continued improvement and a very long, healthy and happy life.