Rocky has DSM (degenerative spinal myelopothy...help!

[Towo]

My (approx.) 9 yr old boxer was diagnosed with DSM in Feb. '07, and has deteriorated over the last 8 months. I have tried everything recommended....medecines from the U. of Fl. (aminocaprioic acid,etc.), acupuncture, infrared light therapy, lots of vitamins and suppliments....
Does anyone have suggestions of further treatment? He is now at the stage where he has difficulty standing up and walking is uncoordinated and difficult.

For those who don't know what this is.....it is a neurological disease similar to MS in humans. It has only been studied in German Shepherds, but I was told by the neurologist that it has been discovered in boxers and R. ridgebacks in the last 5 years. The only good part to it is that Rocky is healty, otherwise, and does not feel pain or discomfort....just frustration at not being able to get around without falling down. :-(

Any suggestions will be appreciated.
thx

 

[RoxiesEcho]

I lost my german shepherd to this in August of 2006. My only suggestion is to love him and treat everyday as the best ever. It is a very sad disease and took our Roxie way to quickly. You are doing the things that we did and truly the only thing you can do is try to make him comfortable. Rocky and your family will be in my thoughts.

 

[Slobberchops]

Sorry to hear about Rocky,glad to hear he's not in any pain.

 

[Jan]

I am sorry to hear that Rocky has DSM. It's a nasty disease that is found occasionally in boxers. You might want to consider getting him a wheel chair for dogs. Dogs and can do very well with them and love getting their mobility back.

 

[Sargemomsept]

I lost my Taz to this August 2006. He also had spondylosis. We tried everything with Taz and nothing worked. The vet told us that at most he would have six months. He told us this in June. The best I can tell you is to love him with all you have and enjoy the time he has left. Taz wasn't in pain until the very end and he told me when it was his time to go. Hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my life!!!!!

Sarge and I have you in our thoughts and prayers

Heather
Mommy to Sarge-born 09/18/06
flashy, docked, floppy
In remembrance of Taz-01/11/96-08/05/06

 

[NTheDogHouse]

I've had two boxers in a row with DM. The first, Cooler, was put to rest at 8 1/2 years of age in 1995. Two days after Cooler was gone we bought Chance. Chance, was laid to rest last November at 11 1/2 years of age. We took the first boxer, Cooler, for extended treatments at the University of Missouri and didn't see any improvement. The second boxer, Chance, didn't receive the same treatment and did about the same. However, I guess we knew exactly what to expect with Chance since we had already been through it before. I kept Chance around for about 16 months after his first sign of a limp. The last month of Chances' life, he couldn't control his bowl movements and I knew it was time for him to go. I still carried him everywhere, including outside to potty.

Although we still have a boxer, Tyson, who is just over 10 years old we couldn't bring ourselves to get another one after Chance. We ended up getting a Great Dane puppy who it now 13 months old. I can't wait to get another boxer puppy since I love the breed so much. However, DM is a difficult thing to watch your loved one go through...especially two dogs in a row.

By the way, my boxers were from different bloodlines. Cooler was purchased from a breeder in North Carolina and Chance from a breeder in Missouri.

I'll say a prayer for you and your boxer. Love him while you can!

Rob Porter
Cape Girardeau, MO

 

[SherylM]

I'm so sorry to hear that Rocky has DM. My Jack also suffers from DM. He was diagnosed in May of this year ('07). We have not used the meds but he is on a lot of supplements. Are they working? I don't know. I hope so. He has progressed but he is still very mobile. He gets...a natural supplement from the health food store called Nature's Sunshine Mineral Chi Tonic, flax seed oil, vitamin B stresstabs, vitamin C, vitamin E and celenium. If you would like to know the dosage I could pass that on as well. What are you giving Rocky besides the meds? We just had a cart donated to him and have been working him into it slowly. Its and Eddie's wheels cart and its amazing! Because he is still mobile he is resistant to get into the cart. However he went for his first "real" walk last week with everyone and you could tell he was soooo happy trotting along in his cart! This is the first time he has been able to go for a walk in a couple of months so I was so happy to see him enjoying himself. He wears boots in the house upstairs to prevent him from slipping on the hardwood, we also have runners everywhere. When he is downstairs its all carpet so he takes the boots off. He also wears a boot outside to prevent scrapping of his toes. I am a member of an excellent support group for DM. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post about it though. If you are interested let me know. This is a horrible, horrible disease and I am so sorry that you are going through this, I'll be keeping you and Rocky in my prayers.