• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
dogwheelchairlife_logo

Dog Wheelchair Life

Teaching people to care for a paralyzed dog

  • Home
  • Resource Page
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Resource Page
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • IVDD
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Daily Care
  • Resources
  • Amazon Favorites
  • IVDD
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Daily Care
  • Resources
  • Amazon Favorites
Oscar the dog with Degenerative Myelopathy

My Dog Was Diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy

Home » Blog » My Dog Was Diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy
February 15, 2023 by Sharon Seltzer
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Oscar's story, by Sue Torres+−
    • Life with DM
    • The final days
  • Facts about Degenerative Myelopathy+−
    • Here are a few facts about DM that pet owners should know:
    • Here are the common early symptoms of DM:
  • Read more:
Oscar the dog with Degenerative Myelopathy

When a fellow animal writer asked if I wanted to talk with a pet mom about life after her dog was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. It was a chance to get answers to questions that I’m often asked by pet parents who are worried they won’t be able to take care of their pet.  

I quickly reached out to introduce myself to pet mom, Sue Torres.  Then during our conversation, I learned that Sue is a snowbird who spends her winters just outside of my hometown of Las Vegas. We both realized this was probably the real reason our mutual friend, Lauren, wanted us to meet.

Sue explained that several years ago, her treasured dog Oscar, started to show the early symptoms of Degenerative Myelopathy. In Oscar’s case, the signs started with a slight limp in his hind leg that progressively got worse. Over the next 3 years, Sue and her family dealt with all of the ups and downs of the condition.

For readers who aren’t familiar with Degenerative Myelopathy, the disease is a painless, but progressive illness that attacks a dog’s spinal cord. The condition is similar and often compared to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Louis Gehrig’s Disease; which is seen in humans.

The symptoms of DM start with weakness in a dog’s hind legs. Eventually the rear limbs become paralyzed. The symptoms then move to the front limbs. Dogs become incontinent as the disease progresses and ultimately the DM attacks the respiratory system and other organs.

Dogs typically succumb to DM in 2-3 years. The majority of victims are senior large breed dogs, like German shepherds and Boxers. But DM also strikes Corgi’s and a growing number of other dog breeds. 

Oscar’s story, by Sue Torres

Oscar the dog who was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy
Oscar.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I got what I had wanted my whole life – my very own dog. In 1981, at the age of 26, I bought my first house, and my first dog Emily came with it. The family was moving and couldn’t take her, so she stayed. Emily was mine for the next sixteen years.

She passed on August 1, 1997. By now I also had a son and a daughter ages 12 and 8. Eleven months to the day after Emily left us, my kids convinced me to stop at the local shelter to “look at the dogs.” A few hours later we were on our way home with Oscar.

Even though I wasn’t really ready for another dog, he made my kids so happy and, in the way, only dogs can Oscar won me over. As far as we could tell he was a shepherd/husky mix and was said to be about eight months old.

For the next thirteen years he was part of our family. He went everywhere with us. He traveled with us on vacations and went to the kids’ sporting events. Other spectators often told us that if Oscar wasn’t there things just somehow didn’t feel right. There wasn’t a single person he met who didn’t love Oscar. One day, when he was about ten or eleven, we noticed he was walking with a slight limp. Over time it got worse. Our vet thought it was just age-related arthritis, but we knew our dog and we knew it was more than that. It had become clear that he was losing the use of his hind legs. I began doing some research and also changed to a new vet and the consensus was that Oscar had developed Degenerative Myelopathy (DM).

Life with DM

It was like a punch to the gut when I learned that this was a progressive disease and there was no cure. Immediately I began reading everything I could about DM and began adding various vitamins and supplements to his meals.

Although there was a test for DM, we opted not to do it as the result would not have really changed anything. Instead, we began physical therapy with him. He went several times a week for water therapy and we were given exercises to do with him at home, which we did several times a day.

Even with all of that, mobility was becoming more and more difficult for him, so we took him to get fitted for wheels. As hard as it was for us to accept that he was losing the ability to walk on his own, it was even harder for Oscar. He absolutely hated the wheels and refused to walk with them. We kept trying and trying and one day, lo and behold, he just took off and both his life and ours changed for the better.

The wheels gave us two more good years with him until his front legs also started to fail him and he let us know it was okay to let him go.

The final days

Oscar the dog diagnosed with DM and his buddy.
Buddies.

Oscar was truly remarkable. He was friends with everyone, both two legged and four legged. In his last few days, he did a farewell tour of the neighborhood in his wheels so everyone could say goodbye to him. There wasn’t anyone he met whose life he didn’t touch.

Caring for a disabled pet is truly a full-time job but for us it was a labor of love. Oscar was family and we would have done anything to make his life the best it could be. Once we knew what we were dealing with there was never a question that we would do whatever it took – after all, this is what we do for those we love. He was brave and smart and we knew without question that he loved us with all his heart. He deserved that same love from us – his family.

Since Oscar we have had and loved other dogs. Our experience with him taught us patience and compassion for all living beings. He taught us to embrace life and to welcome each day with joy and appreciation.

We hope that wherever he is now he knows that we will always remember him with admiration and great love.

Facts about Degenerative Myelopathy

Oscar the dog with DM and his bunny.
Oscar and his bunny.

DM is a disease that’s close to my heart, just as it was for Sue and her family. It was the condition my dog Sophie was suspected of having and it’s the reason I started teaching pet owners how to care for a paralyzed dog. It’s the reason I started dogwheelchairlife.com.

Here are a few facts about DM that pet owners should know:

  • DM causes paralysis by slowly attacking a dog’s central nervous system. It strips away a protective coating in the spine called myelin which is responsible for movement.
  • Dogs typically show the first signs of DM between the ages of 8-14 years old.
  • Researchers have identified a genetic mutation responsible for DM. The gene is called SOD1. An at-home DNA test is available from the ofa.org. It will identify whether a dog has one of two copies of this gene. Dogs with two copies are the most likely to develop DM.

A list of dog breeds prone to Degenerative Myelopathy has also been identified. More breeds are added each year.

Here are the most common dog breeds that develop DM:

  • American Eskimo Dogs
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs
  • Borzoi
  • Boxers
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi
  • Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
  • German Shepherd Dog
  • Golden Retriever
  • Great Pyrenees
  • Irish Setters
  • Kerry Blue Terriers
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis
  • Poodle
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback
  • Shetland Sheepdog
  • Soft Coated Wheaton Terriers
  • Wire Fox Terrier

Here are the common early symptoms of DM:

  • Weakness in the hind limbs that gets progressively worse
  • Difficulty getting up from the floor
  • Wobbly legs
  • Walks by swaying the hips
  • Worn down nails
  • Knuckles under the back paws
  • Dragging the back feet
  • Tremors or spasms in the hind leg
  • Paralysis of the back legs

Read more:

Nutrition to Slow the Progression of Degenerative Myelopathy

Laser Therapy Prolongs the Lives of Degenerative Myelopathy Dogs

How Sophie Joined Our Family

Learn about research studies at Shade Out DM.

Dog Wheelchair LIFE Amazon Shop
Click here for the Dog Wheelchair LIFE Shop.

Our new eBook

Click here to learn more.

About Sharon Seltzer

I’m a blogger, professional writer and co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. I’m also a pet mom who’s raised 9 dogs, 6 cats and lots of other critters. When my dog Sophie became paralyzed in 2008, it was a lonely experience. It took months to find all of the resources to help her live a quality life. My mission is to share those services with other pet owners and to teach people how to care for a disabled dog.

You May Also Like

Oscar the dog with Degenerative Myelopathy

My Dog Was Diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy

Corgi dogs are prone to Degenerative Myelopathy

Nutrition to Slow the Progression of Degenerative Myelopathy

Boxer's are a dog breed prone to Degenerative Myelopathy

Advanced Imaging Study for Dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy

German shepherd on floor in living room

Laser Therapy Prolongs the Lives of Degenerative Myelopathy Dogs

Previous Post:Support group chartThe Power of Support Groups for Pet Owners
Next Post:9 Best Elevated Dog Bowls for Pets with Mobility ProblemsPoodle eating in wheelchair from an elevated dog food bowl

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alissa Beveridge

    March 5, 2023 at 3:20 am

    I have a l/XL wheelchair with a new harness and new bolts that I would love to give away (free)– I just don’t want to pay shipping

    Reply
    • Sharon Seltzer

      March 6, 2023 at 7:31 pm

      Alissa, The best place to donate a cart is through Gunnar’s Wheels, but they require you to pay for shipping. The other groups donate new wheelchairs and don’t accept used ones. Otherwise, you might reach out to a local canine rehab facility or a special needs rescue group in your area. I’m sure both would be glad to accept a used cart.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Sophie-on-grass
Join Our Newsletter and Receive the Essential Guide of Products For Handicapped Dogs

Essential Guide of Products
Click Here for the E-Book

Walkabout Harnesses – Mobility Products For Dogs
My favorite harnesses for disabled dogs.
My favorite harnesses for disabled dogs.

HandicappedPets.com
walkin-all-pet-products[1]

Must-Read Articles
German shepherds are prone to Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs: What Pet Owners Should Know

Josie the dog doing physical therapy

9 Dog Physical Therapy Exercises You Can Do At Home

Longhair dachshund with IVDD

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs: Understanding the Condition


Barkertime Products for Incontinent Dogs
Barkertime-collage

Recent Posts

  • 9 Best Elevated Dog Bowls for Pets with Mobility Problems
  • My Dog Was Diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy
  • The Power of Support Groups for Pet Owners
  • How to Get Rid of Smelly Washable Dog Diaper Odors
  • The Changing Station: Device to Help Paralyzed Dogs Stand

Recent Comments

  • Sharon Seltzer on Organizations That Donate Dog Wheelchairs to Pet Families
  • Karen Hankers on Organizations That Donate Dog Wheelchairs to Pet Families
  • Sharon Seltzer on How to Get Rid of Smelly Washable Dog Diaper Odors
  • Rachel L Sumrell on How to Get Rid of Smelly Washable Dog Diaper Odors
  • Sharon Seltzer on Dog Birth Defects: 5 Conditions That Stop Puppies From Walking

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020

Categories

  • Daily Care
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • IVDD
  • Other Spine Problems
  • Resources

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

DogWheelchairLife.com is a blog that teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. As the owner, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. These are affiliate programs designed for sites to earn advertising fees (commissions) by linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate and Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, visit the Affiliate Disclosure page

We Are A Resource for Pet Owners

Dog Wheelchair LIFE teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. This is not a medical site and I am not a veterinarian. I am a blogger and pet mom who was the caretaker for Sophie, a paraplegic dog. I’m also a co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society in Las Vegas, NV and an animal writer who has contributed to websites and magazines.

The information shared on this site is based on my personal experience and the research I do for each story. Please do not use the content from this blog in place of professional veterinary care.

Articles from this site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from me, Sharon Seltzer.

Join Our List

  • Legal/Privacy
  • About
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 · Dog Wheelchair Life · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Solution

Close Popup

Join our newsletter and get my free e-book

Essential Guide of Products For Handicapped Dogs!