German Shepherd Degenerative Myelopathy

German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy

German Shepherd breeding has brought the creation of millions of new dogs. This breed is prone to many diseases, one of them is German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy, which may be confused with several other health conditions. This disorder is also known as “Melt” and is a canine version of diabetes. Diabetes in dogs has always been associated with renal failure, but this condition can appear suddenly and without any symptoms.

Myelopathy can affect any dog, but it commonly occurs in German Shepherds. To make a diagnosis, your veterinarian should take your dog’s history, do a physical examination, and request urine and blood samples. Blood tests will provide results regarding the levels of glycogen in your canine’s system.

These test results will determine if there is an accumulation (swelling) of glycogen in the affected areas of the kidney, pancreas, liver, or eye. If the test indicates glycogen to build up, your veterinarian will most likely recommend your dog undergo laser therapy or physical therapy, to remove the excess glycogen from the affected areas.

As previously stated, German Shepherds are prone to this disease, and it typically shows up in one of four forms: german shepherd dementia, frontal atrophy, axillary fibrosis, or mixed disorders. The majority of these symptoms will develop gradually over time, with just a few showing full-blownopathy at the onset.

Symptoms that appear in later stages can include drooling, seizures, excessive licking, excessive limping or difficulty breathing, depression, diarrhea, excessive weight loss, poor appetite, and severe coat shedding. Your veterinarian can perform a complete physical exam and identify any symptoms of German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy.

There are various treatment options available to German Shepherd owners who suffer from German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy.

Depending on the severity of the disease, your veterinarian may suggest aminocaproic acid, diet, vitamin supplements, or surgical treatment. Treatment can be administered either intravenously, via an injection, or orally in a tablet form. Unfortunately, none of these options is without potential side effects, and some dogs have been reported to have difficulty swallowing the aminocaproic acid and lose appetite and gain weight rather rapidly.

If the diet is not an effective treatment for German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy, your veterinarian may prescribe a combination of medicines. These include a special diet formulated for your dog’s age and breed; medications to help suppress the immune system; drugs to address inherited genetic diseases; and antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infection.

In cases of hereditary myelopathy, your veterinarian may recommend debridement, or removal of the deformed tissue, in addition to the regular care given to young dogs. Because German Shepherds are at high risk for developing necrotizing myelopathy, they also may be required to take a vitamin A derivative. Fluorine is often prescribed in combination with these other treatments.

Although genetic diseases can’t be prevented, you can take steps to avoid them. German Shepherd owners should be diligent about checking their dogs for symptoms of this disease and should be aware of common conditions such as fever, excessive scratching, loss of appetite, constant licking, mouth rot, and excess gas. Some of these conditions can indicate other, more serious underlying issues. Your veterinarian can provide more specific information about the various forms of German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy.

Although many of the symptoms of German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy can be treated with conventional veterinary medicine, your veterinarian may suggest the use of canine harnesses instead.

Canine harnesses have been known to alleviate many of the more severe physical signs of the disease. In fact, many physical signs such as excessive grooming, rapid weight loss, and excessive activity have been shown to improve when a canine harness is used. German Shepherds that wear canines also seem to be less anxious overall, which can make owning a long-term partner easier.

Depending on the severity of your dog’s disease, treatment can range from simply improving the health of the joints to the complete removal of the joint. Because this type of dog disease frequently occurs in the first four years of a dog’s life, the earlier the disease is detected and treatment begins, the better your dog’s chances of living a long and healthy life.

Your veterinarian will likely treat your German Shepherd with anti-inflammatory medication and may also prescribe an injection of a corticosteroid. If the disease has advanced, there is a good chance that your veterinarian will recommend the use of a corticosteroid in conjunction with another form of treatment for German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy.