© UWSSA 2007 all rights reserved
a symbology design
All photos & text are the property of UWSSA. Contact us for permission to use anything on this website. We are not affiliated with any other orgsnisation unless specifically stated.
Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise is important to help prevent chronic degenerative diseases.
Many studies in human beings have demonstrated improved muscle performance, memory and cerebral blood flow in patients who undertake aerobic exercise.
Exercise is extremely important for maintaining the wellbeing of the dog; maximising muscle tone and maintaining good circulation and conditioning.
Two forms of exercise seem the most useful: walking and swimming. Both have their merits and they may not be exclusive. Swimming increases muscle tone and allows movement without stress on joints. Walking helps build strength.
In older patients, particularly those with arthritis, gradually build the exercise program. And allow a day of rest between heavy workouts can help the patient recover faster from the exercise.
Running loose on the owner's property is not adequate; regular periods of programmed continuous exercise are the most important. It is equally important the patient rests on the day exercise is not programmed. This will allow strained muscles and tendons to heal and increase the build up of muscle strength.
Many DM patients remain functional because of exercise alone. Make sure your pet gets their exercise if they are hospitalised or kennelled for any period of time.
Regular aerobic exercise is important to help prevent chronic degenerative diseases.
Many studies in human beings have demonstrated improved muscle performance, memory and cerebral blood flow in patients who undertake aerobic exercise.
Exercise is extremely important for maintaining the wellbeing of the dog; maximising muscle tone and maintaining good circulation and conditioning.
Two forms of exercise seem the most useful: walking and swimming. Both have their merits and they may not be exclusive. Swimming increases muscle tone and allows movement without stress on joints. Walking helps build strength.
In older patients, particularly those with arthritis, gradually build the exercise program. And allow a day of rest between heavy workouts can help the patient recover faster from the exercise.
Running loose on the owner's property is not adequate; regular periods of programmed continuous exercise are the most important. It is equally important the patient rests on the day exercise is not programmed. This will allow strained muscles and tendons to heal and increase the build up of muscle strength.
Many DM patients remain functional because of exercise alone. Make sure your pet gets their exercise if they are hospitalised or kennelled for any period of time.
The information on this page was taken from an article written by R.M. Clemmons, DVM, Ph; Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Small Animal Clinical Sciences. The full version is here
The Disease
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) was first described as a specific degenerative neurologic disease in 1973. Since then, much research has been done into how the disease works and into its treatment.
It can start in dogs from 5 to 14 years old. Although a few cases have been reported in other large breeds, the disease appears with frequency only in the German Shepherd breed (of which white shepherds are derived from). This suggests there is a genetic predisposition for German shepherd dogs (GSD) to develop DM.
It is currently not known whether the exact condition exists in other breeds of dogs. Many dogs may experience a spinal cord disease (myelopathy) which is chronic and progressive (degenerative); but, unless they are caused by the same immune-related disease which characterises DM of GSD, the treatments described herein may be ineffectual.
This provides a logical explanation for the presence of immune abnormalities in GSD with DM.
While the cause of the altered immune system is not known, what is increasingly clear is that DM is caused by an autoimmune disease attacking the nervous systems of patients, leading to progressive neural tissue damage.
In many respects, DM is similar to what has been discovered about the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis in human beings.
In fact, based upon new data concerning the pathology of MS, we can now say with some degree of certainty that DM is MS in dogs. We believe that, due to some triggering factor, immune-complexes circulate.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) was first described as a specific degenerative neurologic disease in 1973. Since then, much research has been done into how the disease works and into its treatment.
It can start in dogs from 5 to 14 years old. Although a few cases have been reported in other large breeds, the disease appears with frequency only in the German Shepherd breed (of which white shepherds are derived from). This suggests there is a genetic predisposition for German shepherd dogs (GSD) to develop DM.
It is currently not known whether the exact condition exists in other breeds of dogs. Many dogs may experience a spinal cord disease (myelopathy) which is chronic and progressive (degenerative); but, unless they are caused by the same immune-related disease which characterises DM of GSD, the treatments described herein may be ineffectual.
This provides a logical explanation for the presence of immune abnormalities in GSD with DM.
While the cause of the altered immune system is not known, what is increasingly clear is that DM is caused by an autoimmune disease attacking the nervous systems of patients, leading to progressive neural tissue damage.
In many respects, DM is similar to what has been discovered about the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis in human beings.
In fact, based upon new data concerning the pathology of MS, we can now say with some degree of certainty that DM is MS in dogs. We believe that, due to some triggering factor, immune-complexes circulate.
Dogs shown on the health pages do no have any diseases to our knowledge. They are purely to llustrate healthy dogs and puppies.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made using a history of progressive spinal ataxia and weakness that may come or go or be steadily progressive. This is supported by the neurologic findings of a diffuse thoracolumbar spinal cord dysfunction.
Clinical pathologic examinations are generally normal except for an elevated cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) protein in the lumbar cistern.
Electromyographic (EMG) examination reveals no lower motor unit disease, supporting the localisation of the disease process in the white matter pathways of the spinal cord. Spinal cord evoked potentials recorded during the EMG do show changes which help determine the presence of spinal cord disease.
Radiographs of the spinal column including myelography are normal (other than old age changes) in uncomplicated DM. Unfortunately, myelography can be associated with worsening of clinical signs and carries some degree of risk for certain patients.
Dogs afflicted with DM have depressed lymphocyte blastogenesis to plant mitogens. The depression of their cell mediated immune responses correlates with the clinical stage and severity of the disease.
The gross pathologic examination of dogs with DM generally is not contributory toward the diagnosis. The striking features being the reduction of rear limb and caudal axial musculature.
The microscopic neural tissue lesions consist of widespread demyelination of the spinal cord, with the greatest concentration of lesions in the thoracolumbar spinal cord region. In the thoracic spinal cord, nearly all funiculi are vacuolated.
Similar lesions are occasionally seen scattered throughout the white matter of the brains from some dogs, as well. Many patients have evidence of plasma cell infiltrates in the kidneys on throughout the gastrointestinal tract, providing a hint to the underlying immune disorder causing DM.
Diagnosis is made using a history of progressive spinal ataxia and weakness that may come or go or be steadily progressive. This is supported by the neurologic findings of a diffuse thoracolumbar spinal cord dysfunction.
Clinical pathologic examinations are generally normal except for an elevated cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) protein in the lumbar cistern.
Electromyographic (EMG) examination reveals no lower motor unit disease, supporting the localisation of the disease process in the white matter pathways of the spinal cord. Spinal cord evoked potentials recorded during the EMG do show changes which help determine the presence of spinal cord disease.
Radiographs of the spinal column including myelography are normal (other than old age changes) in uncomplicated DM. Unfortunately, myelography can be associated with worsening of clinical signs and carries some degree of risk for certain patients.
Dogs afflicted with DM have depressed lymphocyte blastogenesis to plant mitogens. The depression of their cell mediated immune responses correlates with the clinical stage and severity of the disease.
The gross pathologic examination of dogs with DM generally is not contributory toward the diagnosis. The striking features being the reduction of rear limb and caudal axial musculature.
The microscopic neural tissue lesions consist of widespread demyelination of the spinal cord, with the greatest concentration of lesions in the thoracolumbar spinal cord region. In the thoracic spinal cord, nearly all funiculi are vacuolated.
Similar lesions are occasionally seen scattered throughout the white matter of the brains from some dogs, as well. Many patients have evidence of plasma cell infiltrates in the kidneys on throughout the gastrointestinal tract, providing a hint to the underlying immune disorder causing DM.
Main Menu
Articles
Degenerative Myelopathy in White Shepherds
