Just recently two of my patients have been diagnosed with canine DM. In order to provide more information on how alternative medicine, herbs and supplements can help I have created a Squidoo lens http://www.squidoo.com/canine-DM-acupuncture

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A dog with degenerative myelopathy often stands with its legs close together and may not correct an unusual foot position due to a lack of conscious proprioception

Canine degenerative myelopathy (also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy)

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 7 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs.

As of July 15, 2008 the mutated gene responsible for DM has been found present in 43 breeds including German Shepherds and both breeds of Welsh Corgis.[1] The disease is chronic and progressive, and can result in the animals inability to recognize its extremities, thereby rendering it paralyzed.

The myelin is an insulating sheath around neurons in the spinal cord. One proposed cause of degenerative myelopathy is that the immune system attacks this sheath, breaking it down. This results in a loss of communication between nerves in lower body of the animal and the brain. The disease usually manifests between the ages of seven and fourteen.”

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