Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a neurological disease that is thought to be caused by a genetic mutation. This disease initially results in paralysis of the hind limbs, which can progress to all limbs.
SOD1
Autosomal recessive
In early stages, the symptoms of DM resemble those of osteoarthritis, which often occurs secondary to hip dysplasia in many large dog breeds. In later stages of the disease, the progressive weakness (including skeletal muscle weakness) and ataxia (wobbling, stumbling) distinguish it from osteoarthritis of the hip joints. Other issues associated with this condition include spinal injuries, spinal tumors, narrowing of the spinal canal (lumbosacral stenosis), fibrocartilaginous embolism, and bacterial or fungal infection of the intervertebral disks and the adjacent vertebral bones (discospondylitis).
This disease may be suspected based on breed, medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. X-rays and other spinal imaging techniques can help rule out other conditions, such as hip dysplasia and chronic arthritis, most often during the initial stages of degenerative myelopathy.
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Pfahler S, Bachmann N, Fechler C, Lempp C, BaumgÀrtner W, Distl O. Degenerative myelopathy in a SOD1 compound heterozygous Bernese mountain dog. Anim Genet. 2014 Apr;45(2):309-10. doi: 10.1111/age.12118. Epub 2014 Jan 23. PMID: 24450472.
Ivansson EL, Megquier K, Kozyrev SV, Murén E, Körberg IB, Swofford R, Koltookian M, Tonomura N, Zeng R, Kolicheski AL, Hansen L, Katz ML, Johnson GC, Johnson GS, Coates JR, Lindblad-Toh K. Variants within the SP110 nuclear body protein modify risk of canine degenerative myelopathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 May 31;113(22):E3091-100. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1600084113. Epub 2016 May 16. PMID: 27185954; PMCID: PMC4896683.
Mandrioli L, Gandini G, Gentilini F, Chiocchetti R, Turba ME, Avallone G, Pellegrino V, Menchetti M, Kobatake Y, Kamishina H, Cantile C. Degenerative Myelopathy in Hovawart Dogs: Molecular Characterization, Pathological Features and Accumulation of Mutant Superoxide Dismutase 1 Protein. J Comp Pathol. 2021 Jan;182:37-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.11.006. Epub 2020 Dec 15. PMID: 33494906.
Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.
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