Disease overview

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.

Gene name

SOD1

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

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).

How is it diagnosed

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.

Breeds at higher risk

, German Shepherd crosses, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,, ,

Citations

Awano T, Johnson GS, Wade CM, Katz ML, Johnson GC, Taylor JF, Perloski M, Biagi T, Baranowska I, Long S, March PA, Olby NJ, Shelton GD, Khan S, O'Brien DP, Lindblad-Toh K, Coates JR. Genome-wide association analysis reveals a SOD1 mutation in canine degenerative myelopathy that resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Feb 24;106(8):2794-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0812297106. Epub 2009 Feb 2. PMID: 19188595; PMCID: PMC2634802.

Wininger FA, Zeng R, Johnson GS, Katz ML, Johnson GC, Bush WW, Jarboe JM, Coates JR. Degenerative myelopathy in a Bernese Mountain Dog with a novel SOD1 missense mutation. J Vet Intern Med. 2011 Sep-Oct;25(5):1166-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0760.x. Epub 2011 Aug 16. PMID: 21848967.

Pfahler S, Bachmann N, Fechler C, Lempp C, Baumgärtner 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.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.