Degenerative Myelopathy, DM

• Talk to your vet about your dog’s degenerative myelopathy result, as it may influence how they monitor your dog’s mobility and overall health, especially in their senior years.
• Keep your dog active with regular, low-impact exercise to help them maintain a healthy weight and support their mobility.
• Watch for changes in movement, such as wobbling, reluctance to jump, or dragging their back paws, and consult your vet if you notice any of these signs.
• Provide good traction in your home with rugs or mats to help prevent slipping as your dog ages. If mobility becomes difficult, ask your vet about supportive devices such as harnesses or wheelchairs.

This mutation was first identified in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Please note that this mutation is reported to have incomplete penetrance: that is, while a dog with two copies of this mutation has a much greater chance of developing DM than a dog with one or zero copies of the mutation, other genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of the disease.

This health condition affects the following breeds

• Airedale Terrier

  

• American Eskimo Dog

  

• American Water Spaniel

  

• Australian Shepherd

  

• Bernese Mountain Dog

  

• Bloodhound

  

• Borzoi

  

• Boxer

  

• Boykin Spaniel

  

• Cardigan Welsh Corgi

  

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  

• Chesapeake Bay Retriever

  

• Collie

  

• Czechoslovakian Vlcak

  

• English Springer Spaniel

  

• Wire Fox Terrier

  

• German Shepherd Dog

  

• Glen of Imaal Terrier

  

• Golden Retriever

  

• Great Pyrenees

  

• Kerry Blue Terrier

  

• Komondor

  

• Labrador Retriever

  

• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

  

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi

  

• Poodle (Standard)

  

• Pug

  

• Rhodesian Ridgeback

  

• Russell-type Terrier

  

• Saarloos Wolfdog

  

• Shetland Sheepdog

  

• Shiloh Shepherd

  

• Siberian Husky

  

• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

  

• White Shepherd