Degenerative Myleopathy

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs.

The disease has an insidious onset typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. The affected dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag the feet. This can first occur in one hind limb and then affect the other. As the disease progresses, the limbs become weak and the dog begins to buckle and has difficulty standing. The weakness gets progressively worse until the dog is unable to walk.

Possible Test Results :

• Clear
• Carrier
• Double Carrier - At Risk
• Hereditary Clear
• Hereditary Carrier
• Hereditary Double Carrier - At Risk

Degenerative Myleopathy is a mandatory test for the following breeds :

• Canadian Eskimo Dog
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Degenerative Myleopathy is a recommended test for the following breeds :

• Australian Shepherd
• Borzoi
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever
• German Shepherd Dog
• Hungarian Pumi
• Mastiff
• Miniature American Shepherd
• Miniature Poodle
• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
• Pyrenean Mastiff
• Rough Collie
• Toy Poodle
• White Swiss Shepherd Dog

Degenerative Myleopathy is an optional test for the following breeds :

• Cocker Spaniel
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Rottweiler
• Smooth Collie
• Standard Poodle