Summary
Degenerative myelopathy is a neurodegenerative disease that affects dogs in adulthood and has been demonstrated in many breeds. Initial spastic paraparesis of the upper motoneuron and general proprioceptive ataxia of the pelvic limbs progresses to flacid tetraparesis of the lower motoneuron. Recently, a mutation in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene has been identified as a risk factor for degenerative myelopathy. This article describes the current knowledge of degenerative myelopathy in dogs with respect to history, clinical signs, diagnosis and therapy. Finally, it describes a case of degenerative myelopathy in a Walking dog and its rehabilitation therapy.
Keywords: dog, degenerative myelopathy, paraparesis, ataxia, rehabilitation
