As the symptoms progress you will begin to see worsening signs of weakness and dragging the hindlimbs on the ground or floor. Urinary and/or fecal incontinence occur very late in the course of the disease You may also note a hoarseness or loss of volume to the bark. Problems: Increasing difficulty with walking More extensive damage to the feet Loss of mobility Incontinence Quality of life issues Helpful Tools: A combination front and rear harness will help as the paralysis increases A wheelchair or cart will significantly improve a dog’s mobility and quality of life Aquatic therapy is very effective at this stage for maintaining forelimb muscle mass and quality of life. You will have to learn how to either express your dog’s bladder or catheterize the bladder daily You will have to check your dog and his bed daily to avoid urine scalding since they may not be able to avoid voiding on themselves or their bed This would be the first stage at which, because of quality of life issues (for both you the owner and the dog), euthanasia might be considered. End stage (3-6 months) In the very late stages of the disease progression is more rapid and you will see forelimb involvement with muscle mass loss to the shoulders and forelimbs. As the disease progresses, your dog will develop weakness in all 4 legs. Eventually, your dog will be unable to stand or walk. There may be residual head movement at this stage and they will not be able to remain sternal (on their belly) without assistance. The disease will then progress to the brain stem and eventually to the cranial nerves which may affect breathing. The nervous system’s spinal cord and brain stem are the only structures affected by DM. However weakness from DM can have secondary effects such as decubitus ulcers (pressure sores), systemic infections, and urinary tract infections due to urine retention. There can be kidney, lung and heart failure. Death from DM results from multisystem failure.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:49:38 +0000
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