Degenerative myelopathy – these are the most common symptoms

In Part I of the blog series on degenerative myelopathy, you have already learned a lot of important information about the disease. This article is all about the symptoms of Degenerative Myelopathy. Degenerative myelopathy symptoms

Early detection of the disease is very important so that affected quadrupeds are treated as quickly as possible and the progress of the disease is delayed as much as possible. Therefore, one should be familiar with the main signs. Of course, these signs can also occur in connection with other diseases.
It is therefore very important to have your dog examined as soon as it shows one or more of the symptoms listed.

Degenerative myelopathy – the symptoms

At first, the dogs show problems with coordination of the hindquarters and they drag their claws.
In the further course of the disease, there is also more and more crossing of the hind legs, overkilling, tipping away and sinking in when turning.
Muscle tension forms in the overloaded areas.
Affected quadrupeds drag their hind legs due to progressive paralysis.
The dog shows uncoordinated movements of the hindquarters.
The self-perception of quadrupeds suffering from degenerative myelopathy is disturbed.
The reflexes are also disturbed.
Urinary and fecal incontinence occurs. Degenerative myelopathy symptoms

A dog may also show these symptoms in degenerative myelopathy:

Depending on the severity and stage, there is buckling on the hindquarters, neurological deficits and balance problems.
Claw/paw dragging – the claws are heavily worn.
Dogs show difficulty standing up or lying down.
Sick quadrupeds have coordination difficulties, for example, when lifting legs or shaking.
Sensory disturbances in the paws also occur.
Loss of musculature occurs.
Mobility is increasingly limited.
Another symptom is a tremor in the hind legs.
As the disease progresses, the dog then becomes completely paralyzed.
The course of the disease is absolutely painless.

Your dog shows several of the signs mentioned? Then you should definitely take them seriously and have your four-legged friend examined. Degenerative myelopathy symptoms

Even if degenerative myelopathy is not present, symptoms may indicate other musculoskeletal conditions, such as a herniated disc, spondylosis, or cauda equina compression syndrome.