<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I just received my German Shepherd Dog Update From Pruina. Headlines: "Scientists Seek Better Understanding of Degenerative Myelopathy(DM) a potentially debilitating neurological condition that can eventually paralyze its vvictims, occurs with relative Frequency in German Shepherd Dogs. Unfortunately, the cause of (DM) remains unknown althought researaches in both clinical and basic seiences are working to find answers"

I read and reread this article, and read it again, Why the interest? I just lost my beloved brother to ALS (Lou Gehrigs)disease. There are more simularties than I dared to think about. How it starts, how it progresses, and all to sad how it ends. With total paralysis, and ending in respiratory failure.

I can only tell you as a young student nurse in the 50's I saw my first ALS patient, I will never forget her. The sad truth is they do not know any more about ALS now than they did back then. So I am not to hopeful that they will find a cure soon with the (DM), the other thing that was mentioned that there are NO test that are known to determine what dog will come down with this, and therefor breeders continue to breed not knowing if their line will have this or not,because it does not show up usually until between 5 and 9 years of age.

If anyone has any more information I would appreciate hearing about it.

I would be more than happy to mail anyone who would like a copy of this research paper. I have tried sending this via my scanner, and I can't.

My e-mail address is : pooky1@fidnet.com<br />
Please feel free to contact me.

Joyce M. Burrows

I lost my father to ALS 5 years ago. I had gotten my GSD, Chance, when I found out my dad was ill. 2 years after my father died, Chance was diagnosed with DM, at a very young age, 4 years.
I am on a site that just changed their site,
dmsupport@smartgroups.com.
I was devestated to find out I was going to watch my "best friend" go through what my dad had.
Chance is on 2 prescription RX's and mulitple natural supplements. He got his SchII and III after he was diagnosed and we try to educate people in the beginning signs. Check out that group and if you have problems logging in, hollar and we will help.
This disease is often misdiagnosed as HD, but there is no pain associated with it. Saddly, most dogs aren't diagnosed until long after they have been bred, and it is genetically linked. Chance's brother and 1/2 brother have already been lost to it. Many breeders are fighting the gathering of pedigrees of DM dogs. Better to hide your head in the sand than admit there might be something in your lines. OOPS. Mustn't get nasty. But the people I got my dog from couldn't have cared less.
Chance is doing great at the age of 7 1/2 years young. Just found out he's mildy diabetic, but we can handle it. Enough rambling. CH

Dear Cathy,

Thank you for the reply on DM, I did try to log on to dmsupport@smartgroups.com and was unable to do so.

It is really sad that people want to put their head in the sand and not be responsible breeders. There is a saying that I used many years ago when I was doing a small amount of breeding, with horses and dogs. "IF YOU CAN"T ENHANCE IT, DON'T CHANCE IT" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

It did my heart good to know that your dog was able to be helped with the diet, and supplements.

Sincerely, Joyce M. Borrows