I am sick with worry now. I noticed a couple of weeks ago when I was trimming my dogs nails (I am bad, it has been a few months since the last trimming)that a couple of his left rear toenails were worn right down. I thought it bizarre and have since noticed at certain times he drags that leg while he walks, and sometimes holds it in a funny position. He has bilateral elbow dysplasia (for which he has had two surgeries) and our last shepherd had hip dysplasia, so I automatically thought it must be hip related. I made an appt for Friday for a bone specialist, the one who did his elbow surgeries.

Today, we were talking with a couple who mentioned their shepherd had degenerative myelopathy, and the toenail thing was their first clue. In doing more research, I am now sick to death my 2 1/2 yr old shepherd could have this. Although from what I've seen it tends to afflict older dogs. Also, I've always suspected vaccine reaction in this animal (no longer vaccinating him except rabies every three years, but that's up for discussion.) In researching on this site I see there is a possible link between vaccine reaction and this terrible disease! Is it possible one dog could go through so much hell?

Anyway, I am now thinking I should see my regular vet about this after all, before shelling out the big bucks for a specialist who may not be the right specialist. I know I need to just wait to see a vet, but I am sick about this. We all went through hell with the elbow surgeries, and only his left elbow successfully healed.

The aggression issues I've had with this dog are not gone but definately better. Nothing has come easy with him, there always seems to be a new frustrating development. This is more of a vent than anything...

 Quote: stephanie biros

.... Today, we were talking with a couple who mentioned their shepherd had degenerative myelopathy, and the toenail thing was their first clue. In doing more research, I am now sick to death my 2 1/2 yr old shepherd could have this. .... Anyway, I am now thinking I should see my regular vet about this after all, before shelling out the big bucks for a specialist ...

Stop! Breathe!

Sick with worry is not a good thing for your dog. Calm, normal, and upbeat -- the dependable pack leader.

Yes, you're right: Make the vet appointment as soon as you can and post back what you find out. (You want to know what it is, even though his age is such an unlikely DM age.)

http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0159.htm

The age of onset is generally over five, you probably know.

It's no longer true that only a "ruling out" of other maladies can diagnose DM. QUOTE: While there remains no one specific test for DM, there is a combination of tests which help confirm the diagnosis, while also looking for other diseases that may mimic its clinical signs or even co-exist with DM. END from vetmedicine.about.com

Stephanie,

Connie's right. Stop. Breathe. Calm. Appointment with your regular vet before seeing a specialist.

Your vet will screen for other possible problems that could be at play. Could be something (relatively) minor that's causing him to scuff his toenails on that foot. Rule out minor, and perhaps easily correctable, things before thinking about a specialist.

See your vet and let us know how it went. If things point to DM, I can get you some links to information and tell you of my experience with it.

First things first though. Calm. Breathe. See the vet.

There is also a genetic test now for DM for GSDs through OFA.

Don't panic even if it is DM. I had a dog that lived 8 years after diagnosis and there are lots of things you can do now to help a dog that is affected.

Thanks all for listening. I watch him constantly now, and realize he does seem to have trouble getting up, but I had always attributed it to his arthritic elbows. Maybe it is, though, I need to stop overreacting and get him to the vet.

Ok, update: Saw the vet today, he thinks it's highly likely it's an ACL tear, ?partial or complete. There is muscular buildup at the knee joint, which I did feel. He doesn't think it's anything neurologic, like DM. (Note to myself: stop freaking out about every website you come across when looking up symtoms!!!) So, I guess that's good news, but still may mean more surgery. He says large dogs with this problem don't usually do well (develop arthritis) if it's left untreated. So, on to do more research.

Anyone have experience with this? I haven't looked yet around this website, but I will. We'll need an xray to rule out other problems, and the vet said passively moving the leg when he's out with be the real definitive test. This is a new vet for us, and he isn't exactly forthcoming with information, much I had to drag out of him, though he seems knowledgeable.

Anyway, on to more research!

Stephanie,

My 10 year old GSD had traditional ACL repair surgery about 6 months ago and is doing GREAT! Running and jumping too (without any pain medication). The post-surgical recovery is very difficult but critical to the outcome. There is a new procedure available that I decided against.But, others have reported successful results with this newer procedure. This topic has been discussed in the past. So, may I suggest a forum search?