Degenerative Myelopathy

Ms2011

My dog has Degenerative Myelopathy, she has had it for 3 years but has managed well until recently.
Now she can barely walk properly, is having more & more accidents & is losing weight rapidly despite having her normal appetite.
I think it's time to call it a day but I'm finding it very hard to make that final decision. By the very nature of the disease she is not in pain so I know she is not suffering in that regard but the disease is degenerative so she isn't going to get better & she does seem to be getting more depressed.
I put my 15 year old dog down 3 years ago & it was so hard to make that decision & if I'm honest I probably left him too long which is something I don't want to do again.
Anyone with any experience with this condition or any advice in general I'd really appreciate it thanks.

cocker5

Ms2011 wrote: »

My dog has Degenerative Myelopathy, she has had it for 3 years but has managed well until recently.
Now she can barely walk properly, is having more & more accidents & is losing weight rapidly despite having her normal appetite.
I think it's time to call it a day but I'm finding it very hard to make that final decision. By the very nature of the disease she is not in pain so I know she is not suffering in that regard but the disease is degenerative so she isn't going to get better & she does seem to be getting more depressed.
I put my 15 year old dog down 3 years ago & it was so hard to make that decision & if I'm honest I probably left him too long which is something I don't want to do again.
Anyone with any experience with this condition or any advice in general I'd really appreciate it thanks.

God OP that’s terrible what you and your dog are going through .. do u mind if I ask how did u get it formally diagnosed?
I was worried early this year my dog had this but after a lot of research found it out it usually only diagnosed once the animal has died and special testing carried out? And usually it only takes 6 months or so for a dog to be at the end of it?

What has your vet said? What tests were carried out?

Are you sure the rapid weight loss isnt down to something else?

God that’s terrible I hope your ok x and your dog too

cocker5

Ms2011 wrote: »

My dog has Degenerative Myelopathy, she has had it for 3 years but has managed well until recently.
Now she can barely walk properly, is having more & more accidents & is losing weight rapidly despite having her normal appetite.
I think it's time to call it a day but I'm finding it very hard to make that final decision. By the very nature of the disease she is not in pain so I know she is not suffering in that regard but the disease is degenerative so she isn't going to get better & she does seem to be getting more depressed.
I put my 15 year old dog down 3 years ago & it was so hard to make that decision & if I'm honest I probably left him too long which is something I don't want to do again.
Anyone with any experience with this condition or any advice in general I'd really appreciate it thanks.

Also do you mind if I ask what breed your dog is?

Have you considered a wheelchair for dogs?

http://www.k-9cart.com/Animal-Health/degenerative-myelopathy-a-wheelchairs

Ms2011

Hi thanks for the reply after a trip to our vets today we decided it was best to put her to sleep.
She was a 12 year old Chihuahua.
She started showing signs about 3 years ago, x rays, scans, blood work were done, she remained at the vet for several days & through a process of elimination she was diagnosed with Degenerative Myeloparhy. She was given 6 months - 3 years depending on how quickly things progressed. I guess we were lucky to make it to 3 years, I don't know if her being so small & light helped.
She'd been mostly stable if not wobbly for the last while but in the last 4 months she became completely uncoordinated, a breeze would blow her over. She was all but incontinent but the most alarming thing and the last straw for me was how skinny she'd become and how depressed she was.
Anyway she's at peace now & I'm missing my shadow

cocker5

Ms2011 wrote: »

Hi thanks for the reply after a trip to our vets today we decided it was best to put her to sleep.
She was a 12 year old Chihuahua.
She started showing signs about 3 years ago, x rays, scans, blood work were done, she remained at the vet for several days & through a process of elimination she was diagnosed with Degenerative Myeloparhy. She was given 6 months - 3 years depending on how quickly things progressed. I guess we were lucky to make it to 3 years, I don't know if her being so small & light helped.
She'd been mostly stable if not wobbly for the last while but in the last 4 months she became completely uncoordinated, a breeze would blow her over. She was all but incontinent but the most alarming thing and the last straw for me was how skinny she'd become and how depressed she was.
Anyway she's at peace now & I'm missing my shadow

Really sorry to hear that OP you did the very best by her and she was lucky to have you .. look after yourself