Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a disorder which affects the tissue of the spinal cord. This generally causes muscle atrophy and degeneration of the nerves beginning in the hind limbs leading to loss of ability to walk. Onset is usually around 8 years of age with loss of walking a year or so later.

An autosomal recessive condition with variable expression between breeds caused by a mutation in the SOD1 gene.

Zeng R, Coates JR, Johnson GC, Hansen L, Awano T, Kolicheski A, Ivansson E, Perloski M, Lindblad-Toh K, O'Brien DP, Guo J, Katz ML, Johnson GS. Breed distribution of SOD1 alleles previously associated with canine degenerative myelopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 2014 Mar-Apr;28(2):515-21