Kay (Jacksonville, Fl/usa) on 05/09/2012
4 out of 5 stars

I submitted a post not long ago about my 9 yr old GS Female back legs seemed to drag the floor. I assume it was Arthritis and began giving her ACV in her water and the Black Strap Molasses. Started this about 2 weeks ago. There has not been any change at that point. I took her to Vet and x-rays were taken which showed Arthritis in her back and he diagnosed her with DM. He also said that I should take her to a Neurologist who specializes in this for a second opinion. There would be an MRI done amongst other tests and quite frankly as much as I love my dog, we are talking a bill of most probably close to $2,000. Maybe or maybe not, they may want to do surgery on the back which could cost thousands more.

I have had German Shepherds before and none of them ever had this disease and they all lived until about 11 or 12 yrs old. I read up on this disease which is like MS in humans and there is no cure. All I can try to do, is perhaps slow the progression down. Eventually, the worst scenerio is she becomes paralyzed and has to have a mobile unit, than she can die from a back up of bowell movements etc. Has anyone experienced this with their GS? I have gotten in touch with an Alternative MED Vet who I have used before, as this vet offers cold laser treatments or acupuncture. I have read up on many things. But truthfully, is there really a cure.... Or just prolongment. Any help out there?

Thanks so much

Replied By Kay (Jacksonville, Fl/usa) on 05/11/2012

I submitted a post about a week ago about my 9 1/2 year old German Shepherd. She is gradually getting worse in her back legs, as they both seem to collapse. I have made an appointment with a Top well know Vet who specializes in neurology of animals. Especially in DM. The apt is 4 weeks away and other than giving her ACV, Strap Mollasses, vitamin C, Omega 3 Fish Oil tables and etc, there really isn't much I can do. She also has arthritis on her spinal cord. I am looking into getting her the wheel chair for dogs. I am hoping to extend her quality of life for as long as I can. She is still alert and tries her hardest to fetch the ball, with a little tumbling now and then. I know with this disease, this may not be for long.

Any suggestions?

Replied By Kay (Jacksonville, Fl/usa) on 06/02/2012

About 6 weeks ago I wrote a note about my German Shepherd having DM. Next week I am taking her to the specialist. In the mean while, thanks to this forum and my research, I have been giving her ACV in her water, fish oil and Blackstrap Molasses. Her disease has not progressed and she seems to be doing better. She does drag one of her legs but otherwise appears well.

My local vet gave us nothing but bad news. "she won't get better"..... In other words just sit back the worst is yet to come. I will write back after I have the diagnosis from the specialist. Who knows.... maybe there is hope...

Replied By Kay (Jax, Fl/USA) on 06/10/2012

Since I last submitted my post about my 9 1/2 yr old GSD Female, I have taken her to a Specialist at the Uf, Dr Clemmons. After reading up on the disease it is similar to MS in humans. You can google Dr. Clemmons and see on line the diet and meds he lists out. We took her on 6/5 and she was kept over night for extensive tests to rule out anything else. It was not a simple blood/DNA test for a few hundred dollars! We did find out that she also has Polyneuropathy (assumed because of age) and multiple IVDD of the spine. So it was more than arthritis more like degenerative disk disease. Apparently she does not appear to be in any pain. We started her on the meds which include multiple vitamins compounded. The great thing about Dr. C he is not only a neurologist but also well studied and certified in both eastern and western medicines. We have started her on the vitamins and her compounded meds. We will gradually start her diet today. She currently has been on a natural commercial dog food which she will be slowly weaned off over the next 2 weeks, Studies show that 85% of the GSD treated under Dr. C, their DM has slowed it's progression and on some the disease has gone into remission. Because our dog, has multiple issues, this may or may not happen. We can only hope that her quality of life improves. We don't expect a miracle, but had we listened to our local vets, their was no hope at all. The dog will within 3-6 months become paralyzed on both hind legs eventually the front legs, order a doggie wheel chair, etc.

This is a disease I knew nothing about(DM) and apparently it is most common in German Shepherds, but does attack other large dogs. I have had two other GSD and never had this issue.

This site has helped me so much as I have been giving my dog cooked carrots, black strap mollases and ACV. We discovered her collapse on her hind legs back in Nov. 2011 and I thought it to be Arthritis or old age. I have been giving her the above after reading on this site. I honestly believe had I not done this, my dog would be in a wheel chair by now.

I will keep you updated on the progress of the DM for those of you who may have this happen to your dog. As far as the Degenerative Disk Disease there doesn't seem to be alot we can do and we are trying to combat one thing at a time.

Replied By Nh Gardener (Sanbornton, Nh, Usa) on 06/18/2012

For Kay from Jax, FL for dog with degenerative disc--Please give him food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) with his food dampened with ACV, starting with 1 tsp. DE once a day, increasing gradually to rounded or heaping tsp. 2 X/day. It's great for arthritis-like issues, which apparently degen. Disc is. Good human and pet testimonials at a certain site on internet. I recommend also to give him gently melted coconut oil starting with 1 tsp. in food once a day, increasing slowly to 1 1/2--2 tsps. 2 X/day-- nourishes nerves.

Replied By Nh Gardener (Small Town, Nh, Usa) on 06/19/2012

For Kay from Jacksonville re. Dog's degenerative myeloopathy--If she were my dog, I'd give her in addition to the ACV, food grade diatomaceous earth (DE), beginning with 1 tsp. Once a day in her food, increasing gradually to rounded or heaping tsp. 2 X/day. DE absorbs and eliminates toxins from the body. Check internet for sources.

I'd also give her gently melted coconut oil, starting with 1 tsp. Once daily in her food, increasing gradually to 1 or 2 tsps. 2 X/day. It's said to nourish nerves. If she likes it, no need to melt it. I'd also check into the Budwig Diet and Protocol at the Healing Cancer Naturally site. Dr. Budwig said her oil-protein diet of flax oil emulsified with org. Lowfat cottage cheese, heals MS, which also involves the destruction of the myelin sheath. I would use flax oil instead of fish oil, as much of the fish oil in capsules has been shown to be rancid. Dr. Budwig's program is very effective. You'd give your dog 1/2 cup of the emulsified cottage cheese/flax oil mix (the ratio is 2 parts cottage cheese to 1 part flax oil) twice a day. See info and/or video on above mentioned site for important mixing instructions.

I'd also give vegetables as half her food at each feeding--steamed squash or pumpkin, carrots, green beans, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, etc. Or even sometimes steamed frozen mixed veggies. Finely grated raw carrot and 2 Tbsps. Very finely minced parsley or other green herb every day are recommended. A well known brand of mini food processor for quick and easy daily parsley prep is very helpful.

There's a natural solution for virtually every condition. All good wishes.

Replied By Kay (Jax, Fl/usa) on 06/19/2012

Thank you NH Gardener for you input regarding my GSD. My GSD is a complicated case per the specialist I took her to. The DM tests we do not have yet, she has polyneuropathy, degenerative disk disease and on top of that she has high protein levels in her kidneys. The vegetable diet she is on is carrots, broccoli, spinach, etc. To treat DM requires a high protein diet but when there is a kidney issue, this requires a low protein diet. So, there you go! Otherwise, she is still playing, alert and although her back legs wobble and occasional she slips, you wouldn't know anything was wrong with her. I will every now and than keep everyone informed so that if this should happen to your precious pet, you will have read what I wrote.

I am certain which the "specialist" sees the results of the recent urine test showing the extreme high protein levels, he will recommend me to do something else. Sometimes, I wonder if I would have been better off, just giving her the ACV in her water, Black Strap Molasses and staying on her Natural Balance food? Who knows? We only do what think is best and time will tell.

Replied By Netta (Charleston, SC) on 08/05/2012

Have you heard about Glucosamine and Chondroitin?

Replied By Kay (Jax/fl/usa) on 08/07/2012

Hi Netta, Thank you for the suggestion for DM, however, I have been giving my dog these for years. Apparently it didn't prevent DM, Arthritis, Degenerative Disk Disease and Polyneuropathy which is everything my GSD has. Since I last post, I have been giving her homemade diet and compounded special meds from the Neuro, I took her to. This doc also practices chinese med. My GSD is gradually getting worse. One leg was dragging(typical of DM) and now both rear legs have problems getting up. She is still walking so she is not "down" yet. This terrible disease paralyzes their legs, they appear to have no pain they just loose feeling. Eventually all their strength is put into the front legs which eventually will bring them totally down. I have done a lot of research and joined a group of other owners with dogs with this DM disease. I have learned alot. There is no cure. We can only hope to slow the progression. Thanks for your response, it is appreciated.

Replied By Kay (Jax,fl, Usa) on 01/25/2014

A while back I wrote about my German Shepherd who had Degenerative Myleopathy(DM). We tried everything and perhaps in so doing we may have slowed the progression down a little. I am sorry to say, she has passed away. The disease had traveled through her body into her throat where she lost her ability to bark and eventually to drink or eat.

From the time of the onset of the disease it took a little over 2 years. My suggestion for anyone who is considering getting a German Shepherd or Boxer, have a test run for this disease.

Replied By Theresa

(Mpls., Mn) on 01/26/2014

Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

Kay, I am so sorry for your loss :(

Thank you for sharing your journey here. I ditto your advice about asking for the DM test. This is a $65.00 non-invasive DNA test that is something a reputable breeder will already know about and be able to either provide testing history on the prospective parents of their puppies OR the test results for each puppy.

http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/dm.html

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Theresa