Maya (Connecticut) on 04/18/2016
Our vet recommended that we look into buying an rear support harness, you can hold the handle for the brace with the same hand as you hold the leash, and can help to support some of your dog's weight while they walk which makes it easier for them. It also made it possible for me to be able to keep taking her in the car with me when I'm by myself, as alone I couldn't lift her up by myself (she weighs about 80 pounds!!)
I know this is just a temporary "remedy" and not an actual solution, and at some point in the near future it won't work for us anymore, but for the time being it's been a Godsend. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else had heard of using a support harness and was wondering a good one to buy.. or for other people who maybe had never considered this option before!
Vicki (Oklahoma, US) on 03/16/2015
It made him HORRIBLY sick & did not help at all. It made him severely nauseous & gave him a bloody diarrhea which gave way to an inability to move his bowels without help & difficulty urinating. This was treated by my vet with antibiotics & anti-nausea meds. I began researching that night & eventually found records of a small study done on DM dogs that showed some success using the amino acid lysine. I had already started giving him acidopholus & I had an old bottle of predigested collegen amino acid complex on hand, so began giving him about a teaspoon twice a day on his food. He was very depressed for a while, but in time cheered up & has done nothing but make very slow steady progress since then. He slowly regained the ability to empty his own bladder & bowels & is now able to briefly get around a little on his own. He's now gone through two 16 oz. bottles & is nearly through a third. I hand made him a tiny quad cart, but he's never been in it. He has been kept on fabric surfaces so that if he made the attempt to stand, he would not lose his footing, & he has taken advantage of that. I've had him since he was 6 yrs. old & had noticed for several months prior to finding him paralyzed that he was starting to walk stilt-step on his front legs. I also noticed for years before that he always crossed his front legs slightly when lying on his stomach. His front legs had gone completely rigid when I came home & found him.
(I have a photo of him when he got back from the vet last year, and a short video I made about a month ago)
Robi (Connecticut, US) on 01/04/2015
1. You may have to research and talk your veterinarian into trying this (mine got me hooked up with a compounding pharmacy, West Woods who sent me the needed supplements). and
2. PNEUMONIA is one of the main killers of dogs and people.... I wish I had tried a wheelchair for my dog to keep the air circulating in his lungs better. I thought he didn't care that much about going for walks since he was able to get to the car to go to work with me (with help). Good luck to all who have to deal with this terrible disease...
Kay (Jax, Fl, Usa) on 03/11/2014
Barb F. (New River, Arizona) on 08/05/2013
Mr Bond (London, Uk) on 11/02/2012
Why doesn't anybody talk of this drug on the internet? Can anyone get it? Does anyone use it?
I could use some now for Blue if anyone can help!
Kay (Jacksonville, Fl/usa) on 05/09/2012
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
Angela (Lake City, Usa) on 11/21/2010
Anyone who has a shepherd or ANY dog with DM needs to google Dr. Clemmons and check out his amazing work on this disease-My shepherd is acting like a puppy again-not a crippled 12 year old that she was. My regular vet told me to "make her comfortable" and there is nothing you can do to stop this terrible disease-it's like human's having MS- YOU CAN DO LOTS to prevent and stop the progression. contact me for more info angelagsd(at)gmail(dot)com I have PLENTY of advice and will do whatever I can to help you. I am a trainer in Florida with 3 shepherds and many years of experience with dogs.
