Nancy Kay's Blog

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a pretty darned awful heart disease in dogs. The heart muscle becomes weak and flabby, failing in its function to pump blood around the body. Dogs with DCM may show zero evidence of their disease until something dramatic happens, such as fulminant heart failure or a heart rhythm abnormality resulting in sudden weakness, collapse, or even death. This disease is trouble with a capital “D”.

Hold the peas, please.

Genetics is the most common cause of DCM with Doberman pinschers, Irish wolfhounds, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Portuguese water dogs, boxers, Saint Barnards, and cocker spaniels, and giant schnauzers leading the pack.

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Less common are nutritional causes of DCM:

Taurine Deficiency

Taurine is an amino acid (protein building block) produced in dogs’ livers. It’s also found in meat, fish, and dairy products. For years, we’ve known about taurine deficiency-induced DCM, particularly in cats who are unable to manufacture their own taurine. Commercial cat food manufacturers have upped the amount of taurine in the foods they sell, so the incidence of feline DCM has fallen dramatically.

Some dogs seemingly lack the ability to manufacture their own taurine. Cases of taurine-responsive DCM have been documented, most commonly in cocker spaniels and golden retrievers.

Grain Free Dog Food

Feeding grain-free diets to our dogs has become quite the fad. They exclude cereal grains such as wheat, barley, rice, and maize. Grain-free diets have gained popularity because of the market perception that they are a healthier, more natural, hypoallergenic alternative.

In 2018, the Food and Drug Association (FDA) began investigating DCM cases possibly linked with grain-free diets. Not all dogs eating grain-free develop DCM, but since 2018, I’ve been asking, “Is it a risk worth taking?”

Hold the Peas Please

Grain-free does not mean 100% meat. In commercially prepared grain-free dog foods, the list of ingredients often includes peas, lentils, and/or beans, all excellent sources of protein and carbohydrates. In terms of causing DCM, these ingredients may play a bigger role than simply the grain-free status.

We don’t know with certainty that peas and other legumes cause DCM in dogs. However, the FDA is investigating a possible association. The primary concern isn’t peas or other legumes in small amounts, but diets in which they are major ingredients (see list of ingredients above).

Researchers have suggested possible underlying mechanisms: the diet may displace other nutrients, affect the balance of amino acids, or lower levels of vitamins needed for normal cardiac metabolism.

Are you feeding a grain-free diet to your dog? If so, take a look at the list of ingredients. Any legumes near the top of the list?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com kidsunitedforanimalwelfare.org

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

“I’m taking my dog to the vet to get fixed.”

“She’s in heat. Time to get her fixed.”

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Such a strange expression. Veterinarians fix broken legs and infected teeth, not reproductive organs. Some would say “fixed” is a more genteel way of saying spayed, castrated, neutered, or sterilized. Others suggest it implies the animal has been “made all right.” No matter. I’m in favor of anything that prevents unintentional litters.

“Fixing” animals has everything to do with the current state of animal shelters in the United States. Shelters describe themselves as at capacity, overcrowded, and short-staffed. Turning away homeless animals is commonplace, and good Samaritans are told to release strays back onto the streets. Yikes!

While it’s tempting to shine the spotlight solely on what shelters are or are not doing right, I believe it’s equally important to focus on the pipeline—the vast, ever-increasing flow of homeless animals in need of sheltering. How can we tackle this massive problem?

Ed Boks is a highly regarded expert in the realm of animal sheltering. I strongly encourage you to subscribe to his Substack, Animal Politics with Ed Boks.

Ed has this to say.

From roughly 1990 through 2010, many communities invested heavily in spay and neuter programs to reduce intake. During that period, national shelter intake and euthanasia declined dramatically as prevention became a central strategy. In recent years, more attention has shifted toward managing animals already entering the system through transports, foster networks, managed intake, diversion programs, and other operational strategies.

Animal welfare systems are not failing because they focus on capacity. They are strained because capacity solutions often become substitutes for population solutions rather than partners to them.

Had I a magic wand, I would insert “responsible pet owner chips” into the brains of every human, at least every human in the United States. Scandinavian countries have wonderfully responsible populations. But I digress.

The number one way we can reduce the flow of homeless animals into our shelters is via aggressive spay/neuter programs. This means development of many more low-cost spay/neuter clinics and people’s access to them.

In other words, “fixing” is the fix.

Here are some things we all can do to decrease the homeless pet population:

Give a damn about this problem.

Educate, educate, educate about responsible pet ownership and our current animal sheltering foibles. Don’t forget our kiddos—what they learn now may just last a lifetime (visit KidsUnitedforAnimalWelfare.org).

Volunteer with local animal shelters and humane organizations.

With money and/or volunteer hours, support programs that help make spay/neuter surgeries more affordable.

Encourage our legislators to fund spay/neuter programs, new ones and those that already exist.

Join the fight against puppy mills that pour thousands of dogs into our hands, often replacing the opportunity to adopt or foster a homeless animal.

Donate time and money to spay-neuter clinics.

Every time we hear about an unintentional litter of puppies, let’s remember, there’s more we can do.

How do you feel about the current state of animal sheltering in the United States? Any suggested solutions?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com kidsunitedforanimalwelfare.org

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Chewing gum, mints, toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, cough syrups, chewable vitamins, lip balm, sunscreen—read the labels on these products carefully to determine if they contain xylitol. If so, keep them secured in a cabinet away from your counter surfing, purse snatching, pickpocketing pooch. Xylitol is a commonly used sugar substitute. While safe for human consumption, it is extremely toxic for dogs. In fact, it can be deadly.

What exactly is xylitol?

Xylitol was discovered by German chemist Emil Fisher in 1891 while he was experimenting with sugars found in wood. Current day xylitol is manufactured using xylan, a sugar substance found in hardwood trees, coconuts, and corncobs. Its popularity is attributed to a few things:

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Xylitol is as sweet as sucrose, but with far fewer calories.

Compared to sugar, it causes very little insulin release in people and certain other species.

Xylitol prevents mouth bacteria that can damage the surfaces of teeth. For this reason, it’s a common ingredient in toothpastes, sugar-free gum, and mouthwash products.

Species-specific effects

The effect of xylitol is super species-specific. In people, rats, horses, and rhesus monkeys, xylitol causes little to no increase in insulin release or change in blood sugar levels. The exact opposite happens in dogs, cats, cows, goats, rabbits, and baboons. Xylitol markedly increases insulin release, which causes the animal’s blood sugar to plummet to dangerously low levels.

Toxicity in dogs

This xylitol induced low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) can cause weakness, trembling, seizures, collapse, and even death.

At higher doses, xylitol can cause massive liver destruction (known as necrosis) in which liver cells die abruptly. This produces an acute health crisis and can even cause death.

Vomiting is often the first symptom of xylitol toxicity. Other symptoms related to the low blood sugar level develop within 30 minutes to 12 hours following consumption. When xylitol-induced liver damage occurs, liver enzyme values typically begin increasing within 12 to 24 hours.

Treatment of xylitol toxicity

Emergency treatment is warranted after a dog consumes xylitol. If vomiting can be successfully induced within the first 30 to 60 minutes (before the xylitol leaves the stomach), the problem may be solved. Once xylitol leaves the stomach and triggers the pancreas to produce insulin, intensive treatment may be needed to counteract the resulting hypoglycemia and liver damage.

Treatment includes hospitalization with round-the-clock care, blood monitoring, and administration of intravenous glucose and liver-protective agents. In some cases, blood transfusions are needed to counteract the effects of blood clotting abnormalities caused by liver failure.

The prognosis for xylitol toxicity varies depending on the amount of xylitol swallowed and how promptly the dog receives treatment.

Read labels carefully

Many foods and dental products contain xylitol. Here’s a list of the more common ones:

- toothpaste

- mouthwash

- chewing gum

- peanut butter

- sugar-free candy

- sugar free breath mints

- fruit drinks

- jellies and jams

- cereals

- baked goods

- sugar-free puddings and Jello

- over-the-counter vitamin supplements

Believe it or not, some products advertised specifically for dogs, such as toothpaste, contain small amounts of xylitol! What are these manufacturers thinking?!

Not all product labels clearly list all ingredients. If a label states, “artificially sweetened,” assume xylitol until proven otherwise. “Birch sugar” and “wood sugar” are also red flags.

What to do if your dog eats xylitol

If your dog has just eaten (as in you watched it happen) something containing xylitol, contact a veterinary hospital staff member right away. They may coach you on inducing your dog to vomit at home.

If you’re not really sure when the xylitol was consumed (you’ve just returned home from work and the remains of sugar-free gum wrappers are decorating the couch), or which dog(s) did the deed, get them to a nearby veterinary clinic or 24-hour emergency hospital right away. Be sure to take the label of the consumed product with you. Time is always of the essence when treating xylitol toxicity.

Look in your pantry and bathrooms, your pockets and handbags, your car consoles to see if you have any xylitol-containing products. What did you find? Do your dogs have access to them?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

I suspect that what I’m about to say will be controversial, but please hear me out.

In the world of dogs, the slogan, “Adopt, Don’t Shop” has become ubiquitous, and for good reason. Not only does it call attention to the plethora of homeless animals awaiting their fate on the streets and in shelters, it’s meant to deter sales of irresponsibly bred puppies (backyard breeders and puppy mills).

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Some believe that “Adopt, Don’t Shop” is the only acceptable way to bring a dog into your home. But is it fair to use this slogan as ammo against people who desire a purebred pup?

Why do some people prefer purebred puppies?

Folks who want a purebred pup may have one or more of the following reasons:

They want a predictable adult personality with traits that are well suited to their needs, hobbies, and lifestyle. Most dog breeds come with an inherited, innate desire to behave a certain way. Labradors retrieve, border collies and heelers work livestock, spaniels hunt, German shepherds protect, and the list goes on and on. The point is this. Among dog breeds, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Proper socialization of puppies between the ages of two and twelve weeks sets the stage for a life of calm when the dog encounters people, other animals, and new situations. Most responsible breeders recognize the importance of this socialization.

A particular dog breed may be part of a person’s family lineage. A desire to carry on this tradition may prompt someone to shop rather than adopt.

Full disclosure

I raised my three young kids with a golden retriever purchased as a pup from a responsible breeder. Vinnie was everything we wanted in a family dog. Like a typical golden, he wore a constant smile, was friendly with anyone and everyone, and never was a cause for concern when interacting with our kids and their friends. I purposefully chose a breed with this predictable personality and from a litter of pups that had proper socialization during their first ten weeks of life. Once my kids outgrew their exuberant, silly years, we adopted from shelters and rescue organizations, and I will continue to do so.

Can one find a purebred pup through an animal shelter or rescue organization?

The short answer to this is a definite “yes,” but it may require being in just the right place at the right time. And it may be difficult to determine how the pup was socialized, if health screening tests were performed on the pup’s parents, and the degree of inbreeding (mating dogs that are closely related) involved in making the litter.

How tough is it to find a responsible breeder?

Depending on the popularity of the breed and where you live, it might be difficult to find a responsible breeder. It’s all too easy to fall prey to the deceptive practices of puppy mills. I’ve compiled this checklist of what to look for in a responsible breeder. Finding a responsible breeder requires some effort on your part, but the payoff will last throughout your dog’s lifetime.

To all of you who have adopted a dog from an animal shelter or rescue organization, or plan to do so in the future, I applaud you for providing a home to a dog in need.

Okay, now lay it on me! I’m a big girl and I welcome all of your opinions!

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

New World screwworm disease sounds a bit science fictiony, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s not. This ordinary looking screwworm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is so problematic, that, in 1966, the United States took measures to eradicate it. The eradication effort was completely successful…until now.

Screwworm fly

At the time of this writing, there are reports of 12 New World screwworm cases: 11 in Texas (goats and cattle) and 1 in New Mexico (a dog).

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Screwworm behavior

The single grossest thing I’ve encountered as a veterinarian—and I’ve witnessed many gross things—is maggots. Perhaps you’ve seen these wiggly, white fly larvae either or person or in a horror movie.

For flies, an open wound on a warm-blooded animal is like a party house. They love to lay their eggs there, and the more rotten, ooey gooey, and filthy the flesh is, the better. The eggs quickly turn into larvae, aka maggots (gag). The presence of these squirming larvae promotes infection and compromises healing.

The New World screwworm fly takes maggot damage to a whole new level. Adult females lay eggs—up to 200-300 at a time—on the edge of a wound or body opening (mouth, eyes, nose, and reproductive areas). The eggs hatch within 24 hours to become sharp-toothed screwworm larvae that burrow into healthy tissue like a screw driven into wood.

Screwworm larvaSymptoms

Gross as they are, plain old run-of-the-mill maggots don’t cause significant pain. Not true for the New World screwworm. Their burrowing, tearing tissue, and creating expanding, deepening wounds can be extremely painful. When severe enough, the animal may develop a fever, loss of appetite, and a foul odor from the burrowing site. Left untreated, screwworm infection can be fatal.

Prevention

The most important prevention involves examining your animals daily. Most of the canine maggot cases I’ve seen are in long-haired dogs. The hair creates a dark, moist environment around a wound that often goes unnoticed until the spot becomes its own little horror movie. Consider keeping a dog with an open wound indoors during the healing process, especially if you live in and around Texas. Some flea and tick medications may interrupt the screwworm life cycle.

Eradication of the New World screwworm in the United States was highly successful in 1966. The effort involved releasing sterile male flies that competed for breeding females. I suspect a similar plan will be rolled out soon.

Should you be worried?

The short answer is, probably not…at least not yet. I’m telling you about New World screwworm disease because it has been a very active news story. Texas shares a border with Mexico where screwworms are endemic. So, if you live in Texas, do be extra vigilant. If you suspect your animal is affected, contact your veterinarian right away.

Have you ever dealt with maggots? If so, do tell!

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Hate to break it to you, but there are literally hundreds of preventives, supplements, and remedies sold to dog lovers that, other than a possible placebo effect, are a complete waste of time and money. This is especially true for products touted to prevent and/or treat dental disease.

Up to 80% of dogs over age three are reported to have some degree of periodontal disease. It’s no wonder that the pet product industry offers a vast array of products touted to prevent or eliminate dental disease including: chews, treats, special diets, toothpastes, sprays, water additives, and special doggy toothbrushes.

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

How can you be sure you’re investing your hard-earned money in effective products rather than dental duds? Simply visit the Veterinary Oral Health Council website. The mission of this organization is to review products for effective plaque and tartar control in animals when used as directed. Those deemed efficacious receive the VOHC Seal of Acceptance.

Which products have you tried for your dog’s dental disease and were they helpful? Perhaps dental chews, a drinking water additive, toothpaste or a special diet? Are the products endorsed by the VOHC?

If you learned something from this article, please share it with your dog-loving community! The live link for sharing is at the top of this publication.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

For most of my life, AI stood for only one thing—artificial insemination, a means of impregnating horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and dogs. I won’t bore you with how much time I spent collecting and analyzing bull semen as an undergrad! The meaning of AI has certainly changed a wee bit since then.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and veterinary medicine is no exception. So, what are the ways veterinarians are using AI? Here are some current applications of artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine. And there will likely be more by the time you read this!

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In Veterinary School

Students can feed notes and class materials to AI which can then teach the material back.

Aid in scribing notes.

Provide sample quizzes on the material.

Create flashcards for learning.

In Veterinary Practice

AI systems can transcribe office visit conversations into a medical record format. Perhaps you’ve experienced this during a visit with your own doctor. While this can save literally hours of time for the veterinarian, he or she must still do a proofread.

Speedy interpretation of imaging studies (x-rays, ultrasound exams, MRI scans, CT scans). AI can combine the imaging findings with the patient’s history to generate tailored recommendations.

Based on patient history, exam findings, and laboratory findings, AI can generate a differential diagnosis (a list of the most likely diagnoses) and propose the next course of action.

Ready access to current research. The veterinarian can ask questions about complex conditions and instantly receive cited, guideline-backed answers drawn from expert research and protocols.

AI can assist with client communication by generating emails, texts, cost estimates, educational handouts, and reminder messages.

AI-powered triage tools and telemedicine assistants can screen cases before they reach the clinic. The chatbot uses structured questions about the animal’s symptoms, behavior, and medical history to help determine if an urgent veterinary visit is warranted.

Veterinarians can use AI to schedule appointments and procedures, manage inventory, marketing, budgeting, and HR support.

AI applications will undoubtedly play a role in your pet’s health care. And I’m all for progress, however…

My education instilled in me that there’s a real art to performing veterinary medicine at an A+ level. Doing so is a beautiful thing that requires a thinking brain and a type of medical logic learned in veterinary school and post-graduation training. I’d hate for this to become a lost art form.

How do you feel about AI being part of your experience with veterinary medicine?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health?

Dr. Nancy

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

When people learn that I’m a veterinarian, their faces often light up with a smile. They may have a story such as, “I always wanted to be a vet, but organic chemistry sabotaged my plan.” or, “I love my veterinarian. She saved my dog’s life!”

Not all responses are so affirming because not everyone is happy with their veterinarian. And that’s okay. The reality is, not all veterinarians do a good job (same as in human medicine). I certainly had a few vet school classmates I wouldn’t let near one of my own sick animals with a ten-foot syringe.

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The relationship between you and your veterinarian is an important one. Consider yourselves teammates working to keep your pets comfortable and healthy. Choosing the right veterinarian is a significant decision, and is why I included the chapter, “Finding Dr. Wonderful and Your Mutt’s Mayo Clinic” in my book, Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life.

Five Red Flag Indicators

How can you know if a vet’s performance is unworthy of your patronage? Here are five red flag indicators to prompt you to consider looking for someone new:

1. Your veterinarian is a 100 percent do-it-your-selfer, refusing to enlist help from other veterinarians, particularly specialists, within the community. Gone are the days of All Creatures Great and Small when it was reasonable for one doctor to handle all medical maladies, great and small. Advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies have made it impossible for any one individual to be proficient at everything. If your family veterinarian hasn’t been able to arrive at a diagnosis, your pet’s condition is worsening or not improving in spite of therapy, or has recommended a complicated procedure, enlisting help from another veterinarian makes really good sense. If such discussion is not forthcoming, your vet is likely a do-it-your-selfer.

2. Your veterinarian prefers telling you what to do rather than discussing options. This “paternalistic” style of communication hinders your ability to ask questions and make well-informed choices. Sentence starters from your veterinarian such as, “You need to…”, “You should…”, “You have to…”, or an unsolicited, “If I were you I would…” are all clues that you may be workong with a paternalistic provider. It’s fine for veterinarians to weigh-in with some “what-would-I-do” advice, but such opinions shouldn’t be forthcoming from the get-go.

3. Your veterinarian doesn’t comply with current professional standards. For example, veterinarians who insist on a full slate of vaccinations without considering their patient’s lifestyle. Why vaccinate for Lyme disease if there’s no potential exposure to ticks?

4. Your veterinarian has made a significant error while working with your pet—a botched surgery, a missed diagnosis, or a medical prescription error. Yes, mistakes happen, and they warrant some face time with your veterinarian. Not only should your vet take responsibility, they should provide a prompt and honest explanation of what happened. If this isn’t the case, time to look elsewhere.

5. You or your pet simply don’t feel comfortable with your veterinarian. Does your normally delightful dog transform into Kujo the minute your vet walks into the exam room? Do you feel uneasy asking questions and openly discussing your worries or concerns? Pay attention to your observations and gut feelings. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right.

Your Exit Strategy

If you are planning to transfer to another veterinary hospital, you may be concerned about how to do so gracefully, without hurting your vet’s feelings. To this I say, what’s more important, your pet’s health and your own peace of mind or your veterinarian’s feelings?

To expedite a smooth transition, obtain a copy of all of your pet’s medical records, including: doctor’s notes, laboratory test results, imaging studies (ultrasound, X-rays), and vaccination history. This should be a no-hassle process because you are legally entitled to these records. If asked why you are moving on, I encourage you to provide an honest, constructive response.

As the captain of your pet’s health care team, it is your responsibility to determine who your teammates will be. Choose them wisely and remind yourself that the opportunity to care for you and your pet is a privilege that should be well-deserved.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

There are a half dozen or so diseases I truly despise, and degenerative myelopathy (DM) is one of them. DM causes slow, progressive damage to a dog’s spinal cord resulting in paraplegia—paralysis of the hind legs. Sadly, there is no effective treatment.

Dogs at risk

Decades ago, when I was just a pup, veterinarians referred to DM as German Shepherd Myelopathy. We thought the disease was unique to this breed. In fact, DM occurs in purebred and mixed breed dogs of all shapes and sizes. The two breeds most commonly affected are German shepherds and corgis. I find this fascinating because I’ve always thought of corgis as German shepherds on short legs.

Symptoms

Early symptoms typically begin at around eight years of age and are subtle, resembling a nondescript gait abnormality. The symptoms progress slowly over the course of months to even years. From beginning to end, dogs with DM typically remain alert and animated. Symptoms typically progress as follows:

Initial: Loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind legs, dragging the hind feet causing wearing down of the toenails, hind end weakness (difficulty climbing stairs, jumping up into the car, going for walks).

Intermediate: Knuckling of hind feet (weight bearing on the tops of the feet rather than their undersides), difficulty supporting weight with hind legs, inability to walk without support, urinary and/or fecal incontinence.

Advanced: Paraplegia (paralysis of hind legs), weakness in front legs.

DM does not appear to cause pain for the dog directly. Discomfort can occur because of overuse of other body parts attempting to compensate for the hind end weakness.

Cause of Degenerative Myelopathy

A mutation of the SOD1 gene causes DM, an inherited disease with a recessive mode of inheritance—in order for a dog to be affected, both dam and sire must pass down the mutation. What remains unknown is why some dogs who have this “double mutation” never develop symptoms of DM.

Genetic testing is available to determine an individual dog’s SOD1 mutation status and is available through several laboratories. Testing identifies dogs that are normal (have two normal copies of the gene), those who are carriers (have one normal copy of the gene and one mutated copy), and those who are at risk for development of DM (have two mutated copies of the gene). DNA testing does not diagnose DM. This is because not all dogs with two mutated copies of the gene develop DM.

Responsible breeders use DNA testing for DM to help assess whether a particular dog is suitable for breeding purposes. If contemplating purchasing a German shepherd or corgi pup, it’s important to request DM test results for the dam and sire of the litter. If the parents have not undergone screening, it’s reasonable to test the puppy prior to purchase.

Making the diagnosis

DM is a “rule-out diagnosis”. This means that a presumptive diagnosis of DM is made by ruling out other causes of spinal cord disease (e.g., herniated intervertebral disk, tumor, infection, trauma). Sadly, the only way to definitively diagnose DM is via a spinal cord biopsy, collected during a post-mortem (autopsy) examination.

Treatment

There is no known treatment that significantly alters the course of DM. Diligent nursing care, prevention of pressure sores, rehabilitation therapies like swimming and stretching exercises, massage, acupuncture, monitoring for urinary tract infections (immobilized dogs are more prone), and using specialized equipment such as booties, slings, harnesses, and wheelchairs can enhance the quality of life for affected dogs.

Sadly, dogs with DM become so debilitated that most owners eventually opt for euthanasia. Exactly when to euthanize is a highly individualized decision based on how adaptive, both physically and psychologically, the involved dog and human(s) are. Some dogs thrive in a well-fitted doggie cart/wheelchair. For the human caretaker, in addition to the emotional toll that DM takes, there is a great deal of lifting, carrying, and cleaning involved. Everyone responds differently to this challenging situation.

Letting go of a beloved four-legged family member is never easy, but it can be particularly heartbreaking when DM is the cause. Affected dogs typically have good appetites, are free from pain, and their minds remain sharp as ever.

Degenerative Myelopathy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease)

Degenerative myelopathy and Lou Gehrig’s disease share similar symptoms, and both involve an SOD1 mutation. However, they are not identical in that they affect different parts of the central nervous system. Nonetheless, DM serves as a canine model that may ultimately prove to be valuable in learning more about therapeutic interventions for ALS.

After reading this, it’s probably obvious why I despise degenerative myelopathy! It’s impossible to treat and, short of an autopsy exam, impossible to definitively diagnose. And euthanizing a dog who is pain free and with normal personality intact takes a huge emotional toll.

Have you known a dog with degenerative myelopathy? Please share your story.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Here is an opportunity to hear me talk about medical advocacy for our pets in an interview with Chad from Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society of the United States). Enjoy!

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com