I want to get into something that’s extremely prevalent in the Boxer community; Degenerative Myelopathy. This is a disease that affects many breeds but is absolutely rampant in Boxers. It’s commonly referred to as “DM” and is a neurological disease thought to be the second leading cause of death in the Boxer breed behind cancer. Health is extremely important for my dogs, and I wanted to fully understand common ailments so I can be prepared for our dogs’ futures. So what’s this DM all about?
What is DM?
Degenerative Myelopathy is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that affects the spinal cord in dogs. It’s a progressive disease and typically affects dogs later in life, after the age of 8 years old. It causes gradual muscle weakness and loss of coordination, eventually leading to the loss of function in the hind limbs. DM is a fatal disease that is similar to ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in humans.
What Causes the Disease?
DM is typically caused by a mutation in the SOD1 gene. There are two variants of the mutation; SOD1A and SOD1B. The former is the most common, with the latter affecting the Bernese Mountain Dog breed specifically. DM is an autosomal recessive disease. This means that a dog must inherit two copies (one from each parent) to be at risk of developing the disease. Keep in mind, it’s possible for at-risk dogs to never develop the disease, and it’s also possible that there are other environmental factors that contribute to DM as well.
Symptoms
Early signs of Degenerative Myelopathy can include scuffing of feet, dragging paws, incoordination, and difficulty rising. With progression, the hind limbs weaken and loss of function to those muscles becomes inevitable. Further degeneration of the spinal cord can also cause incontinence, respiratory paralysis, and eventually death. Usually, dogs will last about 3-5 years after the first onset of symptoms.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Degenerative Myelopathy. The priority is to keep your dog comfortable. Many suggest physical therapy for dogs and staying active to promote muscle health and function. It’s common for owners to invest in a wheelchair to help their dogs with mobility in later stages. Although dogs seem to not show pain with this disease, it is fatal. DM is a devastating disease causing your dog to deteriorate in front of your eyes, ultimately ending in euthanasia.
Prevention
There’s no guarantee that your dog will never develop DM. However, it’s likely that you can prevent this by being well-informed. Make sure your breeder tests their dogs and you know whether they carry the disease or not. A lot of breeders won’t breed dogs with even one variant. Many choose to selectively breed carriers to other clear dogs to keep the gene pools diverse. The best thing you can do to prevent DM in your dog is to make sure they’re not genetically predisposed to it.
If your breeder didn’t test for Degenerative Myelopathy (or you’ve adopted a dog), you can test your dog yourself if you’re curious. There’s a multitude of online DNA kits that can let you know if your dog carries these mutations or not. There are dozens on the market, but my personal favorites are UC Davis ($50 single test) and Embark ($139 including a full genetic panel on hundreds of conditions including DM).
The Future
Although genetic testing is still relatively new to the canine world, it’s very simple and inexpensive. Testing breeding stock and selectively breeding future dogs has the potential to nearly eliminate this devastating disease from the breed. If you breed dogs or buy from a breeder, please make sure you responsibly contribute to the Boxer’s future and familiarize yourself with your dog’s DM results. With consciousness and a little bit of effort, we can make a huge positive impact on the breed for future generations!