An update on degenerative myelopathy in dogs

Abstract

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting dogs. In this paper, we outline the clinical picture for DM with regards to signalment, population susceptibility, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. The underlying genetics and histopathology are reviewed; these are areas requiring attention if we are to move forward in our understanding of this disease to a point where we can start designing and testing new therapies. We would like to raise awareness of the disease, because an increasing number of breeds have been recognised as being affected. The discovery of an SOD-1 gene mutation associated with the disease has led to a commercially available genetic screening test for dogs. It has also established the possibility, although this is not fully confirmed, that DM might represent a form of the human disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).