Let's keep Valerie and Duke in our prayers

[lizbud]

Sounds pretty positive to me. I do hope Duke's appetite perks up some
too.Buddy was Shep/Huskie and had some of those same problems with
hips,back legs & spine.I hope that this new medicine will help Duke get
around so much easier. Please give your boy a big hug from me.

[Cinder & Smoke]

The vet said that it could be a degenerative neurological disease
that German Sheperds sometimes get.

Val ~

Do a Google.com search for "Degenerative Myelopathy", which is probably
what the Vet mentioned.

"Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) was first described as a specific degenerative neurologic disease in 1973. Since then, much has been done to understand the processes involved in the disease and into the treatment of DM. Hopefully, this will help you understand the problem and to explain further the steps that can be taken to help dogs afflicted with DM.

The age at onset is 5 to 14 years, which corresponds to the third to sixth decades of human life. Although a few cases have been reported in other large breeds of dogs, the disease appears with relative frequency only in the German Shepherd breed, suggesting that there is a genetic predisposition for German Shepherd dogs (GSD) in developing DM. ..."

Duke may also bebefit from high doses of Glucosamine / Chondroitin / MSN -
to help the Athritis - did Doc mention any of those supplements??

Smokey's "Trick Knee" and Bowser's "stiff rear end" are both helped by the
Glucosamine.

And now that poor Bowser has been diagnosed as having Degenerative Myelopathy
in his left, rear foot & leg - he's switched to a generic combo of
Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSN
together with 400 IU of Vitamin E every day.
There is no cure for canine DM - the supplements may slow it down or help
to ease the discomfort.

Something to Note:
With DM - the dog really doesn't feel "pain" -
because the disease robs him of feeling in the effected limb.
"Pain" may, however, originate in joints suffering with Arthritis.

"Not being Hungry" is NOT symptomatic with Degenerative Meylopathy.

We'll say some Prayers the Duke starts Feelin Better!!

{{{Hugs}}} from Phred