what is cdrm in a 9yr old german shepard?

Question

i have a german shepard ***** aged 9years old and i took her to the vets monday 16th april 2007 and vet told she has early stages off CDRM waste off muscle tissue in the back legs can some one help if the any websites i can get advice off

Answer 1

never heard of this ... is it related to HIP DYSPLAYSIA which is quite common in poorly bred shepherd dog lines. did you look up cdrm on the computer??? did you ask the vet what it stood for???

Answer 2

Description
Chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) has been described as the most common cause of progressive hindlimb dysfunction in older German Shepherd Dogs.

Cause
The cause is unknown. The degeneration occurs in the dorsolateral funiculi in the white matter of the spinal cord, and in the dorsal spinal roots. Some authors have suggested an autoimmune basis for the disease, and depressed cell-mediated immunity may be present in some individuals.

Breed Occurrence
CDRM occurs almost exclusively in the older German Shepherd Dog, although other large breeds may also be affected.

Signs
Affected dogs gradually lose the use of their hindlegs with ataxia, they criss-cross their legs and may trip themselves up when turning, they wear down the top of their nails and scuff the tops of their toes. Paresis (weakness) and loss of proprioception (positional sense) results. If the foot is placed in a knuckled over position the dog fails, or is slow to lift and place it properly. If legs are moved away from the body (abducted), or moved inwards towards the body (adducted) the dog does not immediately replace it in correct alignment with the body.

Dogs with CDRM do get frustrated when they find that they can not jump up (eg into the back of a car) or perform normal daily activities (such as getting up stairs) , but they do not exhibit signs of pain or discomfort.

Complications
Trauma to the feet can lead to bleeding.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made based upon clinical signs and the absence of another cause. The definitive diagnosis is confirmed by postmortem histological examination of the spinal cord.



Treatment
There is no known treatment for this condition.

Vitamin E (2000iu/day) and aminocaproic acid have been administered by some authors in the belief that their respective anti-inflammatory and antiprotease activities might benefit patients. This treatment is not generally accepted as being effective.

Prognosis
The rate of progression varies greatly from one dog to another. Once they are unable to get up management of large dogs becomes a problem for many owners. A canine cart can help provide mobility to immobile patients. Fortunately, dogs with CDRM rarely develop incontinence so many dogs can live for several years with this condition.

Long term problems
Trauma to limbs and extremities, and callus formation due to long periods of recumbancy.

Im sorry to say that your dog was badly bred. it is a hereditary disease. Her lifespan will only be about 1-2 more years, psossibly less.

My deepest condolences,
Charlotte

Answer 3

Charlotte's answer is text book and spot on with the description of symptoms, prognosis etc. but I think her comment that your dog is 'badly bred' is a little unkind.

This condition is so prevalent in German Shepherds that I think that you would be hard pushed to find any breeder who has never bred a pup that was diagnosed with CDRM in old age.

My first GSD was diagnosed with this heart-breaking but painless condition in the 1970s. At that time it was just accepted that GSDs 'went in the back end' as they got old. I offered my dog's body for research and was told that no research was being done.

Because of pressure from owners and breeders research is being done now but the cause of the condition is still unknown.

I accept that it is hereditary so I can see where Charlotte is coming from but I know that breeders of good, strong well-reared GSDs still find that CDRM will come through in their breeding no matter how carefully they select their breeding stock.

Simon K C has also supplied you with a really comprehensive description and, as you will see, exactly how the disease is transmitted and therefore how it can be eradicated is still unknown.

Answer 4

So sorry to hear about your dog. It is, unfortunately a fairly common condition in older GSDs. Here's a few links which may help:
http://www.gsdleague.co.uk/articles/articles_ben.htm
http://www.gsdhelpline.com/colla.htm
It is heartbreaking, because the dog is fine in herself, but eventually loses the use of her back legs. The only consolation is that it is not painful for the dog & that some dogs can remain mobile for quite a long time after it is diagnosed.
The GSD Helpline has a list of people you can contact - perhaps you could try them for further information
Good Luck with your girl

Answer 5

It is called Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy. The link I provided will help you. I am so sorry you have to go through this. It isn't a pretty disease. Some dogs do just fine and others deteriorate very quickly so I can't help you with how bad it is going to get. Just love him and enjoy whatever time you have with him. Again, I am so sorry.

The second link is to a yahoo group for GSD genetics. There are a few members there with personal experiences of caring for dogs with this disease. I suggest you join and ask for some advice.

Answer 6

Awww i think of it particularly is super!! i've got had countless enormous dogs inc 2 german shepherd crosses. through fact they're so clever and designed to artwork they choose for a undertaking - lot of exercising, obedience preparation and toys that they might desire to "determine" (like those balls you hide the treats in). If his coat is long it is going to choose for properly-known brushing even although that's not too puzzling. guard dogs are impressive and look to savour the possibility of a sparkling life! they many times have a pair of subject concerns and that i might actually keep him on a lead till you experience you particularly comprehend him and have faith him. Ask the guard how he's around different dogs. additionally, think of forward (i comprehend that's tricky!) 10 years from now - you will nonetheless have the dogs, yet will you have youngsters as properly? Do you think of he'd fit in with youngsters? a variety of of mothers and fathers finally end up getting rid of their dogs through fact they grow to be aggressive with their babies. enormous dogs may be a handful on the lead so that's priceless to to get a halti or some thing that might actually assist you administration him. they're so good, fairly in the event that they take off after some thing. This dogs sounds slightly frightened, so he's probable submissive that's sturdy. the only difficulty may be "concern biting" yet i think of the guard will comprehend if he's in a position. German Shepherds are impressive dogs and so unswerving, i'm constructive he would be a sweetie. All of our rescues have been loving and amazing dogs. it will make you experience so sturdy to offer him a house and he will adore you. I say choose for it! in basic terms be arranged for the foodstuff charges lol.

Answer 7

During my career as Vet for the past 11 years, I haven't came across any such condition here in India. CDRM condition, as far as I think, could be triggered by the dietery habits of GSDs out there. One humble advice fron my side is to avoid redymade food and substitute it with home made food including fresh vegetables and cooked fresh meat. Also provide with calcium tablets and vitamin D3 suppliments.

Answer 8

this is a bit long winded, but here it goes,

related terms: chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, German shepherd dog myelopathy

What is degenerative myelopathy?

This disorder affects dogs 5 years of age or older. There is a slowly progressive loss of coordination in the hind limbs, with increasing weakness. This occurs because of deterioration of structures in the spinal cord that are responsible for conduction of nerve impulses (specifically the loss of myelin and degeneration of axons in the white matter). Although the changes may be found anywhere in the spinal cord, they are most severe in the lower back (thoracolumbar) region.

The cause of these changes is not known. There is evidence that an inappropriate immune response (to a neural antigen) may be involved.

How is degenerative myelopathy inherited?

The mode of inheritance is not known.

What breeds are affected by degenerative myelopathy?

This condition is seen most often in the German shepherd and German shepherd crosses. Degenerative myelopathy has also been reported in other large and medium breeds, including the Kerry blue terrier, collie, Siberian husky, Belgian shepherd, old English sheepdog, Labrador retriever and Chesapeake Bay retriever.

For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.

What does degenerative myelopathy mean to your dog & you?

The condition is seen in dogs 5 years of age or older. The changes develop slowly and may initially be blamed on hip dysplasia. The first signs are weakness and lack of coordination in the hind limbs, which are more apparent when the dog is walking on a smooth surface. One side may be more severely affected than the other. The condition does not appear to be painful, and dogs retain the ability to control urination and defecation, although as they become progressively weaker they will be unable to move to an appropriate spot or assume the necessary posture.

These signs gradually worsen until the dog is unable to walk, usually several months to a year after the neurologic problems are first noticed.

How is degenerative myelopathy diagnosed?

There are several conditions that can cause this kind of weakness in the hind end, in middle-aged medium to large breed dogs. Your veterinarian will do a thorough neurologic exam on your dog and x-rays, to rule out other causes.

For the veterinarian: Rule-outs include diskospondylitis, myelitis, intervertebral disc protrusion, and spinal neoplasia. Abnormalities on neurologic examination are consistent with an upper motor neuron lesion in the T3-L3 region, and include decreased proprioception and placing reactions in the hind limbs, normal to exaggerated patellar and hind limb withdrawal reflexes, normal anal sphincter tone, and sometimes crossed extensor reflexes in the pelvic limbs. Occasionally patellar reflexes are depressed or absent in one or even both legs, but this is an afferent rather than an LMN lesion.

How is degenerative myelopathy treated?

Although there is no specific treatment for this condition, supportive care can generally be provided for several months.Your veterinarian will suggest ways to help you adjust to your dog's gradually increasing limitations, and to recognize the point at which euthanasia becomes the best option. This is usually within a year of the initial diagnosis, when your dog is no longer able to walk.

Some believe that treatment with a combination of increased exercise, vitamin supplementation and aminocaproic acid can slow the progression of this disease (see Clemmons below), but controlled studies have not been carried out that demonstrate this.

Breeding advice

Because clinical signs don't develop until well after sexual maturity, it is safest to avoid breeding any dogs from families where degenerative myelopathy has been diagnosed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

Answer 9

My sister lost a German Shepard to this (with a pedigree full of champians & Seigers) - very difficult for the breeders to deal with since it doesn't have any sign untill the dog will have grandchildren ....

Answer 10

I assume this is a type of arthritis as many breeds such as collies and alsatians suffer from this, treatment is much the same as for humans cod liver oil and oily fish every other day.

Answer 11

Hope this helps, it's an all-natural web site for animals...My friends at work swear by it....