Q. My 14-year-old male German shepherd mix was diagnosed with aherniated disc in his lower back. He lost use of one hind leg, thenthe other. When he tried to walk he knuckled his hind legs. He wasput on pain pills and two shots of cortisone, which didn't help. Ifinally put him to sleep. At the end the veterinarian said he had adegeneration of the spinal cord. Is it like any human disease? Anyinformation would be appreciated.
A. Degeneration of the spinal cord, or degenerative myelopathy,is most common in German shepherds and German shepherd mixed breeds,although it may be found in most large breeds.
Basically, it is a degeneration of the cells in the white matterof the cord, usually from the lower chest to the lower back. Itoccurs mostly in males more than 5 years old. The cause of theillness is unknown, although it is thought to be inherited.
At the beginning it may be difficult to diagnose, because thesymptoms resemble other diseases of the cord. It's progressive,usually leaving the dog paralyzed in the hind legs. There is usuallyno pain associated with the degeneration.
Prognosis is poor and there is no treatment.
Q. I have a 6-year-old German shepherd mix who weighs 50 pounds.Last week we had a tumor removed from his front leg. It wasdiagnosed as cancer. Amputation was recommended because it wasimpossible to get the entire tumor, and chemotherapy does not workwith this type of tumor.
I don't want to lose my dog, but I'm afraid he will have adifficult time getting around, especially stairs. This is a terribledecision to make - can you help me?
A. This is a difficult question to answer because everyone hasdifferent levels of what they can do for a handicapped pet. Somefolks consider it cruel to amputate, and others consider it cruel toeuthanize him. A dog accepts life as it is and will probably do wellwith only three legs. I have seen dogs fitted with a wooden orplastic leg - it works well once the dog gets used to it.
If you should decide on surgery, make sure the tumor hasn'tspread to other areas or the surgery will be useless. An X-ray ofthe chest is an absolute necessity.
If the dog is in good health and condition, I would go for it.
Send questions for veterinarian Sanford R. Blum, the AnimalDoctor, to the Chicago Sun-Times, 401 N. Wabash, Chicago 60611.Emergency problems should be handled by your veterinarian.
