R.M. Clemmons, DVM, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery
SACS, College of Veterinary Medicine
Box 100126, HSC
2015 SW 16th Avenue, V2-107
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32610-0126
352.392.4700
With the CBC vial, you must enclose a $50 donation made out to the University of Florida Foundation. On the memo portion of the check, you must write "For Dr Clemmons Research".
Degenerative Myelopathy is believed to be an inflammatory, autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the dog's central nervous system. This attack leads to a loss of insulation around the nerve fibers (myelin) and of nerve fibers (axons). The animal can no longer walk, once the nerves in the spinal cord are destroyed. Without nerve connections, muscles cannot work. The control pathways that make muscles work are located all throughout the spinal cord.
In another words, to simplify things, DM = inflammatory autoimmune disease= immune system attack's central nervous system = loss of myelin and axons=nerves in spinal cord destroyed = control pathways destroyed =muscles wont work = dog loses ability to walk.
I hope this article has explained the various stages of Degenerative Myelopathy, and has imparted greater knowledge in relation to correctly dealing with the mobility problems associated with DM. I pray that none of you will ever need this information...
Marjorie Zimmerman Founder: The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group: http://mzjf.com
The Degenerative Myelopathy Pedigree Board: http://p208.ezboard.com/bthegermanshepherddogdegenerativemyelopathypedigreeboard80626 The Degenerative Myelopathy Survey: http://www.mzjf.info/survey.htm Heaven's Gate: A cause of death database for the German Shepherd Dog http://www.mzjf.info/hgate
