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Degenerative Myelopathy
Hi all,
I am new to this post and was after some advice regarding my 8 yr old GSD who has been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy. My vet has not been very helpful as apparently this disease is not curable, all he has said that giving my dog (Charlie) L-Carnitine, up to 1000mg per day. I have looked all over the web and can find no relation between this supliment and the disease, whilst I want to do anything I can to make my dogs quality of life better, I do not want to give him anything that may cause him extra harm or stress. The only info I can get on L-Carnitine is that it is used almost as a steroid to build muscle growth, but the problem with Charlie lies within his spinal cord. Anyone who can provide any info or advice would be appreciated. Regards Richard |
#2
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Degenerative Myelopathy
In article . com,
wrote: The only info I can get on L-Carnitine is that it is used almost as a steroid to build muscle growth, but the problem with Charlie lies within his spinal cord. I can't speak to the L-Carnitine question but it's worth noting that one of the consequences of DM is muscle loss in the hind end. Sorry to hear about your dog - I've had two dogs with degenerative myelopathy and it just sucks. -- Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community |
#3
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Degenerative Myelopathy
I would strongly recommend that you go to this site:
http://www.mzjf.com/dm.html I think you will find the information you are seeking. Best of luck, scott wrote: Hi all, I am new to this post and was after some advice regarding my 8 yr old GSD who has been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy. ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#4
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Degenerative Myelopathy
wrote in message
ups.com... I am new to this post and was after some advice regarding my 8 yr old GSD who has been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy. Richard, ...........DM is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. How did your vet come about this diagnosis? This is a rather critical point, as it is possible that DM is not what your dog has, despite the fact that he is a GSD. My vet has not been very helpful as apparently this disease is not curable, all he has said that giving my dog (Charlie) L-Carnitine, up to 1000mg per day. Dr. Clemmons from U. of FL has worked on DM for years. I've never personally known anyone to try his whole regime, but he claims an 80% improvement rate: http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm Some comments on Clemmons' regime by Dr. Allen Schoen: http://www.gcci.org/ciah/articles/degenerative.html Some universities claim they've seen no results with medications suggested by Clemmons. Meds aren't the only thing he suggests though, so I wonder if they put dogs on the full regime (including diet) suggested by Clemmons if they'd see any kind of stabilization or improvement. There's really no way to know. And no one else is really even trying to do anything about treatment. So here's a different point of view, plus a good discussion of how to do a neuro exam for DM.: http://siriusdog.com/articles/degene...erman-shepherd -dm.htm This is an information and support site with support group you can join. NOthing better than talking to people who are battling the same disease: http://www.mzjf.com/main.htm I have looked all over the web and can find no relation between this supliment and the disease, whilst I want to do anything I can to make my dogs quality of life better, I do not want to give him anything that may cause him extra harm or stress. L-carnitine is an amino acid found in meat. It's really important for the heart muscle and is often supplemented for heart problems. Perhaps your vet thinks it will help keep the hind leg muscles from wasting away. I don't know about at 1000 mg dose, seems pretty high. From what I read, exercise is the crucial key to keep the muscles from wasting away. Swimming is especially good. ........I think you need a new vet. You need one that not necessarily knows anything about DM, as most vets will probably tell you it's untreatable, to keep up the exercise and give some Vit E, but one that is open to working with you if you decide to try the whole shebang Dr. Clemmons suggests. I don't know if it will help, but personally I wouldn't think you have anything to lose. buglady take out the dog before replying |
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