How to prevent or test German Shepherds for degenerative myelopathy?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive neurologic condition that is more common in the German Shepherd Dog, but affects other breeds as well. I am assuming your vet suspects this condition because of hindlimb weakness/wobbliness. Because many things can cause similar symptoms, especially if pain is a component of the process, getting more of a definitive diagnosis can be helpful. There is a DNA genetic test for degenerative myelopathy that can help aide in diagnosis. You could talk to your vet about this if this would be helpful for you to know. Mainly because this can be a sad disease to help the pet through, especially in later stages. Most of the treatment is centered around supportive care, assistance walking, booties on feet, physical therapy. The person who would have the most up to date information on the treatments of this disease would be a veterinary neurologist. You could also talk to your regular vet about a referral if you feel that this would be helpful for you as well. The treatment you describe above likely comes from a specific veterinary neurologist that suggested some medications may be beneficial but this has not likely been backed up by reasearch yet unfortunately. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

While degenerative myelopathy is a concern giving your dogs breed and these clinical signs there are other possible causes. The MRI could help show if there could be an infection affecting the spinal cord, or herniated disc, or even some sort of mass that could be potential be removed. While none of those sound like good alternatives some of them may be curable or even manageable longer than to degenerative myelopathy.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to know just based on one picture though he does look like a black German Shepherd. You can always proceed with the DNA test to check the breed which is available online. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment to check for possible reasons of his perceived lack of growth. Your veterinarian would be able to obtain more information from you and also by doing a physical examination. Good luck and have a great day!

It is best to get a dog from a breeder that has breeding stock that is OFA certified. Whether or not the vet checks, shots, dewormer are included is up to you. Any dog, but especially a GSD, with hip dysplasia is going to cost you a lot of money and the dog a lot of pain. Go with the OFA tested parents regardless of the price.

Von Willebrand can be tested for with blood tests, and you can ask the breeder for copies of tests to prove the sire and dam do not have it. In terms of Wobbler syndrome, you can ask the breeder if they have a history of dogs with this syndrome. I hope this helps!

Osteochondritis dissecans does indeed have a genetic component, however there is no specific test to screen breeding dogs. Early diagnosis is possible through a physical exam and x-rays. Breeds with a predisposition are larger breeds (Labs, Goldens, Shepherds, Great Danes, Newfies, Boxers, etc.). Furthermore, different breeds may develop different types of OCD. Most dogs will show clinical signs early, around 6 months of age. Affected dogs should not be used in breeding stock. Wick should be physically examined by your veterinarian and have x-rays taken. They can be reviewed by a veterinary radiologist. If he has OCD, then he should be treated accordingly and not used as a stud dog.

Hi Lou! Yes, you are correct that there is a concern about getting a puppy from parents who are siblings, even half siblings. This increasing the risk of the dog having recessive genes expressed which can adversely affect their health. Siblings should never be bred to each other, and a responsible breeder would never allow that to happen. In my opinion, I would not get a puppy from this litter, and instead find a breeder who does not allow siblings to be bred to each other. Also make sure the breeder does health tests on the sire and dam to make sure that genetic diseases which are common in this breed of dog are not present, thus making the puppies as healthy as possible. Good luck, I hope this helps!