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Diesel's Diary

Goodbye Diesel

Last night we had to put Diesel down.
He could no longer walk or stand.
He was very happy till the end though.
Brought him to the vet where he loved to go, and as he lay under a shady tree, our vet ended his pain.

we are heart broken. Diesel, you are loved and missed very much.

Poor Tia has been looking for you all day.

Degenerative myelopathy ( have been told Diesel has this )

Myelopathy
This Canine Neurological Illness Resembles Human Multiple Sclerosis
© Jennifer Gerics

Jan 10, 2007

A chronic, degenerative disease that affects dogs is very similar to human multiple sclerosis. Both conditions destroy the myelin that covers nerves.
Overview

A fellow Suite101 health writer, Elaine Moore, told me about a neurological disorder that has stricken her dog, Buddy. It resembles multiple sclerosis in that it could be autoimmune in nature, and it also destroys the protective myelin tissue that covers the nerves. Degenerative myelopathy appears to affect older dogs and it ravages their muscle coordination, especially in the hind limbs.

Affected Breeds

Some dog breeds are more susceptible to degenerative myelopathy, including German shepherds, collies, Siberian huskies, Labrador retrievers, Belgian shepherds, and kerry blue terriers.

Symptoms/Factors:

older dogs (5 + years)
originally slow to develop and not always obvious to vet or caretaker
lack of coordination in the hind limbs
weakness in hind limbs
can be unilateral (one-sided) or affect both sides
Degenerative Myelopathy progresses to a point where a dog can no longer walk (several months to a year after onset)
Prognosis

Veterinarians test dogs for degenerative myelopathy by first ruling out other diseases. X-rays may be done. A neurological exam can determine damaged reflexes and muscle tone caused by damaged nerves. A spinal tap may be done.

There is currently no specific, conclusive treatment to stop the progression. Because dogs' lives are shorter than humans', degenerative myelopathy has a proportionally shorter course of progression. multiple sclerosis can progress slowly (although not always) over several decades, but DM tends to disable within a year. Hopefully veterinary science will develop disease-modifying drugs similar to those used for MS to slow or hault the progression of this insidious disease. The hope, like for all neurological disorders, is to find a cure. For further reference: http://vetmedicine.about.com.

*****For more information about MS, check out the Multiple Sclerosis Suite.

*****For




We have been told that Diesel has this, but he also has other symtoms of disorders.
He is now about 7 yrs old, and holding strong!

Hanging in there!

Well, I have had a few rough times but still am walking and doing well.

My owners thank God that I am still with them, and I also thank Him for everyday , and my good health thus far!!!