Degenerative Myopathy --
is a slowly progressing
paralysis of the rear quarters in middle-aged to old German
Shepherds. Initially, the dog drags its rear toes slightly and
scrapes the tops of the toenails as it walks. This progresses
to knuckling over of the rear paws and crossing of the feet during
walking. The forelegs function normally, and affected dogs are
otherwise in good health.
The disease progresses
until affected dogs eventually cannot rise or walk on the rear legs.
The rear leg muscles undergo severe wasting (atrophy). The
cause of this degeneration in unknown, but the underlying disease is
degeneration of the white matter in the spinal cord.
Epilepsy -- is
relatively common in dogs. Nerve cells in the brain function
by transmission of electric impulses. Epilepsy is a sudden,
excessive discharge of electrical energy in groups of brain cells,
causing a seizure or convulsion. Why this spontaneous
discharge occurs, we do not know, but in many cases the condition is
Just because a dog
seizures, does not mean that he/she has epilepsy. There are a
multitude of causes of seizures, including liver disease, kidney
disease, antifreeze poisoning, tumors, thyroid problems, low blood
Epilepsy usually becomes
apparent between 6 months and 6 years of age. Nearly all
breeds, including mixed breeds, have been affected. Treatment
for epilepsy does not cure the disease. Instead, treatment
controls the condition by decreasing the frequency, duration, and
severity of the seizures.