Daily controlled physiotherapy increases survival time in dogs with suspected degenerative myelopathy.

Canine degenerative myelopathy: biochemical characterization of superoxide dismutase 1 in the first naturally occurring non-human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model.

Mutations in canine superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) have recently been shown to cause canine degenerative myelopathy, a disabling neurodegenerative disorder affecting specific breeds of dogs characterized by progressive motor neuron loss and paralysis until death, or more common, euthanasia. This discovery makes canine degenerative myelopathy the first and only naturally occurring non-human model...

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features of canine compressive cervical myelopathy with suspected hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion.

OBJECTIVE To describe clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features in dogs with compressive cervical myelopathy due to acute suspected hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS Ten dogs with compressive cervical myelopathy caused by acute suspected hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical records and magnetic resonance ima...

Breed Distribution of SOD1 Alleles Previously Associated with Canine Degenerative Myelopathy

BACKGROUND Previous reports associated 2 mutant SOD1 alleles (SOD1:c.118A and SOD1:c.52T) with degenerative myelopathy in 6 canine breeds. The distribution of these alleles in other breeds has not been reported. OBJECTIVE To describe the distribution of SOD1:c.118A and SOD1:c.52T in 222 breeds. ANIMALS DNA from 33,747 dogs was genotyped at SOD1:c.118, SOD1:c.52, or both. Spinal cord section...

Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs: Current Issues on Diagnosis, Pathogenesis and Treatment

Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Phosphorylated Neurofilament Heavy as a Diagnostic Marker of Canine Degenerative Myelopathy

BACKGROUND No definitive, antemortem diagnostic test for canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is available. Phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNF-H) is a promising biomarker for nervous system diseases. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum pNF-H is a detectable biological marker for diagnosis of canine DM. ANIMALS Fifty-three DM-affected, 27 neurologically normal, 7 asy...