Degenerative Myelopathy & Raw Food Diet

[angclarke]

Hello :)

Our 8yo Chocolate Labrador has just been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy..

I've been doing a fair bit of research over the past few days, and while I am aware that this disease is incurable, I have read a lot about natural remedies & putting him onto a Raw Food Diet.

I am just wondering if anyone out there has had any positive results with regards to Degenerative Myelopathy & putting their dog onto a raw food diet and/or natural/herbal remedies?

I'm clutching at straws at the moment trying to figure out the best direction to head to give our boy the best quality of life.

Any suggestions/info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in Advanced :)

Warm regards

Angela

[persephone]

welcome !

Sorry the news that brings you here is not the happiest

personally I cannot be of help , but - the raw food thread is VERY long and FULL of wonderful information. CLICK HERE

Also, I suggest you make contact with teh good folk at McDowell Herbal . They will listen, advise and try & help. CLICK HERE

take care.

[angclarke]

welcome !

Sorry the news that brings you here is not the happiest

personally I cannot be of help , but - the raw food thread is VERY long and FULL of wonderful information. CLICK HERE

Also, I suggest you make contact with teh good folk at McDowell Herbal . They will listen, advise and try & help. CLICK HERE

take care.

Thank you Persephone!

I have already been in touch with the crew at McDowell Herbal & I have found them VERY helpful!

As for the raw food diet...SO much information :/ It's hard to know exactly what to do!! But I shall keep reading & hopefully find a solution :)

[White Shepherd mom]

I am sorry for your lab's diagnosis Angela. My white GSD has had DM for almost 4 years now and only in the last couple of months has he needed a doggy wheelchair to go on his walks. He still gets around the house mostly unaided but sometimes needs some help to get up.

I don't feed him raw so I can't answer your question. He needs a low fat, low protein diet and he's doing well on his dry food (Nutro weight management) mixed with a little brown rice, chicken and veggies and a can of tuna every couple of nights. I do remember that his therapist suggested turmeric is a good spice to add to his food though I've been a bit slack with that. And of course it's crucial to keep him lean.

I know your question relates to diet only and I'm sure you've spent hours looking through the internet but I'll impart a little knowledge here, your number one weapon is exercise, as far and as long as he can handle, every day. Make him climb stuff, like rockeries, small hills, logs, etc. Do lots of sit-to-stand, walk in circles, walk zig-zags up and down pavements. Also, watch out for arthritis, especially as the hind legs weaken and the front legs have to do more work.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Wishing you and your boy strength.

[LisaCC]

I'm very sorry about your dogs diagnosis. It's a hard thing to watch,

I can't answer your question about raw, as my lab also had IBD so was on a strict diet, but I 100% agree with White Shepherd Mom.

You need to do rehabilitation exercises with him, there are simple things like walking up hills and in sand but there are lots you can do strengthen his hind end. Caveletti jumps are a good exercise, which are small jumps placed at just the right distance apart that the dog trots through them (not jumps) and picks up his feet.

It might be a good idea to talk to a vet and see if they can write up an exercise program for you or refer you to a specialist who can

Edited August 14, 2014 by LisaCC

[LisaCC]

Oh and if he doesn't already have a thick padded bed, I suggest making or buying one. As thick and cushioning as you can get.

[White Shepherd mom]

I'm very sorry about your dogs diagnosis. It's a hard thing to watch,

I can't answer your question about raw, as my lab also had IBD so was on a strict diet, but I 100% agree with White Shepherd Mom.

You need to do rehabilitation exercises with him, there are simple things like walking up hills and in sand but there are lots you can do strengthen his hind end. Caveletti jumps are a good exercise, which are small jumps placed at just the right distance apart that the dog trots through them (not jumps) and picks up his feet.

It might be a good idea to talk to a vet and see if they can write up an exercise program for you or refer you to a specialist who can

Thanks for the back-up Lisa :) Re the Caveletti jumps, this is what we built for Casper (excuse the lack of focus!):

He also goes to rehab every second week and does underwater treadmill. Which reminds me Angela, it's also good for your lab to walk in shallow water up to his belly as it helps carry his weight. You can put a floatation harness with a handle on him so that you can support him if he needs it.

[Mim]

My old girl had DM and the best thing that helped her was regular acupuncture.

She was fed a raw diet but I can't say if it made a difference or not.