Degenerative Myelopathy.

In a previous dog health article I wrote about the health of our dogs, and how we owners can recognize when they are feeling unwell or suffering pain. The article encouraged our readers to run their hands over their own dog regularly, and to make a series of quick and easy checks to ensure all is well.

Events of the past few weeks have convinced me more strongly than ever of the importance of doing this. When I wrote that article, I was totally unaware that just a short time ahead, those routine checks that I make on my own dogs would throw up a potentially serious problem with one of them.

Tayla, my young Golden Retriever, is just approaching her third birthday. She has had excellent health, and is always full of energy. As soon as her lead is unclipped, she delights in rolling energetically on her back in the long grass, and then throws herself into a deep play bow as she invites Ashla, our German Shepherd, to chase and romp with her. Ashla enjoys the game as much as Tayla, despite the fact that both of her back legs are now weakened by Degenerative Myelopathy, the problem so many of her breed suffer.

Five weeks ago, while running my hands over Tayla, I found a small amount of swelling around the "wrist" joint in her right foreleg. A day or two later she began to limp slightly. We rested her for a few days - no easy feat with a young and energetic dog. It did not improve, so I took her along to our vet who thought it was most likely that she had injured the joint while playing. She had an anti inflammatory injection, and anti-inflammatory medication for a week, plus more rest. It is really very difficult to keep a young and otherwise healthy dog resting, and we spent a good deal of time in the following days putting a stop to the many games she and Ashla instigated.

She had no exercise for a week, other than short periods in the garden. She was very miserable when Ashla was taken out and she was left behind. We could hear her plaintive cries following us up the road. Her movement improved to near normal, with a slight limp occasionally occurring. The swelling was still apparent, but a damaged joint can take some time to repair, so we were not too concerned. Then she developed a "hot spot" under her jaw and down her chest - an area of raw, weeping and irritating skin from which the hair quickly disappeared.

This is something I had not experienced before, but knew from friends who have had Goldies for many years that the breed is prone to this problem. Back to the vet again and this time she had antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory injection and some steroid cream. A week later the "hot spot" was healing well, the hair began to regrow and we heaved a sigh of relief. We returned to our usual exercise and play sessions. Tayla was very keen to go out the minute her lead appeared from the cupboard. She was her usual mad-cap self again, running, rolling, plodging in the lake and the stream, and encouraging Ashla to join in the fun.

Ashla, who is a little more sedate and none too keen on going into water, stood on the bank watching and then joined in a romp with Tayla when she returned to dry land. They had great fun playing tug-of-war with a toy clamped in Ashla's strong jaws while Tayla pulled on the cord dangling from the toy.

All seemed back to normal and although we returned to our more usual pattern of walks, runs and games, I continued to check the slightly swollen area of her leg daily. One morning last week she began to limp again and the swelling became more apparent. Back we went to our vet, and this time Tayla spent half a day in the surgery. She had a general anaesthetic and was x-rayed to try to find out the cause of this persistent swelling and limping. Our vet rang as soon as the examination was finished. The news was devastating. Tayla has a tumour on one of the long bones in her foreleg. Of the various possibilities I had thought about, a tumour had just not entered my mind. The first instinctive thought is "She is too young for that". But x-rays do not tell lies.

Just what kind of tumour is involved is unclear from the x-rays. We talked about the various possibilities, and here I am lucky. We have had the same vet for many years, he knows us and our dogs well and is very direct with us. At the moment it is impossible to tell whether or not the tumour is malignant or benign. Further investigation will be necessary. Our vet had taken the trouble to x-ray her chest as well as her leg one type of tumour often also affects the chest, but thankfully that was clear.

Tayla is being referred to a specialist Oncologist many miles from our home county, and we are waiting to take her at the end of this week. The period of waiting for the specialist opinion is very hard - we will be glad when it has been done, and there is a clearer picture of what lies ahead. Tayla will probably have a biopsy to determine the nature of the tumour. She, and we, may be fortunate and it will prove to be benign. Even so, some surgery may still be necessary as the persistent limp implies that the tumour is impeding her natural movement. If it proves to be malignant, she may have surgery to remove the affected bone, and she may also need radiotherapy.

 There is one type of tumour which is particularly dangerous as it can spread to other parts of the body. We have had to face the fact that there may be nothing that can be done for her. At the moment life is all "ifs", "buts", and "maybes". We are trying to stay positive, and keep in mind that Tayla is young, fit and otherwise healthy. She is having the best possible veterinary care, and whatever she needs she will have. She has great charm; she's so merry, friendly and outgoing. Her Goldie "smile" combined with her willingness to stand and be stroked and patted by every child in the neighbourhood has won her countless friends. Many people will be thinking of her and wishing her well in the weeks ahead.

For the benefit of new readers or those who did not see our December edition, below is a note the health checks suggested. They take only a few minutes each day, and will enable you to recognise when there is a problem.

Eyes.
Check they are clean with no sign of weeping. Toss a biscuit for the dog to catch to ensure he is able to see clearly. Elderly dogs may show some clouding in their eyes - mention this on the next veterinary check.

Ears.
Check there is no unpleasant odour or discharge coming from each ear. If you suspect the presence of grass seeds, keep ear dry and take the dog to the vet for the grass seeds to be removed. These can be intensely painful and swell on contact with any liquid.

Feet.
Check for cuts, broken nails, and ensure there are no small cysts between the pads. Check length of nails and clip if necessary.

Mouth.
Check that the breath is pleasant, that there are no small pieces of broken stick between the teeth. Check the teeth for cracks, decay, and check gums are normal colour. Very pale or very red gums need investigation.

Skin/coat.
Check for evidence of parasites. Check the whole body gently for any lumps - never neglect a lump. Usually these are simply benign fatty deposits, but having them checked makes good sense.

Mammary glands.
Look for any swelling and feel gently for any lumps around the mammary glands

Genital organs.
Check for any wounds. Check the bitch is not showing signs of coming into season (swelling of the vulva). Check male dogs to ensure there are no signs of swellings around testicles.

Urine.
Check the dog is having no difficulty passing urine. Check frequency.
Water intake - check that the dog is not drinking greatly increased or greatly reduced quantities of water. Report increase or decrease intake to vet.

Faeces.
Check the consistency is normal, e.g. no diarrhoea or very small hard faeces. Both of these conditions need investigation if they are present for more than twenty four hours.

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