Degenerative myelopathy is a slowly developing degenerative disease of the spinal cord. The disease mainly impacts the spinal cord’s white matter which carries movement and sensory information to the body.

German Shepherds seem to be most frequently afflicted with this condition.

Your dog’s hind legs will be weak so that your dog will likely be unsteady and perhaps drag the hind paws while walking. Your dog may have a tendency to fall down when urinating and defecating.

Various causes for this condition are suspected including hereditary factors, diet-related issues and immune-mediated triggers.

Your vet will make a diagnosis primarily by ruling out other neurological conditions that may cause similar symptoms. To do this, your vet will use blood tests and diagnostic imaging techniques such as x-rays, ultrasound, MRIs, and CT scans.

There have not been any proven effective treatments developed. Steroids and vitamin A and C supplements are sometimes used, but they have not been very successful in treating the condition.

There are no known preventative methods. However, because of the suspected genetic link, you should not acquire a dog who has a family history of this condition  

No, you cannot develop get this disease from your dog.