Degenerative Myelopathy-The Reality

 In all of my blog posts regarding Athena I have described Athena's journey.
There is a difference between reading/hearing about it and living it or experiencing it.

This video is 24 minutes or so. It's essentially chronicling Athena's life from adoption to her battle with DM.   
This is what she lived & how she was until the end.

Pupdate: Athena Marie August 14 2020

 In April 2014 I began this blog as a way to chronicle Athena's road to recovery for those who wanted to know how she was doing.  

It began right after adoption day when we brought her home with infections & a weak legs from living in cramped & unhealthy conditions in the mill she lived in.

As time went on this page evolved to including Duchess, Peryn, Lada, & Now Volos.  Also as Athena's disease started to manifest itself and progress, I've updated as time went on. 

It's with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Athena has been released from her current prison, her body.  SHe now runs free with her older pack siblings and no longer requires a cart.

Over the past few months I had noticed a slow decline in her physcial and mental states.  She has exhibited most of the late stage symptoms and if a decision was not made, would enter the crisis stage.

Two weekends ago we were able to take her to the new Dog Farm where she ran, explored, and had a great time with her pack.

Last Friday she went to day care and had a fabulous time running all over. 

Since then she has been unable to hold herself up in the cart.  Yesterday she attended day care for the final time.  She went in a wagon vs a cart.   

She's been spoiled big time the past few weeks.  We sent out a notice to family & friends indicating that if they wanted to see her one last time, they better come and see her. 

She's had visitors come love upon her and last night one of her BFFs Mom & human brother came and she got to eat a full cupcake to herself as well as get loved on. 

The worst part of all this is that she's mentally alert & present.  When she's up and getting attention or around her siblings, she's very responsive.   We have to keep reminding ourselves it's her body that failed her.   She no longer has the quality of life she used to. 

She was spoiled rotten these past few days and we know she left this world surrounded by love. Yesterday Daycare & human snacks. Today for lunch was McDonalds.  We loved on her as much as we could before the appointment. 

We are heartbroken, yet relieved.   She no longer has to watch from the sidelines.  

Below the photos is some DM information .

Below I'm leaving some info  to Degenerative Myelopathy for your reading up on this horrible disease. A link at the top takes you to a page with a number of Different links to more detailed DM information.

F Y I - Athena lived approximately 2.5+ years after initial symptoms began presenting themselves. 

Quick DM information

Afflicts dogs in their older years. It is a progressive condition affecting the spinal cord causing the dog to become paraplegic after six months to one year. 

The disease ultimately reaches the brain stem and cranial nerves and, since there is no cure, it leads to death.

The onset of this condition is typically when the dog is between eight and 14 years old. 

The long-term prognosis is poor and most animals are euthanized within 6 months to 3 years of diagnosis as the disease progresses. 

When they can no longer walk and a cart is not an option, end of life care or euthanasia should be considered.

Early Stages

Progressive weakness of the hind limbs

Worn nails

Difficulty rising

Stumbling

Knuckling of the toes

Scuffing hind feet

Wearing of the inner digits of the rear paws

Loss of muscle in the rear legs

Tremors of the rear legs

Late Stages

Persistent early stages

Urinary and fecal incontinence

Eventual front leg weakness from compensatory strain

Mental stress and anxiety

Pressure sores on boney prominences

Inability to rise

Muscle atrophy

Poor hygiene - soiled appearance

Pneumonia

Depression

Infection/sepsis

Constipation

Organ failure

Crisis — Seek Vet immediately

Difficulty breathing

Prolonged seizures

Uncontrollable vomiting/diarrhea

Sudden collapse

Profuse bleeding — internal or external

Crying/whining from pain

The hardest part #1 The way things were...

APRIL 6 2020--  Athena's Gotcha Day-- 6 YEARS

Cuddling with Daddy-Day1

Anyone who has followed this blog for sometime has been here for the ups and downs with Athena.   This sweet girl had a cruddy life prior to us and we did our best to love her and give her happiness.   I'd like to think we succeeded.


Her Degenerative Myelopathy has been an unfair -hideous circumstance in this beautiful girl's life.   

How she looked first week with us

After bringing Athena home, she was a very loving and sweet dog. She longed for cuddles and affection.   As she became more confident in our house she blossomed.

She loved playing with other dogs. Her greatest joy was playing with Duchess, MasterChief, Barkley, and then Bridger.   She absolutely loved going to dog parks.

She could run around barking at other dogs, chasing them, corralling young /small dogs, and getting pets from the humans.      

Running at the park

It was at these dog parks that we also got to see the walks she was getting had strengthened her legs. Where she once fell behind, she now was running among the pack. 

She was nicknamed "Referee" because she would often get in between fighting and play fighting dogs.  Barking her way in to break it up.

Barking. EVERY emotion had a noise. Barking was her favorite form of expressing those emotions.  Gun shots from the gun range--BARKING.  Squirrels running by--BARKING.  Other dogs being walked--BARKING.  Happiness at playing with the other dogs--BARKING.      

Enjoying the run

I nicknamed her Ms Barks-A-Lot  or Barky Bark and the Furry Bunch. 

I LOVE THIS PLACE

One area that never changed in all her time with us is her reaction to food.   She would eat almost ANYTHING given to her.  She would snarl and bark at any dog that came near.  She loves her food and she does not share. EVER. This is one aspect that even today she has.   Don't come near her food or treats. She growls and snaps at the other dogs.





Athena really is a pack dog. That became apparent with Peryn and then Lada. She adored playing with them.   Where Duchess had a rough and tumble play style, Athena was more light wrestling.    She was very particular about which dogs she did this with.


In all her time with us, the ONLY dogs she ever played with were : Duchess, Master Chief, Barkley, Bridger, Peryn, & Lada.      AT dog parks she was a run and chase dog.   At home where she was most comfortable, she played with those she adored.
***BFF***BFF***BFF***BFF***BFF***BFF***BFF***BFF***BFF***

Playing with Bridger & MC

Playing with the BFFs

She lives for this.

push push push

Even in the snow

Her most favorite BFF

She loved to get up on the couch and snuggle in next to 

SHE LOVES HER DADDY

you.  For a long while, after work that was our routine.  I'd come home, let them out and then she'd climb up on the couch next to me and cuddle into me.   It was part of my wind-down.

When she wasn't out playing, her favorite thing was her spot. We placed an ottoman in my office and she would climb up on top and lay there. She'd either sleep or watch the neighborhood and bark.    

HER SPOT

This was her spot while we were at work or just out.  If I worked from home, she was there.   The window sill was dirty from her chin. The wall was scratched from her nails...  This was Athena's thing.  

If we weren't upstairs, she was either on the ottoman at the back window--looking out for either creatures or her BFF- MC.

When I would open the front door to let light or air in, she and Duchess would be right there.... watching and barking at EVERYTHING.  

Watching the neighborhood

Napping

Back Window

Enjoying the beautfiul weather

During the summer she loved to lay outside and enjoy the weather. She and Duchess could be outside forever soaking up the sun.

I'm surprised my neighbors didn't kill us for the amount of barking she would do and things beyond our sight.
 Our neighbor Sarah would joke "Oh was that a blade of grass?? BARK BARK BARK"


If she wasn't tied up and she saw someone walking...she had to run after them to say hello.  Even better if they were walking a dog.   

After getting Peryn and Lada, her most favorite thing in the world was to run back and forth with them as they played with their balls.  She didn't have to actually push the ball or chase the ball. She was happiest just running with them.

Rocky!

Toys.  She was particular with toys. She liked the floppy stuffed animal types. The types you could shake and pull out the stuffing. She had a racoon (several actually) and an elephant.  She loved to just nip at it at times.

Duchess had her toys and Athena had hers.  She loved it to the point she would sleep with it.  She was such a happy girl and enjoyed EVERYTHING.
She treasured her toys when she wasn't ripping them apart.  She would be gentle with them in between the tearing apart. Even the tearing apart was gentle.
  

She wasn't gentle with her "roll hides" .   She LOVED these things and would just go to town on them.    Gnaw gnaw gnaw.

 She was never a fan of sleeping in the bed with us.  She preferred dog beds on the floor next to us. At times she would even head to her perch and sleep in there. 
After moving a chair up to the bedroom, next to the bed (for us to sleep in when sick), that became HER bed.  

Her Bed/Throne

Every night she would climb up in bed and sleep.

She was NOT a morning dog. When it came to getting up and letting them outside, she often chose to stay in bed.  I would often bring her her morning treats to her bed because she was NOT getting up.    She loved to sleep in.

She had to be with the pack.   If Rich was in his office, Duchess would often be on the bed in there. Athena would jump up along with her and they would lie there until Rich was done or Mommy did something more important.

early AM photo  ZZZZ

For a long stretch of time, we would take the dogs to the dog park weekly.   Athena was NEVER an easy traveler.   She would whine and moan the whole ride. Barking as we neared the park.    Running free with her siblings or other dogs was what she lived for.

She loved our neighbors.  Some more than others, but she loved getting attention and affection from them.  We had friends from the dog parks whom she loved as well. She had to run up to them when she saw them and get some loving.

Athena's unbridled joy of life was something that always made me smile.   Whatever horrendous things that happened to her prior to her prior to us --were forgotten.   This girl loved everything.  She was truly an in the moment dog.

She came to us via a shared post. She had the most adorable photo ever. I loved it and showed it to Rich.  He saw it and said "I WANT HER."  I didn't even know if she was up for adoption, I just thought she was adorable.  Turns out she was up for adoption AND she was only a few hours away.

on the A Frame

We knew she had some health issues prior to picking her up and that was ok.   We didn't realize there were additional issues until we brought her home (go back to April 2014 posts).   She then began to bloom as we nursed her physical issues.   

Walking with Daddy

Athena Pupdate February 21

On Wednesday I took Athena & Volos on a small walk in the neighborhood.  Athena was sort of dragging.  I know she has her days, so I didn't dwell on it too much.   

I have noticed that she is ending up on her butt more and more. Yes she can walk and be very quick some days, but a majority of her time is ending up on her butt and needing assistance.

Friday morning as we were getting her ready in her cart and she wasn't standing right. She had her front legs forward & out a big (like a V).  She wouldn't necessarily stand up right.    While it could be that she's tired, it also has a bit worried.  

I checked in on her while at day care and she was doing it a bit with her one leg.   So something we definitely need to keep an eye on.   

She came home all happy and alert. We took her out of her cart and got her settled onto her bed.  It was also one of the rare nights that we go out.   

We were gone for maybe 3 hours and when we came home, it was a disaster.  Athena was found in the kitchen--on the floor-- stuck.  Not only that, she was on the hard flooring where there is no carpet AND to make matters EVEN BETTER.... she had gone #2.   

Gone #2 and smeared it all under her and on the floor in her efforts to get up. It was smelly, gross, and a big mess!   Rich took her out and then immediately she got a very thorough bath and I was stuck with cleaning up the smeared, dried, and nasty smelling stuff.

Poor girl. Don't know how long she was there like that. Such a traumatic experience followed up by a bath. 

Moodwise today she's still her energetic and alert self, but physically she's feeling yesterday.    I've decided to give her a break from playing this week.  I think she needs to recuperate.   Additionally we need to make sure this isn't a progression of the disease instead of just being tired.   


Progression of the disease means her timeline is shortening.  When she is no longer able to hold herself up or play in the cart, her quality of life will be non-existent.   So keep her in your thoughts.




EDIT: 2/23/2020  Today is a very bad day. She cannot stay on her legs at all. This morning when we went outside, it was a long struggle.   Inside the house hours later, she's can't hold herself up or walk or stand.   

Either this is an off day, which we hope or it's the progression of the disease (which is more likely)

Enjoying play care

Time out nap with Lada & Lada's BFF

Athena with Lil Bro

Living with Degenerative Myelopathy part 1

This is one of those posts where I have so much to say, but no idea how to present it.

If you're friend, family, or long time follower you know Athena has had a hard life prior to our adopting her.  Rich fell in love with her beautiful picture and didn't care about the rest.

BACKGROUND

She's always been a special case.   From getting her well from her multiple infections and then teaching her to do stairs and even run.   Teaching her to jump up on furniture and all the other fun stuff that dogs should know how to do.

It made our day during one of the many visits to the dog park when she was able to keep up with the other dogs running.   It took a long time to get there, but it was so worth it.

Athena LOVES being a dog.   Play with other dogs--CHECK! Get attention from people--CHECK!  Eat snacks and treats--CHECK! Get cuddles from Mom & Dad--DOUBLE CHECK!!

Athena began to really thrive when we brought home Peryn.  He really turned the 3 of them into a pack.   Peryn loved his ruff and tumble times with Duchess and equally loved light wrestling with Athena.   Lada was icing on the cake. She adored wrestling with Athena.

Athena's most favorite thing in the world though? Playing with her pack!  In the house, in the back yard, at the dog park and at play care-- if her siblings were having fun, she was right there in the middle.

Now for Athena, her idea of having fun with them was nothing more than running after them as they played and barking.  Peryn & Lada want to play, there begins Athena's barking. She had to be right in the middle of it all.

Now, as I've said she's always had issues with the back legs.  If she overdid it at the park or playcare, she'd be limping.  We'd have to allow her a few days of downtime before she could join in the shenanigans again.  

Eventually that limping became more common.  We'd notice her drag her back paw when trying to keep up with them.   Based on her history, everyone (Vet included) assumed she over did it.   Rest and a break from running.

THE SIGNS
October 2018 she came home from her day at play care and was limping a bit--nothing out of the ordinary.  The next day however she was not normal. She could not walk straight--her body was curving in a C like shape and she struggled to walk.

Immediately called in for an appointment and had her seen.  X-rays showed severe arthritis (which was expected).  We were given medication and instructed to let her rest  

She never really recovered.   She would have a good afternoon, where she would walk normal, but then later than evening she was dragging her body.    It hurt us to watch, but she never cried out in pain.

We reduced her park time and kept her out of day care for months. 
I found tools that could be used to make our lives easier (harness to help her walk and pick her up).   Living in a colonial made things difficult for the both of us.

She would throw fits if we left her in one room and went to another, on another floor.

April we decided for everyone's sake to build a ranch.  

August of 2019 we moved into our new home and she loved it. She can move among the rooms without worrying about stairs.   She could walk herself out the front door since there was only a small step.    




Also at this time, I began searching for a cart for her.   She has so much life and energy, but her body is not cooperating.   Finally found one and ordered it. 

During this time, while researching carts and other tools I found the phrase Degenerative Myelopathy.  I looked it up to see what it was and felt like I had taken a hit to the gutt.

There were pictures and videos and descriptions of ATHENA!!!  
I now knew what really was the issue and it really sucked.  REALLY REALLY SUCKED.

Initial

• Loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind legs
• Dragging the hind feet causing wearing down of the toenails.
• Hind end weakness (difficulty climbing stairs, jumping up into the car, going for walks)

Intermediate  (ATHENA)

• Knuckling of hind feet (weight bearing on the tops of the feet rather than their undersides)
• Difficulty supporting weight with hind legs
• Inability to walk without support
• Urinary and/or fecal incontinence

Advanced

• Paraplegia (paralysis of hind legs).
• Weakness in front legs.

Although this degenerative process is not painful, affected dogs can develop discomfort because of overuse of other body parts attempting to compensate for the hind end weakness.

I'm going to leave you here with a few links regarding the disease. 
http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/dm/basicdm.htm

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/degenerative-myelopathy-in-dogs



http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/canine-degenerative-myelopathy-its-dna


Athena's cart has given her a new lease on life that her body was robbing her from.   She can once again join in on the fun with her family......for a bit.

Next post will be about the day in and out of having a dog with DM.